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Post by altpensacola on Mar 21, 2023 18:11:39 GMT -5
OK, Emotiva XPA 5, at least 15 years old.
While in operation one night, there was a static sound and because the room was dim, I actually saw the orange glow, for a few seconds. I quickly powered down the unit.
The burn mark is on the capacitor board on the back left capacitor and a small diode or transistor next to it. The amp actually still powers on and plays without distortion or static.
To fix it with shipping will be at least 500 dollars. Even though Emotiva's repair plan sounds solid, the shipping with insurance almost doubles the cost. I was attempting a local repair but haven't had any luck so far. It sounds like a simple fix, but I am not an electrician.
It also seems like it is working, just without the capacitor reserve normally available (if only 1 capacitor went out). I realize there could be other problems or other capacitors needing replacement too. Or a fire hazard.
In the meantime, I found out I don't really need this thing. When I bought it, I did, but my original AVR was replaced with a Marantz 7008 that is playing at reference levels without it, though I haven't pushed it.
I was thinking of moving on, to maybe a 2-channel external amp and selling the XPA-5.
Anyone here have thoughts or a similar experience?
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Post by vcautokid on Mar 22, 2023 8:52:22 GMT -5
You could look at Electrolytic Capacitors replacement as a maintenance thing as they will eventually go out of spec, have high ESR, or just short out like a resistor. There is no real axiom on when to replace them.
I think 15 years is getting close to that threshold. Note replacing the capacitors is no guarantee that would resolve the issue you are having. Could be almost anything related to that circuit or anything ahead or behind. Buying a new amplifier that does what the XPA-5 does will be expensive. Fixing this one including freight, may be close to new or not depending on what you might be looking at to replace the XPA-5 if that is the next move.
The XPA-5 has more common parts that other amplifiers use. Only the controller is unique to the XPA family. Something to be aware of. So it is a personal decision how and where you might want to go.
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cawgijoe
Emo VIPs 
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it." - Yogi Berra
Posts: 5,032
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Post by cawgijoe on Mar 22, 2023 9:30:27 GMT -5
A current XPA-2 will cost you $1,200 plus tax. I would contact Emotiva and ask what the cost of repair would be for the amp. I know they have a "fixed" repair charge. Once you know what that is, you can decide whether to get it fixed and keep it, or fix and sell it, or not fix it and sell it for whatever you can get for it. If you sell as is, you at least have current information for a buyer on what it would cost to repair.
XPA-5 is currently $1,799 plus tax.
If I didn't need it, and would like a 2-channel amp, I would likely just sell it for whatever you can get and put the proceeds towards the new amp.
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Post by altpensacola on Mar 22, 2023 18:53:53 GMT -5
The fixed repair charge is around $300 after tax. One shipping quote was near $150, not including insurance which Emotiva recommends.
If Franklin was close, I'd have it fixed by now!
The only 2 local people I have talked about looking at it said they would have to research how it works and did not sound confident!
One was recommended by the only electronic repair shop in town, who said they don't do amps. Same guy was recommended by a local who is a major seller of used audio equipment. (I figured he would know who fixes this stuff.)
I think my first strategy is to see if there is a market, local, "as is".
Will research possible worth.
Thanks for the responses.
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Post by leonski on Mar 27, 2023 16:02:03 GMT -5
OK, Emotiva XPA 5, at least 15 years old. While in operation one night, there was a static sound and because the room was dim, I actually saw the orange glow, for a few seconds. I quickly powered down the unit. The burn mark is on the capacitor board on the back left capacitor and a small diode or transistor next to it. The amp actually still powers on and plays without distortion or static. To fix it with shipping will be at least 500 dollars. Even though Emotiva's repair plan sounds solid, the shipping with insurance almost doubles the cost. I was attempting a local repair but haven't had any luck so far. It sounds like a simple fix, but I am not an electrician. It also seems like it is working, just without the capacitor reserve normally available (if only 1 capacitor went out). I realize there could be other problems or other capacitors needing replacement too. Or a fire hazard. In the meantime, I found out I don't really need this thing. When I bought it, I did, but my original AVR was replaced with a Marantz 7008 that is playing at reference levels without it, though I haven't pushed it. I was thinking of moving on, to maybe a 2-channel external amp and selling the XPA-5. Anyone here have thoughts or a similar experience? An electrician will do the wiring in your house, not fix your amp. You need a technician or electronics technician......Somebody who has a particular skillset, tools and training. And you will need to provide this local person WITH the Schematic of the amp. A Schematic is sort of 'the plan' or 'blueprint' OF the amp and shows all parts and how they are connected. EMOTIVA should be able to provide you such a schematic for the cost of a postage stamp.... Just for giggles? A DIODE will have 2 poles. And ONE end will typically have a stripe or other marking for ONE pole. It matters which way it goes in...... A resistor? will have COLOR BANDS which when 'decoded' call out the value of the part. It is NOT polar and can go in either way......the SIZE of this part will be a measure of heat dissipation. A small resistor may be 1/2 watt or so.....While a JUMBO part will be 5 watts or perhaps more...... Transistors and some other devices (like an SCR, for example) may have 3 poles. And that's where the MAGIC happens... UNPLUG and leave OFF until fixed. Are you NUTS? Fire hazard, while low probability IS on the radar. And since this stuff doesn't fix itself? You risk additional and more COSTLY damage if you continue to use it. I wish you'd posted a photo. SOUNDS like you toasted a 'trace' (conductive path) on the circuit board. If what you identified as a capacitor IS a capacitor and part of one of the amplifier channels? I'd replace ALL such caps on ALL of the 5 amplifier boards. If it was a PS capacitor (one of the larger 'cans') ALL of those should be replaced as well..... This is NOT the time for a cheap or 'make-do' repair. I wonder how you know you have less 'capacitor reserve'? Unless you play at Nose Bleed levels (and have neighbors beating on your door) the chances of tapping the available power is very slim.....IF you are using this amp in an HT setup, such speakers are not typically a 'difficult' or power consuming load to a huge extent.....5watts and no more than 10 watts per speaker is LOUD.... If you are happy with your Marantz? Maybe sell the XPA-5 for parts? And do so LOCAL. Which is another suggestion. If you live near a larger city.....You MAY be able to get in touch with the local 'audio society'. This is a terrific 'in' and someone can probably direct you to the technical help you need. Shipping IS a bear.....and an expensive one, at that. PACKING for a drop off a 3-story building is IMPORTANT and close to what the shipper will put your package thru..... |
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Post by leonski on Mar 28, 2023 15:32:15 GMT -5
Fix it Notes:
first? Get in touch with a local Audio Society. I see one in Atlanta and other large cities should follow suit.
They will be able to recommend a GOOD TECHNICIAN.....
Such a technician will get a diagnosis fee. If his estimate exceeds what you are willing to pay? Pay it and sell for parts
to cover estimate / shipping......
If you go ahead with a repair? Diagnosis fee is WAIVED.....usually.
But the disadvantage? If the amp fails again you will be angry. 'Why didn't he fix it'? Well, it IS an older amp and Stuff does fail.......
Your name? Implies you live in old Pensacola.....on the panhandle of Florida. You should be able to get to any number of one-day drives
to deliver to a good tech....
Sorry, but I personally HATE shipping which for me, requires amp be packed to survive a drop off a 3 story building......
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Post by altpensacola on Mar 28, 2023 16:30:41 GMT -5
The "old amp" is in a box, waiting to see if some local wants to buy it for parts.
I unplugged it that night.
Electrician, technician, sleep well.
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Post by leonski on Mar 29, 2023 18:28:45 GMT -5
Slightly deeper 'inspection' may show fault.
Amp cosists of a power supply and modules....
So if the whole amp goes down? Start with PS
If one channel goes down? That's of course where to start.
Decent amp with a good reputation which MAY be salvageable......
I hope you get at least some kind of reasonable offer......From someone who will get it serviced....
Is Pensacola Florida right guess? If you have connections? Maybe a tech on base would be willing
to buy it for HIS personal 'fix'?
cheers......
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Post by leonski on Mar 30, 2023 15:47:41 GMT -5
One OTHER minor item.
I doubt any proprietary parts in the amp. All should be available from any electronics supply house. Digitkey or 'other'.
ONE deal breaker exception? The CIRCUIT BOARDS, which if toasted, are probably not repairable. I spent time fixing that
sort of thing....and would SCRAPE out all 'charcoal' (conductive) from meltdowns and string new wires in place of a trace.
This was with mixed results. And for equipment in a factory where working was most important. And we had some older
gear which simply had NO parts available. We even had to go to a transistor substitution book a few times to try to get
something working which was down....and needed.....
Hope this works out!
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