Using an A-1 with a common ground amp.

djreef

I’m running an Acurus A250 with my 1.2TLs, and was wondering if this is the reason why the amp keeps dropping a channel after a few minutes of listening. This whole common ground thing has me so jacked up and confused. If not then I guess it’s off to the shop for the amp.

Thanx ahead.

gudnoyez

I used a A-1 with a Adcom and a Parasound with good results both are common ground. It must be an issue with your Amp. I've got a couple of Dreadnoughts now however huge improvement over the A-1.

djreef

Ya, I was considering picking up a non-A-1 cable just to see if maybe it was the A-1, but ya I’m thinking it’s the amp.

invalid

Can the 1.2tl's be used without the A-1 interface? I know the smaller sda's can be used without the cable, at least that would tell you if it's the amp.

djreef

That’s true. I guess I could just disconnect the cable and run it non SDA.

invalid wrote: »

Can the 1.2tl's be used without the A-1 interface? I know the smaller sda's can be used without the cable, at least that would tell you if it's the amp.

invalid

It definitely won't sound as good, but will narrow it down to amp or interface.

pitdogg2

Ive used AI-1 cable with common ground amps never a problem for me.
My opinion is it's something else unless the cable has been tampered with.

Emlyn

The problem could be the amp, the speakers, or the interconnect cable, or something else.

With an amp, I'd usually try it out on a different set of speakers if I had a pair around or borrow some from a friend. In the case of an Acurus amp it's probably around 25 years old and may need to be checked out anyway? If the amp doesn't cut out on another pair of traditional speakers then the amp is fine. If it's the AI-1 SDA interconnect it's possible to disconnect the AI-1 and get the SDA drivers working by shoving speaker wire in the post holes. If the speakers don't cut in and out like that then the problem is the AI-1 SDA cable. If the speakers cut in and out after testing both the amp and jerry rigging an SDA cable then the problem is inside the speakers. Probably a crossover problem but it could be something as simple as a wire that's loose inside them that jiggles looser when they're playing.

Process of elimination is half the fun.

invalid

How long does it play before one channel cuts out? Check out how hot both channels of the amp get before the one channel stops working.

djreef

The drop out is intermittent. Sometime 10 minutes, sometime 40, smetimes more than an hour. I ran it for 3 hours one night pretty hard 2 weeks ago without issue. Ya, I’m thinking a good once over for the amp by the local repair shop probably isn’t a bad idea given it’s age any way. I have a pair if Lsi7s that I can drag downstairs to check the amp with tomorrow. I’ll probably do that, but I think I’ll end up taking the amp in any how just in case.

Emlyn wrote: »

The problem could be the amp, the speakers, or the interconnect cable, or something else.

With an amp, I'd usually try it out on a different set of speakers if I had a pair around or borrow some from a friend. In the case of an Acurus amp it's probably around 25 years old and may need to be checked out anyway? If the amp doesn't cut out on another pair of traditional speakers then the amp is fine. If it's the AI-1 SDA interconnect it's possible to disconnect the AI-1 and get the SDA drivers working by shoving speaker wire in the post holes. If the speakers don't cut in and out like that then the problem is the AI-1 SDA cable. If the speakers cut in and out after testing both the amp and jerry rigging an SDA cable then the problem is inside the speakers. Probably a crossover problem but it could be something as simple as a wire that's loose inside them that jiggles looser when they're playing.

Process of elimination is half the fun.

djreef

I actually checked the amp for heat the other day - both sides cool to the touch.

invalid wrote: »

How long does it play before one channel cuts out? Check out how hot both channels of the amp get before the one channel stops working.

djreef

OK, so it seems the problem was with the source. I had a Denon universal player with a short in it on the back panel where the connections plug in. Cripe this was such a game of whack A mole.

gudnoyez

Glad to hear you found the problem, it's always fun chasing after issues with your rig and rewarding when you figure it out.

djreef

gudnoyez wrote: »

Glad to hear you found the problem, it's always fun chasing after issues with your rig and rewarding when you figure it out.

Ya, until the bill comes : (.

audioluvr

Have a drink to your success! Worry about the financial repercussions later. That's my philosophy!

djreef

audioluvr wrote: »

Have a drink to your success! Worry about the financial repercussions later. That's my philosophy!

I did that just last night. Crown and ginger ale and a 6 hour listening session .