|
|
Post by aktwits on May 14, 2016 23:21:36 GMT -5
I have an XPA-3 that goes into Protect Mode at random times. It is always the center channel LED that is blinking red when it goes into protect mode. It will work normally for a few hours each day but it will eventually go into Protect Mode. After cycling the power, it will randomly start going into Protect Mode more frequently (maybe once or twice an hour). Heat doesn’t seem to be an issue since it’s in an open cabinet and the XPA-3 doesn’t feel warm.
After reading the Emotiva forum, others said they fixed this issue by replacing the RCA cable. I’ve replaced all three RCA cables running from my Pioneer SC-35 receiver to the XPA-3 and ran new speaker wire from the XPA-3 to the center channel to no avail. I also bought a RCA-to-XLR cable for the center channel but it still goes into Protect Mode as frequently as the RCA cables.
I have a different XPA-3 in my basement that has worked flawlessly for years. It is hooked up to a Pioneer VSX-53 receiver. I decided to swap that one out with the one from my living room that keeps going into Protect Mode. After doing that, the XPA-3 still went into Protect Mode after a couple hours with the center channel blinking red. This is a completely different 7.2 home theater setup so that leads me to believe there is an issue with the XPA-3.
I contacted Emotiva Support and that XPA-3 is out of warranty. They suggested I swap the center channel RCA and speaker connection with the right speaker on the amp. I did that but it still goes into protect mode with the center channel blinking red. They said the non-warranty repair could easily get up into the $300's, but only if they could replicate the problem.
So I'm curious if anybody else has experienced similar issues and fixed it themselves or has any suggestions that I can try? Any help is appreciated. I hate to see this good amp go to waste since it might be cost prohibitive to send it in to Emotiva to try and fix the problem.
Thanks,
Al
|
|
|
|
Post by novisnick on May 14, 2016 23:35:59 GMT -5
I have an XPA-3 that goes into Protect Mode at random times. It is always the center channel LED that is blinking red when it goes into protect mode. It will work normally for a few hours each day but it will eventually go into Protect Mode. After cycling the power, it will randomly start going into Protect Mode more frequently (maybe once or twice an hour). Heat doesn’t seem to be an issue since it’s in an open cabinet and the XPA-3 doesn’t feel warm. After reading the Emotiva forum, others said they fixed this issue by replacing the RCA cable. I’ve replaced all three RCA cables running from my Pioneer SC-35 receiver to the XPA-3 and ran new speaker wire from the XPA-3 to the center channel to no avail. I also bought a RCA-to-XLR cable for the center channel but it still goes into Protect Mode as frequently as the RCA cables. I have a different XPA-3 in my basement that has worked flawlessly for years. It is hooked up to a Pioneer VSX-53 receiver. I decided to swap that one out with the one from my living room that keeps going into Protect Mode. After doing that, the XPA-3 still went into Protect Mode after a couple hours with the center channel blinking red. This is a completely different 7.2 home theater setup so that leads me to believe there is an issue with the XPA-3. I contacted Emotiva Support and that XPA-3 is out of warranty. They suggested I swap the center channel RCA and speaker connection with the right speaker on the amp. I did that but it still goes into protect mode with the center channel blinking red. They said the non-warranty repair could easily get up into the $300's, but only if they could replicate the problem. So I'm curious if anybody else has experienced similar issues and fixed it themselves or has any suggestions that I can try? Any help is appreciated. I hate to see this good amp go to waste since it might be cost prohibitive to send it in to Emotiva to try and fix the problem. Thanks, Al Just for SAG, have you tried running it as just a two channel amp? Please report back your results. Thanks! Good luck!  |
|
|
|
Post by aktwits on May 14, 2016 23:48:25 GMT -5
No I haven't. I suppose that is an option to not connect anything to the center channel of the amp and see if I can at least keep it as a two channel amp. I'll try that and see how it acts. Thanks for the suggestion!
|
|
|
|
Post by vcautokid on May 15, 2016 0:01:05 GMT -5
The RCA connector on the XPA-3 on the center channel, is it loose at all. Also there could be a suspect solder connection on the center channel RCA connector that has cracked causing in intermittent connection creating the protection fault. It could be as simple as that. After that, it could be something in that amp module itself.
|
|
|
|
Post by aktwits on May 15, 2016 0:20:26 GMT -5
The RCA connector on the XPA-3 on the center channel, is it loose at all. Also there could be a suspect solder connection on the center channel RCA connector that has cracked causing in intermittent connection creating the protection fault. It could be as simple as that. After that, it could be something in that amp module itself. The center channel RCA isn't loose but the right channel is. I bought the RCA-to-XLR cable to run from my receiver to the center channel to see if the center channel RCA was the problem but the XPA-3 went into protect mode even when using the center channel XLR connection. |
|
|
|
Post by leonski on May 15, 2016 1:31:39 GMT -5
Sounds like a COLD SOLDER which is flexing when warm and losing contact. It could also be a transistor 'breaking down' when warm.
Will EMO cough up the schematic so a tech can look at it?
MOST techs will waive the diagnosis fee IF you go ahead and actually get the repair.
I know what I'd do, get a can of COLD spray. But I worked as a tech for years and work safe and am not particularly scared of popping the case on an amp.
TAKE IT TO A TECH FOR FIX> It could be something as simple as reflowing a couple solder joints.
Now is NOT the time to 'skimp'
|
|
|
|
Post by aktwits on May 15, 2016 10:22:28 GMT -5
Sounds like a COLD SOLDER which is flexing when warm and losing contact. It could also be a transistor 'breaking down' when warm. Will EMO cough up the schematic so a tech can look at it? MOST techs will waive the diagnosis fee IF you go ahead and actually get the repair. I know what I'd do, get a can of COLD spray. But I worked as a tech for years and work safe and am not particularly scared of popping the case on an amp. TAKE IT TO A TECH FOR FIX> It could be something as simple as reflowing a couple solder joints. Now is NOT the time to 'skimp' Thanks for the suggestions. I really didn't want to deal with shipping back and forth to Emotiva and I never even thought about finding a place to repair it locally. I think I will just take it to a local tech to fix. |
|
|
|
Post by leonski on May 15, 2016 13:08:15 GMT -5
Shop around for a tech. not all are created equal. Make sure the tech can get or already has the schematic.
Maybe call EMO support? Some companies, like OPPO (BR / DVD players) don't give out this information.
From where you are? Maybe Chicago would have the best chance of a top guy? Network with friends to find
a tech. Anyone who has recently had a TV fixed would be a candidate.
|
|
|
|
Post by shepdog on Jul 18, 2016 13:33:09 GMT -5
Just information on cost to repair.
I live in the Dallas area and just dropped my xpa3 off to fix 3 loose rca inputs. $150 labor. $50 parts. $75 diagnostic fee included.
I know the Tiffany rca's are about $4 each
Probably $100 more than I anticipated but I love this amp.
|
|
|
|
Post by leonski on Jul 19, 2016 21:55:55 GMT -5
Good Info, Shepdog. When I had a TV fixed many years ago, I mentally fixed a 'not to exceed' price in my brain. Exceeding that value would have 'junked' what was otherwise a decent (not great) TV. It was the LAST of the Panasonic 36" round front (last before 'flat screen') CRT models. It weighed maybe 100lb or MORE. Cold solder joints were reflowed and 1 IC replaced.
Since you had the amp fixed, all the techs I Know would 'waive' the diagnostic fee altogether.
|
|
