Upgraded from RX-A2030 to CX-A5000 + MX-A5000 but the amp still shuts down!

[RichB]

Well I think you have the answer. It's the speakers then. You have swapped out every variable and they are the ones that remain in the mix. Can't imagine both are causing the problem however. But that's your next option

Wouldn't have to the as designed since both speakers cause the failure at reference volume?

- Rich

 

[crossedover]

Wouldn't have to the as designed since both speakers cause the failure at reference volume?

- Rich

Ya which makes me skeptical

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Well, the Yamaha amp is probably just like the AVR. May have the same protection circuit. Try a Denon/Marantz.

What is the odds of both speakers malfunctioning?

 

[mtrycrafts]

After all this experimentation, I'd suggest you check the speaker's resistance with an Ohm meter. I would also check each driver's resistance.

 

[PENG]

The amp keeps on shutting down again at around 0 dB volume level! but the Pre-amp stays on.

I need to know what is wrong! Is it the speakers?? Is it possible that the one of the fronts have a defect?

PLEASE HELP!

With volume at 0, if your source media has a relatively higher level, your amp could simply be shutting down to protect itself. What is your source and what kind of file, CD or whatever that you were playing when the amp shutdown?

You could try troubleshooting by:

1) Play that same source that you know for sure will cause the amp to shutdown, with just one speaker, either L, or R channel.
2) Set volume to -3 or -6, presumably then the amp will hold because you said it shutdown at around 0 right?
3) Measure the voltage at the speaker terminal, use a good meter such as a Fluke multimeter such as the Fluke 87V set it to AC. If don't have that Fluke, just use a reasonably good quality one that costs say over $100.
4) If 3) is not possible for you, then measure the SPL you are getting using a Radio Shack SPL meter at 1 meter from the speaker.

With those measurements, we will be able to estimate roughly how much your amp is outputing per channel. For example, if at volume = -3 you get 110 dB of SPL, then base on the speaker's sensitivity of 89 dB/1m/2.83V, that is 89 dB/1m/1.33W, the amp would be outputting around 170W, or 340W if volume is at 0. Depending on your room size and sitting position, 110 dB at 1 meter could drop to 98 dB (if there is no room gain) at 4m away from the speaker.

Just one more question, at volume = 0, did the amp shutdown right away, or after playing music at that level after a while?

If you just want to do a quick test to determine if the speakers or the amp is the problem, ADTG's suggestion to grab a Denon to try it out is a good idea. It is possible that Yamaha has a very sensitive protection circuit.

 

[M Code]

I am assuming U have checked very carefully each speaker wire, no splices, no shorted strands @ either end..
One of your loudspeakers has an intermittant internal short..
Try connecting just 1 loudspeaker @ a time to find the bad one that is triggering the protection circuit....

Just my $0.05...

 

[3db]

I am assuming U have checked very carefully each speaker wire, no splices, no shorted strands @ either end..
One of your loudspeakers has an intermittant internal short..
Try connecting just 1 loudspeaker @ a time to find the bad one that is triggering the protection circuit....

Just my $0.05...

That's a good point of trying each speaker seperately.

 

[crossedover]

That's a good point of trying each speaker seperately.

That's why I mentioned it at the begging of the thread

 

[3db]

That's why I mentioned it at the begging of the thread

I can't remember that far back but I believe you.

This is a weird one. This is a power amp. The 0db level on the power amp will be much louder than the 0db on the RX-A2030. I don't get the hangup of needing the 0db.

 

[markw]

What's playing when it shuts down? Music has varying levels of loudness and some peaks can be quite trying.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I can't remember that far back but I believe you.
.... I don't get the hangup of needing the 0db.

Some want bleeding ears, I guess. Actual bleeding.

 

[M Code]

That's why I mentioned it at the begging of the thread

U said..
"Unplug one speaker at time and see if it goes into protection mode. Also what speakers are they? If your having two different units with the exact same problem, it's likely they are not the source of your issue"...

My instructions were somewhat different...
I said unplug all speakers, then reconnect 1 @ time. This way 1st when powering up the AVR or amplifier with no loudspeakers attached it should not shut down. By reconnecting 1 loudspeaker @ time, he will find the shorted loudspeaker when the AVR shuts down... Todays AVRs and amplifiers are very sensitive to a single short and it will shut down. @ WCES 2014 Venetian Hotel we were supporting a well-known audio amplifier brand in their demo suite, they were using a pair of well known brand prototype loudspeakers unfortunately when the level of the amplifiers was increased they shut down. We contacted the loudspeaker brand who was also demoing there, they sent over their chief engineer and found that one of the mid-range drivers in the prototype had an intermittent short.. He replaced the driver and all was well for the rest of the WCES...

Just my $0.05...

 

[crossedover]

Guess I should have said while the avr/ amp was off. Bowing out for better minds

 

[M Code]

Guess I should have said while the avr/ amp was off. Bowing out for better minds

No biggee..
We are all here to help one another understand about these complicated devices..

 

[Rickster71]

I haven't read this whole thread.
Do you have a multimeter?
That way you can test your outlet voltage, and see if one of your speakers has a short.

 

[PENG]

I haven't read this whole thread.
Do you have a multimeter?
That way you can test your outlet voltage, and see if one of your speakers has a short.

In that case you only have to read post#25, and know that electrical people think alike, about this sort of things.

 

[Drunder40]

Do you have cats or pets that chew wire? May sound dumb but you never know.. I have one cat that when I first got her, any f'ing cord/wire was fair game. Never had a cat like to chew wire so much. Just a thought

 

[Josuah]

With volume at 0, if your source media has a relatively higher level, your amp could simply be shutting down to protect itself. What is your source and what kind of file, CD or whatever that you were playing when the amp shutdown?

+1

The MX-A5000 has an input sensitivity of 1V unbalanced, 2V balanced. Most CD players will output a 2V line level signal over unbalanced. If your pre-amp is set to -0dB volume, then you're sending 2Vrms into your amp's unbalanced input which is just too much. The amp can't output that volume. Change your volume to -6dB like PENG said and see if you still have the problem.

 

[mtrycrafts]

.... Change your volume to -6dB like PENG said and see if you still have the problem.

I get the impression that will not give an ear bleed.

 

[PENG]

I get the impression that will not give an ear bleed.

Probably not, but he needs to determine if the amp shutdowns due to output reaching its set point when volume is at 0 or the speakers are at fault. If the former is true, then we can suggest he go with more sensitive and/or higher nomimal impedance speakers, or add external amps rated at least 300 WPC. Or he just live without ear bleed.