Adcom: "Distortion alert" lights

Ricardo
Ricardo Posts: 10,636
edited November 2005 in Electronics
Today I listened to my system LOUD, and due to the dynamics of the music, the GFA-555 distortion lights flashed a little bit; I assume this is normal and don't think any damage will happen unless these lights are on most of the time...

Just checking what others think??
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Comments

  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited November 2005
    Usually "clipping" indicators can be occasionally flashing (peaks) and you'll be OK; but it's not a hard fast rule. It's letting you know you're in the danger zone...
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  • faster100
    faster100 Posts: 6,124
    edited November 2005
    you had that sucker loud, that's what they mean.. :)
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited November 2005
    Personally, after seeing that, I'd turn it down a smidge.
    Never Forget
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  • aaharvel
    aaharvel Posts: 4,489
    edited November 2005
    the lights flashing at random is no big deal. It only means you're CLOSE to 1% disortion. If they remain while not blinking, then you've got a problem.
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited November 2005
    They're like applause lights. Good job! Way to play your music loud!
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited November 2005
    Thanks guys; I feel better now...... :)
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited November 2005
    PolkThug wrote:
    Personally, after seeing that, I'd turn it down a smidge.

    Yep, me 2.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited November 2005
    Man, you have good ear drums :-)

    -fredv-
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited November 2005
    how loud was it exactly? did you have a SPL meter out? for me, i've never had any blinking lights come on, on my Adcom. I can only imagine it was hella loud. or your speakers are 4ohm or less.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited November 2005
    Speakers are 4 ohm (SDA 1B's); I just went down and measured... C weighting and slow response, read 104 db in one of the peaks that made the lights flash...
    It was loud, but not THAT LOUD; I guess it all depends on the dynamics of what you are listening :)

    Edit: average reading around 93-94 db
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited November 2005
    Dude, you better have a hearing test done periodically if you continue to listen at those levels. Not that the hearing tests detect much hearing loss until you REALLY have damaged your hearing. Be careful, you will lose much of your interest to hi-fi once those ears are gone.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited November 2005
    well....I don't normally listen at those levels; I agree this is not a "comfortable" volume; I was just testing how high this things can go.....

    Still, I don't think it is THAT LOUD....:)
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited November 2005
    HTrookie wrote:
    Still, I don't think it is THAT LOUD....:)
    100db+ peaks, what's the continuous level? That's what matters more. You certainly are at levels where you will damage your ears. Then again, so does going to the clubs... :)
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  • aaharvel
    aaharvel Posts: 4,489
    edited November 2005
    HTrookie since you have 4ohm speakers that's pretty much normal. I read in a recent review of their gfa-7807 300x7 amp, basically their flagship that with 4ohm speakers the lights occasionally flickered on and off but was of no concern.

    The lights on mine have never lit up, even on my 5300 mosfet that runs hotter than hell. Guess it's because i'm running 8ohm all around.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited November 2005
    Don't feel bad, I had 2 Soundcraftsmen PM-840's bridged for a whopping 600 watts/rms, 1200 watts peak; and had their clipping led's blinking on Bose 901 VI's once--talk about concert levels. I just wanted to see if the damn things really worked. I figurd, given the 89dB rating of the Bose' I was probably at about 114dB.

    What's even more amazing is that the 901's refused to distort, even at that level. When kick-drums would hit, it felt like somebody was punching you in the chest....

    ...ahh the memories... :cool:

    People talk **** about the 901, but set up correctly, with enough power (at least 300 watts/rms), they are pretty damn impressive, especially for rock.
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited November 2005
    Radical, dude.

    *proceeds to conduct his own tests*

    *not*

    I would like to get an SPL meter just to see what levels I like to listen to.
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited November 2005
    oops! my bad. i'm not using an Adcom amp with my SDA's. i think the one time i did use the Adcom.. it did flicker on and off. on moderate levels. get a better amp dude.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,779
    edited November 2005
    104dB? That's just warming up 'round here.
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