Help, Linn classik no sound

[BobyYoo]

Hi everyone,

There is no sound coming out of my Linn Classik anymore.
Here is what I did:

- Connect a set of speaker cable from bookshelf speakers to Linn Classik.
- Connect another set of speaker cable from SAME bookshelf speakers to Sony ES amp. Rega cdp is connected to Sony amp.
- Turned on Classik and played few cds.
- Turned off Classik by the power switch button, turned on Sony amp, Rega cdp and played some cds.
- Turned the volume loud on the Sony amp to about 1/3 of the volume knob, at this point, I saw for a fraction of second the Classik green lights turned on and went off. The Sony amp display indicated "PROTECTOR". At this point, the sony amp had no sound. I had to power off and on again to make it back to normal.
- Turned off the Sony amp and Rega, turned on Classik.
- After this point, the Classik was able to play cds but no sound came out from the speakers.
- Tried connecting the pre-out and there are sounds coming out.

Looks like by increasing the volume very high created enough current that went from the speakers via the speaker cable to the Classik outputs.

I think I might have fried something in the Linn Classik probably the amp part although the cdp and pre-out are still ok.

Anybody have an idea what is the problem? Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[bandphan]

fuses in the unit? and what was the purpose of this config?

 

[markw]

It's not wise to connect one set of speakers to two amps simultaneously,

It's an impedance thing, and some amps are very touchy about that.

Even if you fully intend to (and do) only play one amp at a time, odds are at least one is not gonna like it and express it's displeasure by going silent.

Murphy's Law of Audio dictates that it'll be the more expensive of the two.

 

[markw]

Actually, I misspoke'

It's not an impedance thing. A power amp's output should not be connected to another power amp's output. The technical reasons are beyone me but I think it's got something like when the "working" power amp is doing it's thing, the "other" power amp is trying to input that signal through it's output stage.

 

[BobyYoo]

We were testing them to see how different the 2 amps was.

there is only a power fuse and it is good. The unit still power on and the cd player work through the pre out.

so what could be the problem, can this be fixed?

 

[markw]

We were testing them to see how different the 2 amps was.

Well? Which amp won?

That's not a good way to test them. That's like driving a car off a 200 foot cliff to see how well built it is.

there is only a power fuse and it is good. The unit still power on and the cd player work through the pre out.

Well, that's a good sign that they appear to work at least. Sorry to say, you most likely killed the amp section.

so what could be the problem, can this be fixed?

Dunno exactly what, but you killed sumptin' in the amp section, but I'm sure it can be fixed. Trust me, you can't fix it yourself. Search out an authorized repair station.

Seriously, good luck. you're gonna need it.

That's an 8 grand unit, isn't it? Maybe you can get it fixed under warranty. For that kinda scratch, I'd expect some wunnerful service.

 

[Seth=L]

You really messed that up. I did something similar to that by accidentally picking up the wrong speaker wire once, but that was only a $300 receiver. When the speaker wires coming from the Linn are touching the ones from the Sony it sent power signals to one another, it's possible they are both damaged. You essentially made them attempt to work completely backwards, this always blows parts up. Be glad yours didn't catch fire, mine did.

 

[BobyYoo]

i paid the classik $700 used a couple of months ago.

well, i got lucky i guess, the sony amp still work properly.

When that happened, the sony amp got muted right away and "protector" was displayed in the display.
I turned off the amp and power on again, and it worked good so far.

there is probably some sort of protection in the sony amp that prevented from being damage, thats why "protector" was shown

at this point, i will bring the Linn to a shop and find out.

 

[Seth=L]

i paid the classik $700 used a couple of months ago.

well, i got lucky i guess, the sony amp still work properly.

When that happened, the sony amp got muted right away and "protector" was displayed in the display.
I turned off the amp and power on again, and it worked good so far.

there is probably some sort of protection in the sony amp that prevented from being damage, thats why "protector" was shown

at this point, i will bring the Linn to a shop and find out.

Well let me say this. When a piece of equipment like the Sony senses a short, it shuts off as soon as possible. When power is being fed directly into an output, the circuits will most likely be damaged before the protection can be activated. The more important use of fuses and protection circuits is to avoid a fire hazard, and not so much prevent damage to the equipment itself. Electricity moves very fast, as do fuses and protection circuits. Those fuses and protections circuits just aren't as fast.

 

[BobyYoo]

The weird thing is that we did the opposite before the Linn went dead.

meaning, i turn off the sony amp and I played the Linn.
Nothing happened to the sony amp while doing that.

Especially that the sony amp was turn off only by standby button. As for the Linn, when i turn it off, it was with the power switch push-button which is suppose to turn off completely but it still got damage.

 

[Seth=L]

The weird thing is that we did the opposite before the Linn went dead.

meaning, i turn off the sony amp and I played the Linn.
Nothing happened to the sony amp while doing that.

Especially that the sony amp was turn off only by standby button. As for the Linn, when i turn it off, it was with the power switch push-button which is suppose to turn off completely but it still got damage.

The Sony for a fact has relays. When you turn the Sony on it probably has a click sound when it's ready for action. When shut off it makes another click sound, that's the relays opening, not allowing anything to leave or enter the amplifier section through the speaker outputs when the unit is off.

The Linn might not have relays like that and might have the amplifier still on when it standby (when shut off by remote, not hard shut off). It's likely that the Linn's speaker connectors where still in the closed line with the amplifier, even though the unit was in a manner of speaking "off" but truthfully it's still on. That's the most likely scenario, and it won't exactly be cheap. There will be a blown fuse inside the Linn, if you replace it is likely it will blow again and more parts could be damaged in the time it takes for the fuse to blow. I don't recommend replacing that fuse. You should absolutely take it in to be serviced by a certified technician. Be sure that the technician is certified or is allowed to work on the Linn by contacting Linn, unless your Linn is out of warranty. It's still a good idea to get a certified technician because they may need to order parts from Linn specifically.

 

[BobyYoo]

yes you're right, the sony has that click sound when turn on and off.

The warranty is over, the Linn was sold in 1999.

I will try to find a Linn dealer in my area, im not sure if there are authorize technician. At this point i have no choice.

thanks for the help
I will keep you guys posted.

 

[Seth=L]

yes you're right, the sony has that click sound when turn on and off.

The warranty is over, the Linn was sold in 1999.

I will try to find a Linn dealer in my area, im not sure if there are authorize technician. At this point i have no choice.

thanks for the help
I will keep you guys posted.

Good luck, I hope the repairs aren't too costly. Maybe it'll just be a couple of resistors and capacitors plus the fuse/s.

 

[B3Nut]

I'd hazard that the Linn's output devices are toast. The full current of the other amplifier was dumped into the emitters of the Linn's transistors. I find it a bit amusing that enough current was forced into the Linn to illuminate some of its LED's...and find it amazing that the Sony even held up for a period of time before going into protect!

It's also amusing that an amplifier as expensive as that Linn lacked output protect relays...they are absolutely essential for protecting speakers from output transistor failure. There really isn't an excuse for leaving protection circuitry off of a commercially-produced amplifier, and the designers of this unit earn a Fail.

An expensive lesson was learned here, to be sure.

 

[Seth=L]

I'd hazard that the Linn's output devices are toast. The full current of the other amplifier was dumped into the emitters of the Linn's transistors. I find it a bit amusing that enough current was forced into the Linn to illuminate some of its LED's...and find it amazing that the Sony even held up for a period of time before going into protect!

It's also amusing that an amplifier as expensive as that Linn lacked output protect relays...they are absolutely essential for protecting speakers from output transistor failure. There really isn't an excuse for leaving protection circuitry off of a commercially-produced amplifier, and the designers of this unit earn a Fail.

An expensive lesson was learned here, to be sure.

Linn figures if they make their equipment well enough it shouldn't need repair if it's used properly. If they wanted it to be completely silent, which I assume was the goal, having relays would make a sound. That's my thought on why they did it.

 

[bandphan]

seth makes a good point, as stated in another thread sunday, there isnt much to go wrong with good amps, if they are not abused.

 

[BobyYoo]

well i went to a store today and the guy said it seem to be a big problem and he doesn't know how to fix it. He said he must send it to a linn dealer and it will cost shipping and it will take time to get it back.

He offered me an exchange with a linn majik amp that i saw in the store which looked cool and we made a deal for a trade-in.

 

[TLS Guy]

I'd hazard that the Linn's output devices are toast. The full current of the other amplifier was dumped into the emitters of the Linn's transistors. I find it a bit amusing that enough current was forced into the Linn to illuminate some of its LED's...and find it amazing that the Sony even held up for a period of time before going into protect!

It's also amusing that an amplifier as expensive as that Linn lacked output protect relays...they are absolutely essential for protecting speakers from output transistor failure. There really isn't an excuse for leaving protection circuitry off of a commercially-produced amplifier, and the designers of this unit earn a Fail.

An expensive lesson was learned here, to be sure.

The fact that this abuse blew up the Linn does not mean it does not have protection, In fact it likely does or the guys speakers would be blown up. The protection is to stop the rail DC blowing the speakers in the event of output device failure, or other condition producing DC offset.

A relay in the speaker circuit is only one way of achieving protection, and considered by many to be the least desirable, because of having a set of relay contacts in the speaker circuit.

I don't think a clamp or MOSFET optocoupler circuit would have prevented that failure. I have never heard of any body connecting two amps to the same speaker. I think a designer can be forgiven for not allowing for extreme stupidity.

 

[markw]

well i went to a store today and the guy said it seem to be a big problem and he doesn't know how to fix it. He said he must send it to a linn dealer and it will cost shipping and it will take time to get it back.

He offered me an exchange with a linn majik amp that i saw in the store which looked cool and we made a deal for a trade-in.

I strongly advise against comparing amps in the same manner.