2. amps-preamps
  3. 181429-9313

DC entering my amp?

I have an SPL Performer 800 amp that has a DC protection function. Once every week or two that function gets tripped, not necessarily while playing music. I use good quality cables and the connections are tight. I have a tube preamp ahead of the SPL so thinking that could be it. It is single-ended output only and the SPL is balanced only so I use the single-to-balanced interconnects from Benchmark Media. Source is a Lumin streamer and an outboard DAC. All components are plugged into an Audioquest Powerquest unit. Harbeth speakers connected to amp via good Kimber cables. I leave all components on all the time for the most part.

Any ideas on where/how to look for the problem? I did once just leave only the amp on for several days and it didn't trip.

itball

Showing 2 responses by atmasphere

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,086 posts
 

@itball Pay attention to what @gs5556 says- he is giving you really good advice for getting to the bottom of this. I would add that if the preamp isn't connected and the DC Offset at the speaker terminals goes up, then the amp is at fault.

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,086 posts
 

Once every week or two that function gets tripped, not necessarily while playing music. I use good quality cables and the connections are tight. I have a tube preamp ahead of the SPL so thinking that could be it.

@itball The amp could also have a noisy transistor or opamp at its input. If this is the case, disconnecting the input cables could make the problem worse. DC is a rare problem to encounter with a tube preamp!

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