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 1 response by cleeds

cleeds
6,070 posts
 

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This device is to block DC on an AC line. That’s not the OP’s problem, which is ostensibly DC on the output.

If an amp’s DC protection is engaged, I’d check its output caps first. But how do you know it’s a DC fault that’s triggering protection? It could be overheating or a stray strand of speaker wire touching the wrong terminal, for example.

 

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