2. amps-preamps
  3. 1289231839

Does my Pass amp dislike my Meridian preamp?

My Meridian G68 (preamp/processor) has been acting up, and my Meridian dealer suggested that the symptoms might be caused by an interaction with my amp, a Pass Labs XA30.5. I have consulted with a trusted Audiogon member, who doubts this theory. So I would like some more input. Here are the symptoms:

1. Meridian G68 freezes up. Neither the remote nor the front panel buttons are responsive. Must be unplugged and plugged back in to work again.

2. After it freezes and I power it down, sometimes a loud “popping” noise is emitted by the speakers.

3. In August, the Meridian G68 stopped working altogether. It was repaired by Meridian America. They replaced the power button and the power supply. But now the symptoms are back.

Thoughts?
bryoncunningham
lrsky
1,118 posts
 
Atmasphere,
I agree 'almost completely', which is to say--like lightning damage, virtually anything can happen--but, as usual, you're a fountain of really, really good information.
As to the original question...it's obvious from here in Louisville, some several hundred miles from the problem, lol, that the Meridian is the problem.
'Problems' between amps and preamps are like marital problems, they're usually solved by a third party, which is to say a therapist (or nosey neighbor or friend at a bar) or a lover, (a technician who can 'fix the problem' with a few tweaks--define tweaks however you will in this context,lol)

Larry
bryoncunningham OP
890 posts
 
After hearing about my damaged center channel, my Meridian dealer has returned to his theory that the cause of the problem is some kind of "leakage" out of the Pass Labs amp.

I have a multimeter. Are there measurements I can take at the amp's inputs to see if there is some kind of "leakage"?
lrsky
1,118 posts
 
The only thing I can think of is dc offset...but I believe that the Meridian has an ongoing problem--an easy eval from Louisville, KY. (Don't laugh, Ashly Judd has a clause in her contracts that Kentucky has to be mentioned in her movies, and SHE'S cute! Are you?
Anyway, it's almost assuredly the Preamp/Processor that has the problem and unlikely that the Pass amp is backfeeding the preamp something harmful...
Larry
mickeyf
153 posts
 
I guess one way to deal with it would be to have the PASS tested by a qualified tech to determine if it is displaying any aberrations. I have one of the best techs in Canada about 10 miles away from me and he has tinkered with various bits of my gear in recent years. When I told him I had bought a c5 year old X-250, his reponse was : "I dont imagine I'll be peeking under the hood of that piece for another 15 years or so'.
6550c
393 posts
 
Why? I had a Pass amp and one of the transformers got real buzzy right away. I would expect all more from something that expensive!
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