I think I just smoked my Amp


Ummm… yeah… what the title says…

Just received a new pair of speakers, Thiel MCS1. I got them hooked up, powered up my pre and my amp, started playing a test track (a progressive house song), I immediately noticed a slight crackle in the right channel, and as soon as the song got to the part where the bass beat dropped, the amp went into protect mode. It stayed in protect for about five seconds, then the “operate” light came back on, but the audio did not return. I powered the amp down, tried powering back up, but the protect light immediately returned, but it was extremely dim. Now, the power switch does nothing; nothing lights up. I smelled the vents in the top, and nothing smelled burnt or out of the ordinary.

My uneducated guess is that the lower impedance (4ohm nominal, 3ohm minimum), strained an aging cap which then gave up the ghost, but really I have no idea. My previous speakers were a much easier load (10ohm) and the amp handled them just fine.

 

I really don’t know what to do now, but I’m bloody devastated.

My system: 

ARC LS25 MKII

ARC D400

SMSL M400

Auralic Aries

rfnoise

Great amp worthwhile investment for refurbishment.Once done you are good for many years to come. Make sure the tech you choose is familiar with ARC SS products. If possible get it into the factory after forum trouble shooting advice.

All the best.

NEVER accept what you See visually with a fuse. Measure the Impedence. If this was a fuse, I'd be surprised, it would have had to be a VERY 'Slow Blow' variety.

 

I have a tech in Philly who has serviced my two ARC D240’s MKII’s and is a skilled tech. Let me know if you want an introduction.