Emotiva XPA-3 tripping fault in a specific game ONLY???

[Kali157]

I was playing the new Assassins Creed on PS3, and suddenly my XPA-3 trips a fault on the middle channel (well the middle light blinks red). It had my center channel connected to it. I tried to trouble shoot it. Here is what I have tried:

1. I tried moving another speaker to the middle amp channel (tried both left and right). I switched both the speaker wire and interconnects.

2. Tried disconnecting EVERYTHING from the amp middle channel (ie only left and right channels are connected).

With these (yes, even the one with nothing connected to the middle channel), the amp trips in the game with the middle LED flashing red. Now it trips frequently and randomly. It doesn't necessarily trip on heavy scenes. Sometimes it trips when I am paused and in the menu.

Here is the other kicker: the amp only trips when playing Assassins Creed: Revelations. I tried several movies with intense front speaker use and the amp does NOT trip. I tried putting the front speakers to full band and the amp does NOT trip. I played these movies at a very high volume as well as normal volume.

I even tried playing various types of music in various combinations of speaker decoding from stereo, multichannel stereo (all channels play stereo), etc. Again, these combinations to induce a fault does NOT trip the amp.

I also tried other games like the new Uncharted game for a few hours, and the amp did not trip.

But as soon as I put Assassins Creed Revelations back in (which I tried several times), the amp trips after a few minutes. It will continue to trip every few minutes no matter how high or low the volume or how what is going on in the game. It trips randomly.

So I am at a loss. I would love some ideas to fix the problem. I did call Emotiva yesterday and left a message.

Thanks everyone.

[erict]

Originally Posted by Kali157

I was playing the new Assassins Creed on PS3, and suddenly my XPA-3 trips a fault on the middle channel (well the middle light blinks red). It had my center channel connected to it. I tried to trouble shoot it. Here is what I have tried:

1. I tried moving another speaker to the middle amp channel (tried both left and right). I switched both the speaker wire and interconnects.

2. Tried disconnecting EVERYTHING from the amp middle channel (ie only left and right channels are connected).

With these (yes, even the one with nothing connected to the middle channel), the amp trips in the game with the middle LED flashing red. Now it trips frequently and randomly. It doesn't necessarily trip on heavy scenes. Sometimes it trips when I am paused and in the menu.

Here is the other kicker: the amp only trips when playing Assassins Creed: Revelations. I tried several movies with intense front speaker use and the amp does NOT trip. I tried putting the front speakers to full band and the amp does NOT trip. I played these movies at a very high volume as well as normal volume.

I even tried playing various types of music in various combinations of speaker decoding from stereo, multichannel stereo (all channels play stereo), etc. Again, these combinations to induce a fault does NOT trip the amp.

I also tried other games like the new Uncharted game for a few hours, and the amp did not trip.

But as soon as I put Assassins Creed Revelations back in (which I tried several times), the amp trips after a few minutes. It will continue to trip every few minutes no matter how high or low the volume or how what is going on in the game. It trips randomly.

So I am at a loss. I would love some ideas to fix the problem. I did call Emotiva yesterday and left a message.

Thanks everyone.

You said you switched interconnects. Did you try new ones? Is it also correct that the center channel will trip with no speaker wire or interconnect connected to it?

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by erict

You said you switched interconnects. Did you try new ones? Is it also correct that the center channel will trip with no speaker wire or interconnect connected to it?

I have not tried new interconnects. But I did try unplugging both the interconnects and speaker wires and switching them with another speaker's connections. And yes, even with nothing plugged to the amp's middle channel, the amp still trips with the middle LED blinking red. That means the middle channel is having the fault, right?

Update:
Was watching Green Lantern tonight and the amp tripped for the first time outside the game. It was about an hour into the movie and it tripped a few more times. I disconnected the center channel. Has not tripped so far since then.

[erict]

Originally Posted by Kali157

I have not tried new interconnects. But I did try unplugging both the interconnects and speaker wires and switching them with another speaker's connections. And yes, even with nothing plugged to the amp's middle channel, the amp still trips with the middle LED blinking red. That means the middle channel is having the fault, right?

Update:
Was watching Green Lantern tonight and the amp tripped for the first time outside the game. It was about an hour into the movie and it tripped a few more times. I disconnected the center channel. Has not tripped so far since then.

Correct, the problem is with the center channel module. What I don't understand is how it can go into fault mode when nothing is connected to that channel I would trying disconnecting everything and pull it out and use a can of compressed air and blow any dust that may be inside the unit. You will have to remove the cover to do this. Other then that, I would talk to Emotiva Monday.

P.S. keep us updated on the issue

[Kali157]

Thanks for the responses Eric

As for the amp, I decided to isolate it. So I unplugged it from the HT and carried it to the kitchen. I plugged in the power cord and nothing else. Now here is the weird thing: when I bump the top of the amp's case with my hand, the amp trips. I tried 3 different power cords.

The other thing is I hear a slight hum when I put my ear close to the middle channel board (from the top). I don't hear a hum from the left and right channel boards.

Finally, I just left the amp "on" in the kitchen without touching it, and it has not tripped for over 3 hrs.

I am quite certain that the middle amp board maybe the issue. I wonder if Emotiva can just send me a replacement board. I would hate to have down time especially during the holidays when we are actually home to enjoy our HT and listen to music. Plus we are hosting Christmas this year. At least I can power it with my Marantz... but it won't be the same. Dammit.

[erict]

Originally Posted by Kali157

Thanks for the responses Eric

As for the amp, I decided to isolate it. So I unplugged it from the HT and carried it to the kitchen. I plugged in the power cord and nothing else. Now here is the weird thing: when I bump the top of the amp's case with my hand, the amp trips. I tried 3 different power cords.

The other thing is I hear a slight hum when I put my ear close to the middle channel board (from the top). I don't hear a hum from the left and right channel boards.

Finally, I just left the amp "on" in the kitchen without touching it, and it has not tripped for over 3 hrs.

I am quite certain that the middle amp board maybe the issue. I wonder if Emotiva can just send me a replacement board. I would hate to have down time especially during the holidays when we are actually home to enjoy our HT and listen to music. Plus we are hosting Christmas this year. At least I can power it with my Marantz... but it won't be the same. Dammit.

OK, here are a couple of things to try and may solve your problem. Non of this will void your warranty First unplug all connections and have your amp out in the open. Next, remove the cover and take a blow dryer on medium heat and blow the warm air over all three modules inside the amp and heat sinks for 2-3 minutes (this removes any static buildup that may be present which will cause a fault). Next, make sure all the ribbon cables going into the amp module boards are snug and tight as this will cause a fault as well. See if this solves the issue. You may either have static buildup, a loose connection or last a bad amp module. And yes, Emotive will just send out a module for you to replace which is not hard to replace at all.


xpa3_inside01.jpg

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by erict

OK, here are a couple of things to try and may solve your problem. Non of this will void your warranty First unplug all connections and have your amp out in the open. Next, remove the cover and take a blow dryer on medium heat and blow the warm air over all three modules inside the amp and heat sinks for 2-3 minutes (this removes any static buildup that may be present which will cause a fault). Next, make sure all the ribbon cables going into the amp module boards are snug and tight as this will cause a fault as well. See if this solves the issue. You may either have static buildup, a loose connection or last a bad amp module. And yes, Emotive will just send out a module for you to replace which is not hard to replace at all.


Attachment 41916

I have heard of people getting faults from static when they unpack their amps from the plastic cover, but I thought they had addressed this issue when I bought my amp a year ago. Also, how does the amp build up static when it has been in use for over a year? Any known way to prevent static build up?

About opening up the amp, I have read people saying that opening up the amp will not void the warranty, but I am going wait until I talk to them. If they want me to open the amp, I will request an email from them stating that this will not void the warranty. Just cautious that way. Anyway, I can talk to them tomorrow... just need to stay away from the amp today.

I am glad to hear that the module is rather easy to swap out. I was afraid the connections were soldered on. I have a sneaking suspicion that I have a bad module due to the hum.

An update on my tests last night: the amp faulted after about 3 hrs. This was in the kitchen with nothing plugged into it except the stock power cord.

[erict]

I beleive the hum you hear is produced by the transformer and not the module. Emotiva can clarify this. The hair dryer is worth a shot as some have reported this same issue as yours after the amp has been in use for a while and it worked. Static build up can be a cause of pets, kids and if you are in a cold climate with a humidifier that isn't working or plugged. Dry heat can produce static build up.

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by erict

I beleive the hum you hear is produced by the transformer and not the module. Emotiva can clarify this. The hair dryer is worth a shot as some have reported this same issue as yours after the amp has been in use for a while and it worked. Static build up can be a cause of pets, kids and if you are in a cold climate with a humidifier that isn't working or plugged. Dry heat can produce static build up.

Hmmm. Well, I will definitely try the hair dryer thing after I speak with them. About the hum, does yours hum Eric? I just never heard it before. Here is another wrinkle: I also heard a hum when I got close to the center speaker while I was running tests. Same hum was not present with the left/right, and I never heard it before the faults started happening. I didn't get to test if I hear the hum using a different speaker. I disconnected the amp for fear of damaging a speaker or AVR with the trips.

[erict]

Originally Posted by Kali157

Hmmm. Well, I will definitely try the hair dryer thing after I speak with them. About the hum, does yours hum Eric? I just never heard it before. Here is another wrinkle: I also heard a hum when I got close to the center speaker while I was running tests. Same hum was not present with the left/right, and I never heard it before the faults started happening. I didn't get to test if I hear the hum using a different speaker. I disconnected the amp for fear of damaging a speaker or AVR with the trips.

I have never put my ear up to mine to see if it hums at all. I do here a hum/buzz in all speakers when I have any source on and muted. I can only hear it when my ear is next to any speaker and not from my seating position.

[Kali157]

just got off the phone with Matt. The modules are soldered on and cannot be swapped by consumers on the XPA series. They are charging me $45 to ship to them and they will cover the cost from there.

Eric, you said the module is swappable. Not that I do not trust Matt, but can you point me to someone who has done this? I would rather not pay $45 to ship to them and also minimize down time.

[erict]

Originally Posted by Kali157

just got off the phone with Matt. The modules are soldered on and cannot be swapped by consumers on the XPA series. They are charging me $45 to ship to them and they will cover the cost from there.

Eric, you said the module is swappable. Not that I do not trust Matt, but can you point me to someone who has done this? I would rather not pay $45 to ship to them and also minimize down time.

I have read on the Emotiva forum that they sent just the module out for the customer to replace. This could also be a cold solider joint in the module causing this as well. I would call and talk to someone else and ask if they can send the part to you. Ask for Lonnie.

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by erict

I have read on the Emotiva forum that they sent just the module out for the customer to replace. This could also be a cold solider joint in the module causing this as well. I would call and talk to someone else and ask if they can send the part to you. Ask for Lonnie.

He was saying that the swappable module is from an older model. I called back and spoke to someone else and they confirmed this (forgot the name). I tried searching the Emotiva forums and I couldn't find the instance you mentioned above. I would be grateful if you can help point that out to me.

I sent the amp in, but if I find out that I was misinformed about the module being swappable, I will insist on being reimbursed for my shipping cost.

Again thanks for your help.