Major electronics problem!

[Joe Schmoe]

I use a Cambridge Audio 340C CD player and 340A integrated amp. They are about two years old (as far as I know, the warranty has expired), and have never been abused in any way.

Last night, when I first turned them on, I got no sound for several minutes (through headphones), then it suddenly kicked on. I turned everything off, checked all connections carefully, and tried it again with the same result. The problem is not with the headphones (or cable or jack), because I didn't get sound through the speakers, either!
I tried unplugging both components, letting them sit a while, and plugging them back in. I thought that that had worked because I got sound for maybe 20 minutes, but then it dropped out again?

Are my components dying (even though they are high quality and relatively new)? Is this a fixable problem?

(Note: Since I have no extra components to "swap out", I am not even sure how to test whether the player or the amp is the culprit! )

Until I can fix or replace the Cambridges, I am forced to either doing all my listening in my HT room or using my cheap portable CD player.

All help is appreciated!

 

[Adam]

Hey, Joe. I'd suggest contacting your dealer or Cambridge to check if they are still under warranty. According to the warranty statement for the 340A, they don't give a length (unless I missed it) and only state that it varies from location to location. I saw a site that listed the warranty on amps at three years and those for CD players at two years, but it could be different where you live.

 

[TLS Guy]

I use a Cambridge Audio 340C CD player and 340A integrated amp. They are about two years old (as far as I know, the warranty has expired), and have never been abused in any way.

Last night, when I first turned them on, I got no sound for several minutes (through headphones), then it suddenly kicked on. I turned everything off, checked all connections carefully, and tried it again with the same result. The problem is not with the headphones (or cable or jack), because I didn't get sound through the speakers, either!
I tried unplugging both components, letting them sit a while, and plugging them back in. I thought that that had worked because I got sound for maybe 20 minutes, but then it dropped out again?

Are my components dying (even though they are high quality and relatively new)? Is this a fixable problem?

(Note: Since I have no extra components to "swap out", I am not even sure how to test whether the player or the amp is the culprit! )

Until I can fix or replace the Cambridges, I am forced to either doing all my listening in my HT room or using my cheap portable CD player.

All help is appreciated!

Joe, I would suggest using your portable CD player, to see which unit is faulty. If it is the amp, since it involves both channels and the headphone amp, it sounds like a power supply problem, with the supply going into protect mode.

Sounds as if this could be another lead free solder problem. The timing is right.

I hope you have warranty, although this may not be an expensive problem to fix.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

It turns out that they are still under warranty. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), the problem has not occurred again since I left it unplugged for a day. That makes it impossible to test which component is the culprit. Also, if I send either one in while it is working, they may claim it is fine without fixing anything!

 

[Alex2507]

I would send them in with a copy of this thread. If they choose to do you dirty, that's on them but nothing will be addressed if you leave the units in your room until the warranty expires.

 

[highfigh]

I use a Cambridge Audio 340C CD player and 340A integrated amp. They are about two years old (as far as I know, the warranty has expired), and have never been abused in any way.

Last night, when I first turned them on, I got no sound for several minutes (through headphones), then it suddenly kicked on. I turned everything off, checked all connections carefully, and tried it again with the same result. The problem is not with the headphones (or cable or jack), because I didn't get sound through the speakers, either!
I tried unplugging both components, letting them sit a while, and plugging them back in. I thought that that had worked because I got sound for maybe 20 minutes, but then it dropped out again?

Are my components dying (even though they are high quality and relatively new)? Is this a fixable problem?

(Note: Since I have no extra components to "swap out", I am not even sure how to test whether the player or the amp is the culprit! )

Until I can fix or replace the Cambridges, I am forced to either doing all my listening in my HT room or using my cheap portable CD player.

All help is appreciated!

Inspect the speaker wires for damage, especially if you have a cat or dog (or other critter that likes to chew on things, whether you know it, or not). Also, look at the ends where the wires connect- one strand across both terminals will cause problems.