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Post by bluemeanies on Feb 19, 2014 9:37:57 GMT -5
In a previous thread "XPA DISTORTION" in short the issue was that when turning on the XPA 1's before any volume was introduced the blue LED lights would move across the front panels of both amps with noise coming from the speakers. When ALL cables...new speaker cables and new balanced cables were disconnected the same problem would occur ( blue LED light move across front panel) but of course there was no noise since all cables were disconnected. Both amps were plugged into a dedicated 20amp outlet. When the problem first started about ten days after I was using the XPA's. I also tried a different outlet. 15 amp circuit with the same results.
I called Emotiva and they told me to ship both amps back. Anyway I received and email from Emotiva which I am posting. I do not doubt Emotiva's claim. That is not why I am posting this email.
Perhaps someone has a thought on this issue.
EDIT FROM ANDREW ROBINSON: I've edited this post, mildly, but have not completely removed the customer's private correspondence with our technician because I feel it was not posted in anger. However, understand that our policy is to remove any and all private correspondence between Emotiva and its customers, but in this rare case I feel it shows our commitment to customer service. I've written the OP a private message also informing him of our policies. If anyone has any further knowledge or troubleshooting advice they would like to share to help the OP we're all for it, and please respond in kind below. Thank you and carry on.
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Post by garbulky on Feb 19, 2014 9:44:01 GMT -5
Well they offered to exchange the amps. That is a kind offer considering they found nothing wrong. Take the offer and then figure out what's wrong with your setup.
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Post by villock on Feb 19, 2014 9:49:42 GMT -5
Seems to me like you have some work to do.
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Post by bolle on Feb 19, 2014 9:55:03 GMT -5
Try to switch off all other electric components / circuits and test again. Perhaps your electricity is really "dirty" or some device running in your house is polluting the line.
Did you try a (powerful) power conditioner?
Btw. you don´t need to make a new thread for everything - you have at least 6 threads about your XPA-1s on the first page of the XPA-1 board.
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Post by bluemeanies on Feb 19, 2014 10:12:55 GMT -5
Have a Furman Elite power conditioner.
Dirty electricity?
Possible
But if that were so why I am not having an issue with my Outlaw 7700?
So to the Tech and he did say the issue would not damage the amps.
The issue also does not happen all of the time.
Waiting to hear back from Emotiva.
No matter what I still want the XPA's.
Since everything was disconnected except the power cords that is where I might start.
Sorry for the many THREADS
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Post by linvincible on Feb 19, 2014 10:33:54 GMT -5
Hi Blue,
I have a similar behaviour on one of my XPA-1s (G2). Only 1 out of the 4 does it, I use them in by amping but it did it also when I was burning them in in mono-amping before I received the XSP-1.
It's only transient in my case, right after startup, and only in A/B mode when it is cold.
When in class A mode or warm, I have no issues when turning it off and back on.
Just like you I can see dancing leds and hear a loud low hum from the speaker, that fades out as the leds quiet down.
Using same setup and same cables on the other amp does not generate any problem, and I have very short cables. Maybe I can test the power cable, it's the only thing I haven't switched yet.
I'm in contact with the support already and they are thinking about it ;o) I'll let you know!
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Post by bluemeanies on Feb 19, 2014 14:17:29 GMT -5
I called Emotiva back today at 2pm and the decision to replace the amps was made. The new amps are being shipped tomorrow. Understanding of course that if the same problem exist it is an issue NOT relating to the amps.
For my peace of mind I am happy with Emotiva's decision to send me a new pair of XPA1 amplifiers. Knowing that the amps will be new if the same issue persists I intend to purchase a more heavy duty power cords and also take another look at my system
That being said the truth of the matter is that the issue is there with or without the cables connected to the XPA's and therefore in IMHO that it could be a voltage or another hidden electrical problem that raises it's ugly head from time to time.
I was told that if the issue continues it is not something that will damage the amplifier.
To say the least I am very happy with Emotiva's customer service....starting with Nick.
Thanks again Emotiva
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Post by garbulky on Feb 19, 2014 14:40:08 GMT -5
Bluemeanies.
Did you happen to try the XPA-1's with nothing plugged in test through the furmann?
The XPA-1 L's which had the class A switch when they were first introduced had recalls on certain units due to a distortion like sound coming during turning on. It was also mentioned that something to do with a power conditioner caused an issue (maybe unrelated) which caused a distortion like sound in certain cases. Now I'm not trying to say that the XPA-1 gen 2's are faulty as I think it takes more evidence than an isolated problem which could point to all kinds of wierd reasons.
But just in case - I would try it direct to the wall - no power conditioner - AND switch out the power cord on any amp that may appear faulty. And if that messes up try it on a completely different circuit. Take it to a friends if you need to! That way you can isolate the problem better.
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Post by bluemeanies on Feb 19, 2014 16:27:31 GMT -5
Thanks for your input garbulky. Both XPA's were plugged directly into a dedicated 20 amp circuit never in the Furman. When I recognized this problem I try a different circuit...15 amp. Still the issue arouse. I also have an Outlaw 7700 amp which is plugged into a dedicated 15amp circuit with no problem that powers my surrounds.
This is something really unique IMHO.
Your thought of taking the amps to a friends house is a good idea and a possibility.
If the problem still persists I intend to start with purchasing new power cords since the issue still existed with only the power cords being in use. My main concern was that if the problem cannot be found that that XPA's will not be damaged. Emotiva told me that no damage to the amps would occur.
It's not something that happens each time the amps are turned on.
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Post by garbulky on Feb 19, 2014 17:10:23 GMT -5
You mentioned only one of them showed an issue. You could switch the power cord on the functioning XPA-1 and see if it happens.
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Post by bluemeanies on Feb 19, 2014 17:34:46 GMT -5
Both amps had the issue.
I stated that in previous posts.
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Post by garbulky on Feb 19, 2014 19:26:18 GMT -5
Best of luck. I know this must be frustrating. It's probably some tiny thing that makes you go "doah!" causing all this trouble!
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Post by bitsandbytes on Feb 19, 2014 22:22:42 GMT -5
Sorry you going through so much frustration. Glad that Emotiva are stand up guys and sending you back two new amps even though they could not duplicate the dancing blue lights. Noteworthy customer service  If Emotiva tested using each amp's own power cords, they are not the issue. Hopefully this will not occur again. If it does, perhaps you could manually turn on your amps by depressing the standby button on front of your amp before turning on the rest of your system. This may stop the distortion from shooting into your speakers until the amps are stabilized. Good luck to you and linvincible. |
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Post by audiobill on Feb 20, 2014 4:29:25 GMT -5
IMO, power cords won't change anything.
I'd leave the amps on for a couple days straight - if anything, sounds like capacitors settling in....
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Post by bluemeanies on Feb 20, 2014 16:46:01 GMT -5
Looking forward to receiving NEW XPA1's AGAIN.
Decided to purchase two heavy duty power cords. I know that this may or may not be the issue but I what to make sure I am doing everything on my end in solving this small but annoying issue.
Taking your advice audiobill and bistandbytes advice. Leaving the amps on for at least 48 hours and not use the trigger cables. Manually turning them on. Beyond these practices and new addition to the system I don't know what else I can do.
Hopefully everything will be fine.
In conclusion to my sad tale some people have advise me to check and recheck connections and everything related with my system. The XPA's were plugged into more than one dedicated outlet with nothing else on the line and I had the same problem. Even without any cables except the power cord the same issue arose with both amps. Nothing else in my system was or had been non-performing. There were no weak links in my system, it was performing flawlessly before the XPA's were introduced.
This is NOT to say that I believe there is something wrong with Emotiva products or that the two amplifiers I received were faulty. Anyone I have been speaking to here at home has been perplexed with this issue.
It's a Phantom weakness...that so far cannot be found.
Again thanks to Nick at Emoiva for his concern and prompt response....it was greatly appreciated.
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Post by TUGA Audiophile on Feb 20, 2014 17:27:12 GMT -5
IMO, power cords won't change anything. I'd leave the amps on for a couple days straight - if anything, sounds like capacitors settling in.... +1 That's right, the power cords of the XPA-1s are extremely good. |
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Post by bluemeanies on Feb 20, 2014 20:42:33 GMT -5
IMO, power cords won't change anything. I'd leave the amps on for a couple days straight - if anything, sounds like capacitors settling in.... +1 That's right, the power cords of the XPA-1s are extremely good. If anything the power cords were for my peace of mind. I have tried everything else. From disconnecting cables to changing outlets and also having an electrician checking a couple of circuits. Maybe the amps were haunted? |
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Post by routlaw on Feb 20, 2014 21:58:04 GMT -5
If anything the power cords were for my peace of mind. I have tried everything else. From disconnecting cables to changing outlets and also having an electrician checking a couple of circuits. Maybe the amps were haunted? I doubt the amps are haunted, bought a pair of these myself back in Nov and initially had some ground loop hum and hissing which I have mostly worked out with just a tiny bit of noise if you put your head right next to the speakers. More on this later. I will add though I do not turn off my gear or put it into standby mode unless we are away for awhile. However I have never run into what you are describing either. I would suggest the following once you get your new amps back in the system. First make absolutely sure you have the switch properly set for XLR or RCA interconnects at the back of the amps. But before doing this hook up your speakers to the amps with absolutely nothing else connected to the amps, ie interconnects, various sources etc. Turn amps on, and see if you get the same results of noise. If no noise, then one by one start connecting your input sources making sure to put amps into standby mode before connecting source devices. Don't do them all at once just one by one. Yes its a tedious somewhat laborious process but this should get to the root of the matter. Andrew described this method for me in an effort to determine where my ground loop hum and hiss was coming from and have to say its by far the most intelligent and effective way of tracing noise in the system. And while it doesn't sound like your issue is a GLH I see no reason why it should not be effective for tracking down the culprit for induced noise. In my own system it turned out to be my Oppo 103 player at the root of the problem. There is nothing wrong with the Oppo, far from it but it was directly driving 3 of the channels, C, RS, LS via RCA interconnects that are 5 meters long ± an inch or two. Its a complex system with a massive amount of all sorts of cables in the area. After re-routing my cables some half dozen times finally I was able to eliminate roughly 95% of my noise, once I bring a Pre-Pro into the loop with all XLR balanced lines I am fairly sure this will nip in the bud any remaining noise. I should add before my final re-route of cables I set the oppo player right on top of my XPA-3 and using 5, 1 meter IC"s into each of the amp inputs found this to be quiet as a church mouse. The point to all this is cables, especially long ones and depending on the system unshielded ones can pick up an incredible amount of noise. This is one argument in favor of shielded power chords if for no other reason they aren't polluting the various other cables in the adjacent area. Hopefully this makes sense and you will find it helpful. Exercising noise from audio systems is not fun. |
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Post by linvincible on Feb 21, 2014 3:50:28 GMT -5
hello all,
update on my issue : I re-tested yesterday a cold start of my noisy-starting amp, and... nothing happenned.
I tried several times, in all modes and all cables in, still nothing.
So it looks like it has settled down on its own!
I'm glad I can keep my amp and don't have to break-in another one ;o)
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Post by bluemeanies on Feb 21, 2014 7:06:25 GMT -5
I am happy for you linvincible.
Glad the issue is a non issue now.
In my situation there were times where the XPA's acted normal but eventually the distraction came back.
I wish you luck but if it happens again I would waste no time and call Emotiva.
PS Speaking to Nick at Emotiva I asked the question could the problem damage the amp and his response was "no".
Thought you would like to know.
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