2. amps-preamps
  3. 139933-120167

Turning off tube preamp first sends solid state amp into protection?

I have been experimenting with using a vintage Luxman CL40 valve preamp as a separate preamp stage for my L-509X integrated. Because I leave the solid state amp on 24/7, I accidentally turned off the preamp while the 509X was still in Separate mode. The integrated immediately went into protection mode with the power light blinking. I powered it down into standby mode, then brought it back up and it remained in protection mode. It wasn't until I unplugged the 509X and plugged it back in that everything was cool. 

Did I do any potential damage here? What it it happens again? It's pretty easy to accidentally turn off the preamp when I'm leaving the 509X on all the time.
128x128jsqt
gdnrbob
4,452 posts
 
I think wolf garcia's method is best.
I own an Atmasphere preamp and use it with Ayre MX-R amps.
I turn on the preamp first and wait for the DC offset light to go off before I turn on the amps. Luckily, Ayre has a DC sensor that will trigger the amps to enter standby until the problem is corrected.
I think your preamp is emitting DC and triggering the amps to shut down- which is the correct response to DC. Otherwise, they would get toasted.
B
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,196 posts
 
You Never do this ,it creates a surge . Allways do the Opposite 
with tube gear preamp on first until stable ,30-40 seconds then amplifier, shut off in reverse order you can blow your tweeter in your speaker also you hear a pop or thump.  solid state pre not an issue ,or a stand by . But this is a good rule of thumb.
n80
2,125 posts
 
I'm glad this came up. I'm a newbie at this. I have an AR LS-16 (tube) and a SS Proceed HPA2 amp.

The pre-amp has a 45 second warm-up timer before anything will function.

The amp has two buttons. A tiny off/on button and a large large round 'standby' button.

When I turn the system on I turn the LS pre-amp on first then immediately turn on the amp which stays in standby mode until you hit the standby button. The are no audible clicks on pops through the speakers but you can hear clicks in both components.

When I turn the system off, I put the amp in standby then turn it off. Then I turn the LS pre-amp off. This way there are no audible clicks from the speakers.

Does this sound right?
tinear123
241 posts
 
Many tube amp designs shunt the outputs during shut-down.  Some amps will see this as a shorting of the input.
arsh
367 posts
 
 I definitely agree with what some of the other folks have said here about operational sequence.  I always try to remember this about my main amplifier: “last on, first off. “
 
 I switch on everything else first and wait until it is fully powered on and only then turn on my main amplifier. When I’m done listening I switch the main amplifier off first before I switch off the other gear. 

 I hope this helps. 
More to discover