boring ic question

[superjunior]

when I first hooked up my amp using some cheap generic analog cables, my amp would immediatly shut down with the left channal light blinking. I replaced those cables with some cheap monster ics and problem solved - so I thought. Now the amp will do the same thing- only at very high volume with the right channal light blinking. I think I've narrowed the problem down to my cheasy ic's. Can anyone suggest some quality ic's that would work well with my gear? I would need 3, or 2 pair I guess. Like to keep it under a couple hundred, everytime I see them on the fm they've already been snatched up. Thanks ahead for any thoughts
jr

[wutadumsn23]

Get with Ben, he makes his own, and from what I hear they are some of the best around. Don't know the prices, but I'm sure they are reasonable. If not he may be able to point you in the right direction. However, that may not be the root of your problem.

[jimmydep]

jr...I'm assuming you're referring to the pre-outs to the amp.......I can't see why the IC's would be the issue unless the first pair was defective......I've used pretty cheesy IC's and never had any problems other than a noticeable loss of SQ.....

Jimmy

[superjunior]

Get with Ben, he makes his own, and from what I hear they are some of the best around. Don't know the prices, but I'm sure they are reasonable. If not he may be able to point you in the right direction. However, that may not be the root of your problem.

Thanks. thought I saw a pair of bens cables on the fm,have to see if they're still there

[superjunior]

jr...I'm assuming you're referring to the pre-outs to the amp.......I can't see why the IC's would be the issue unless the first pair was defective......I've used pretty cheesy IC's and never had any problems other than a noticeable loss of SQ.....

Jimmy

thanks jimmy, yes the pre outs from the receiver to the amp. when I replaced them (ic's) the first time the problem was gone - untill listening to some really loud music- problem back. Once I get some good ic's, if the problem still persists I can rule the cables out. crap- late for work- gotta go !
jr

[Willow]

I would have to say it sounds like an issue with the amp and not the cables. Have you checked your speaker cables to be sure the - and + are not touching? at the AMP end ?

Do you have another AVR you could test out maybe it's your pre-outs

[curved]

Ben's IC are outstanding...especially after they burn in. However, I don't think that's going to solve your problem.

[cnh]

I would have to say it sounds like an issue with the amp and not the cables. Have you checked your speaker cables to be sure the - and + are not touching? at the AMP end ?

Do you have another AVR you could test out maybe it's your pre-outs

I have to agree....that just doesn't sound right. I/Cs vary in quality for sure...but shutting down your unit shouldn't happen unless there is a problem with the Pre-outs?

cnh

[dragon1952]

I also agree....it's not the cables.

[superjunior]

thanks fellas, maybe I should dig a little deeper and double check all my other connections. First suspect would be my bannanas on all my speeker connections,I'm not quite sure I've got the best connections there. I still need some good ic's, but the suggestions here have helped big time. Thanks folks
jr

[superjunior]

it is odd though, that the problem "changed" when switching the ics. Hope its not a problem with the avr or amp:(

[LessisNevermore]

it is odd though, that the problem "changed" when switching the ics. Hope its not a problem with the avr or amp:(

It's not the amp.
It's not the avr.
It's not the amp, and....it's not the amp.

I had the same issue with my XPA 5 when I first got it. The protection circuitry is finicky with regard to IC's. Oddly enough, it was when I got rid of my Monster Cables, that the issue went away. IMO, the protection circuitry is too sensitive, but once you find a set of cables that agree, you won't go into protection anymore.(without a good reason...:D)

Avoid non-shielded/poorly shielded cables. I wanted to find out for sure if the IC's were really the culprit, without spending a ton of money, so I tried out the Monoprice cables. The problem disappeared. I've since replaced those with a 5-lead snake type cable, and still no issues. (I didn't care for the MP IC's on my rig)

[superjunior]

thank you sir, that is music to my ears :)
jr

[LessisNevermore]

You're very welcome.

[curved]

I would look at the following depending on your budget:
- Ben's
- AQ
- Kimber

Like you said before, you need new interconnects regardless. Let us know how it works out.

[superjunior]

will do- got a few leads, will be ordering new ic's tommorro hopefully
jr

[cnh]

It's not the amp.
It's not the avr.
It's not the amp, and....it's not the amp.

I had the same issue with my XPA 5 when I first got it. The protection circuitry is finicky with regard to IC's. Oddly enough, it was when I got rid of my Monster Cables, that the issue went away. IMO, the protection circuitry is too sensitive, but once you find a set of cables that agree, you won't go into protection anymore.(without a good reason...:D)

Avoid non-shielded/poorly shielded cables. I wanted to find out for sure if the IC's were really the culprit, without spending a ton of money, so I tried out the Monoprice cables. The problem disappeared. I've since replaced those with a 5-lead snake type cable, and still no issues. (I didn't care for the MP IC's on my rig)

That is interesting. Is that a particular problem with Emotivas or are other amps affected by that because I've never seen that happen with a number of other power amps? Of course I haven't tried more than a handful of others...and no Emotivas. Even cables a lot lower end than the infamous monsters had no such effect. I'm talking about really questionable cables.

cnh

[LessisNevermore]

That is interesting. Is that a particular problem with Emotivas or are other amps affected by that because I've never seen that happen with a number of other power amps? Of course I haven't tried more than a handful of others...and no Emotivas. Even cables a lot lower end than the infamous monsters had no such effect. I'm talking about really questionable cables.

cnh

I don't know the particulars, just what I, and a few others experienced. I know that Emotiva implements a lot of protection circuitry in the XPA series, not sure about the others. I've only heard about it in this series.

And I don't think it's so much a problem, as it is a quirk. When I first experienced it, I was using Monster IC's, I swapped out the cable on the offending channel with another of the same make and model. The next time, it was on a different channel, and it seemed to be totally random. Then I noticed it would do it pretty consistently when changing inputs on the AVR.

First I scrounged around an found whatever I had laying around, (rat shack, throw aways, etc.) and pulled all of the MC's out. The amp never went into protection again. I bought all new Monoprice IC's, and still had no issues, same story with the snake.

So it is not the amp per se, but the protection system sensing something in the cables that's not kosher. Maybe some of the EE types here can theorize as to what could cause that.

[superjunior]

Less, this is the exact "quirky" thing my xpa is doing. Can anyone suggest wether mit avt3's or audioquest diamondbacks would work better with my gear? Someone in the fm has the diamond backs for $60 a pair and mit is selling refurb avt3's for $50 a pair. I would still need 1 more for my third channal though, but these seem to be good prices. thanks
jr

[LessisNevermore]

Less, this is the exact "quirky" thing my xpa is doing. Can anyone suggest wether mit avt3's or audioquest diamondbacks would work better with my gear? Someone in the fm has the diamond backs for $60 a pair and mit is selling refurb avt3's for $50 a pair. I would still need 1 more for my third channal though, but these seem to be good prices. thanks
jr


Sorry jr, I can't comment on your choices. A quality, 100% shielded wire should work fine.

When I pulled out one of the Monster cables (a mid-line) that was definitely bad, I cut it open to see how it was built. I couldn't believe it, there were only 6 strands each, of copper in the leads.:eek: That was a lesson to me, that thickness of the jacketing, has no correlation to the quality of the wire inside.

I'd say go ahead and try out one of the brands you mentioned, if they don't work out, you can always unload them here in the Flea Market area, and try out the other ones.

[superjunior]

good info, thanks again my freind
jr

[superjunior]

just ordered the mit's. thanks to all for comments, suggestions and pm's. Will post results when they arrive
jr

[superjunior]

I HATE UPS :mad: !!!

[superjunior]

well the mit's finnally got here. They don't have an arrow showing which direction to plug them in. anyone know if the short box end should be at the receivers outs, or the amps inputs?

[hearingimpared]

well the mit's finnally got here. They don't have an arrow showing which direction to plug them in. anyone know if the short box end should be at the receivers outs, or the amps inputs?

The amps inputs.

[superjunior]

thanks, can't wait to hook these up..
jr

[superjunior]

did some serious 2 channal listening today with the mit avt 3's. the new ic's cured the quirky amp problem thats been haunting me. Amp works perfect without flaw, thats the good news. Sound? Oh God it was painfull. My a9's were always a little on the warm side - which I liked. After swiching the ics the sound was so bright I had to wear sunglasses and my ears are still bleading. Its amazing how different cables effect sound.

[hearingimpared]

did some serious 2 channal listening today with the mit avt 3's. the new ic's cured the quirky amp problem thats been haunting me. Amp works perfect without flaw, thats the good news. Sound? Oh God it was painfull. My a9's were always a little on the warm side - which I liked. After swiching the ics the sound was so bright I had to wear sunglasses and my ears are still bleading. Its amazing how different cables effect sound.

You have to give the AVT 3s time to burnin.