Bad news, good news

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10-06-2012, 07:47 PM
BlueFox

Bad news, good news

So, last night I am drinking beer and enjoying the music when the right channel goes quiet. This happened once before, but it was just the speaker cable had disconnected. However, everything was connected, the amp power light is on, and everything appears normal, except there is nothing out the speaker. Anyway, by now I have had to many beers to troubleshoot electronics, so I switch to the multi-channel system. It's nice, but not as nice as the two channel system.

Today I did all the troubleshooting (switch sources, swap cables, etc.), and it appears the right channel amp is bad. That is the bad news. The good news is I put the left channel amp into stereo mode, hooked up the right speaker, and am back in business. That is the good news. The only drawback is now I only have 350w per channel versus 800w per channel.

Now I will find out how hard it is to get this thing repaired. It is a Cambridge-Audio 840W amp, and is around 5 years old. This is the first piece of gear I have had go bad in a long time. I hope it is not the start of a trend.
10-06-2012, 08:00 PM
Oldfatdogs

That sucks,especially while enjoying your beer.At least you had a backup,and smart enough not to try to fix it while Buzzzed.
Dan
10-06-2012, 08:05 PM
Clipdat

800w per channel!? Jesus man! I'm up in Alameda, let me know if your system is ever open to hear, I'd like to be blown away.
10-06-2012, 08:11 PM
11tsteve

what kind of beer was it?
10-06-2012, 08:18 PM
BlueFox

Red Tail Ale.

Clipdat, power is for headroom and clarity, not to be louder.
10-06-2012, 08:44 PM
Clipdat

For sure, I mean my little NAD puts out something like 40wpc and it's more than enough to fill a room. But just like you said, headroom, to handle those dynamic changes in music with authority. Just think it would be interesting to experience that. :)

Also Red Tail Ale is a nice sessionable beer. Just opened up a Firestone Walker Double Jack IPA.
10-06-2012, 11:44 PM
Dennis Gardner

I have more bad news.......the 840W is only 200 watts per channel.:eek:
10-07-2012, 12:08 AM
BlueFox

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis Gardner

I have more bad news.......the 840W is only 200 watts per channel.:eek:

No dumbo. RTFM. It is 200w/ch at 8 ohms, and 350W/ch at 4 ohms in stereo mode. In bridged mono mode it is 500W/ch at 8 ohm, and 800W/ch at 4 ohm.

The interesting part is that the bridged mono mode is more than double the stereo mode. It is as if the amps were designed as mono, and stereo added to help sales.