Flickering Power Light?!

[davidtwotrees]

I am preparing to pull the trigger on a two channel amp to increase the power to my front towers. My Audio Refinement Multi-5 amp puts out 125w.
I have been looking at a couple of amps on A'Gon and EBay. A couple of Parasounds that rate 200w, and another name brand that rates 250w. The 250w amp would be my choice to double my power.......but the seller admits that the led power light occassionaly flickers.......he says this is common to the brand and that it does not affect the amps functionality. I have done some googling and there are vague references to this flickering problem, but nothing definitive.
Anyone have any thoughts on the flickering power light?! If it is strictly cosmetic, the amp is a good buy. If otherwise I would like to hear any opinions from those with electrical knowledge. TYiA. David TwoTrees

ps. mostly lurking here, but learn an awful lot from this site!
pps. i was vague about the brand of amp as i don't want someone to automatically snatch it up...........

 

[EJD]

I do know that the Acurus amps have a reputation for having that problem, so if you're talking about the A250 - it's probably no big deal if it won't bother you to look at it. I have heard Klipsch (who bought Acurus) sold a replacement LED switch for about $40. Maybe they still do.

 

[davidtwotrees]

Thanks! You were spot on, EJD!

 

[rmongiovi]

Yep, I've got one of those, now retired. First it's on, flickering off. Then after a while it's off, flickering on. Cosmetic only. Of course, it's nice to be able to glance at the amp and tell that it's on or off, and once this starts you can't trust that. But if you leave the amp on all the time you won't care (unless the flickering itself causes you a headache).

I sent email to somebody at whoever ended up buying Acurus (I forget now), and they were willing to sell me another switch at some outrageous cost. I decided the flickering didn't bother me quite that much.
Roy

 

[darien87]

I just bought an Acurus 200x3 a couple of weeks ago. My light doesn't flicker. *Knock wood*

Does anyone know where I can find info and specs on the 200x3? I bought mine on the recommendation of another member, but I can't seem to find info anywhere. Mine makes a little hum and I'm wondering what it could be. It's not a hum that comes through the speakers or anything, just the amp itself making a little noise. Is this common for the 200x3 or amps in general?

I tried moving my cables around a little and grounding the amp chassis to a couple different places and the hum didn't go away.

 

[davidtwotrees]

Accuracy in the USofA

Hey. I pulled the trigger on an Acurus A250 on ebay. The auction ended last night. I was "secretive" on here originally as I didn't want to draw attention to the auction. The seller was up front about the flickering light, and I think it scared other bidders away. $440 delivered. I will double the watts on my fronts and I can't wait to play some reference material to see if it takes me up a notch.........
I was in touch with Mondial Support at the Klipsch Group and they assured me the problem was cosmetic, but if I wanted the switch, which contains the led light, it was $29.99 plus shipping. We'll see.
Drien, if you go to :
http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/default.aspx?GroupID=6

...I bet you can get some answers on your amp. There are forums like this one as well as fast answers from tech support. I asked a question at 9pm and was answered the next day pronto. HTH......David TwoTrees

 

[EJD]

Great find David. The A250 was in many reference systems back in the day. I would be interested to hear how you like it.

Darien - while there aren't a ton of specs listed, you can find general info on the 200x3 and the manual here.

In terms of the noise, since it is coming from the amp itself and not the speakers, I would suspect it is transformer hum. Does it make the noise when it is plugged into a separate circuit with nothing attached (no inputs) into it? It has been a long time since I have been up close to an Acurus, so I can't say whether or not it should be doing that, but it isn't really an uncommon thing. It may be nothing or it may be something like the power supply has gotten slightly loosened upon shipping or with lots of movement. You could also temporarily try a cheater plug to see if it is a ground loop issue.

 

[darien87]

Thanks for the help guys.

Hey David,

Let us know what you think of the amp after you've had it for a bit. So far I'm really liking my 200x3, (other than that little hum). It's definitely a step up from my receiver.

 

[davidtwotrees]

Yeah, I'm getting the amp and also finally broke down and got a power center. I need to settle down and say my rig is fine for a while. I am going to start saving for some new fronts, I think. I really like the side firing sub woofers built into my Mordy Short 502's, but to get to the next level I need get some speaks....dynaudios, thiel, focal....but those are really a strain financially and will take some time.....in the meanwhile, my rig sounds great....just got the Tierney Sutton sacd Something Cool and it sounds awse.
God I love this hobby!