Looking for advice - Mola Mola Kaluga amp has no output

I wish you luck. That would make a very expensive doorstop.

Please unplug your Mola Mola Kaluga amp from all electrical power, wait a full 5 minutes. Plug it back and see if this works. If not, I suggest you call your retailer. If not possible, send another email to Mola Mola. Call them if possible.

A better solution is to call:

Distributors USA AND CANADA

GTT Audio

+1 908 850 3092

av@gttaudio.com

http://www.gttaudio.com

More suggestions:

Based on the search results provided, the Mola Mola Kaluga amplifier does have audio output, but there may be some troubleshooting steps required if the user is experiencing no output:

1. Verify the mains connection and check the fuse. If the power cable works with another device but the Kaluga does not power on, the fuse may need to be replaced.[1]

2. Check that the input switch on the Kaluga is set correctly to RCA or XLR, and verify the speaker wiring is connected properly between the positive and negative terminals.[1] 

3. Inspect the speaker cables for any shorts or issues that could be causing distortion or interruptions in the sound.[1]

4. Ensure the Kaluga is not in standby mode - the power LED should be lit white when the amp is on.[1]

5. If the 12V trigger input is being used, check that it is properly connected and that the trigger is activating the Kaluga as expected.[1]

If the user has followed these troubleshooting steps and is still experiencing no output, the Kaluga may require service or repair. The manual advises contacting the local retailer if the unit is not functioning as expected.[1]

[1] Kaluga Power Amplifier User's Manual

@hgeifman thanks for taking to time to respond. I have followed all of the above and its still non-functional. At this point it is evident to me that this needs repair. Let me wait to hear from Mola Mola. The fact that the units are powering up but are cold to the touch, and fuse isnt doing anything, means there is little i can do at this stage....thanks again.

Please call Bill Parrish from GTT. He is the USA Distributor for Mola Mola and is very helpful. His email address is av@gttaudio.com

I emailed him your Audiogon post.

@musicmatters1206, Email from Bill Parish from GTT says "Thanks - Yeah MM is out today, National Holiday over there. When they are back in and sort thru their emails they will just kick it to me. Then I will have a way of contacting him".

I suggest you call Bill Parish at GTT ASAP. He is aware of your Mola Mola situation because of my email. Thanks...

@musicmatters1206, Email I received from  Mola Mola:

"My name is Ewald Verkerk,
I am the international sales director at Mola Mola,
Sorry to hear about one of your amplifiers failing
Due to a public holiday our support team is not available today,
Please contact our US distributor GTT Audio for a swift response!
[filtered]
[filtered]
Have a good day,
Best Regards 
Ewald Verkerk"

Audiogon filtered out some of the words.  Please call Bill Parish at GTT for help with your Mola Mola equipment.  Thanks.  

@hgeifman many thanks for your immense help here. I will connect with Bill (he is actually in NJ, not too far from me) and keep you all posted, as this mysterious problem might of interest to many. Thanks again

Two questions:

1. Have you tried plugging in the Kaluga directly into an outlet rather than the power plant?

2. What is the input into the Kaluga? Have you been able to verify that this is working?

3. Isn't the Kaluga class D?  If so it is not surprising that it is not getting warm especially when not playing music.

@deone thanks for your response.

1. Yes, tried

2. XLR input from Zesto Leto preamp. I do not think Zesto is the issue, as the headphone output is working fine. Also both output tubes going out at the same time is rather unlikely

3. It is class D, but it gets warm when on. I have had these for years, they are never cold to the touch.

The one last thing i will do is change the xlr cables from Zesto to Mola Mola, but again two xlr cables going out at the same time just isn't likely.....what a mess.,

@musicmatters1206, This Audiogon member purchases non working amplifiers from various companies. I suggest you can him and see what he offers on your Mola Mola Kulgua amps. It certainly is worth a phone call.

Wanted - Broken / As Is / Non Working Audio Gear link:

Thanks all but i will wait to hear from Mola Mola and GTT before anything else, it is a great company and a great distributor with support reputation to back them up. Will keep you all posted.

Question: Aren't the Kaluga monoblocks?  if so, isn't it strange that neither of them is producing any output?  Can you borrow any power amp and test the preamp out?

@musicmatters1206, I agree with @deone above that is very strange that both Mola Mola amps stopped working at the same time. Is there a possibility the issue could be with the preamp? Please keep us posted thanks

Hi @musicmatters1206 were you able to get your situation resolved?

All, apologies it took me a while as we were in Europe on vacation. Current situation:

1. GTT very helpful, i had to ship the amps directly to Hypex and paid in advance for power supplies, with no guarantee that this indeed is a power supply problem. If it is something else i am assured my payment will be adjusted towards whatever the problem is.

2. It is stuck in customs now for 2 weeks. Once it gets to. Hypex i hope to get some updates.

3. I contacted PS Audio about Stellar. Their first answer is that Stellar is more of a regenerator than a protector - quite different from what the product description depicts on their own website. Either way, they have no insurance available for connected equipment, unlike many much less expensive alternatives who offer this cover. 

My learning from this: NEVER plug in amps to anything except the wall. Everything i had connected directly are totally fine. 

I will share more as i learn more. Needless to say, HUGE thanks to so many of you who helped me through the process....Much appreciated.

@musicmatters1206, It is no fun having equipment stuck in customs.   I suggest you call GTT and ask what can you do to get it unstuck.  I also suggest you call your shipper to see if they can help and to ensure all the paperwork is correct.  

Of course, the delay might because of the volume of packages.  In any case, I suggest you be proactive about getting it through customs.  

Good luck @musicmatters1206 .  I am still puzzled how two monoblocks died at the same time with the same symptoms...it cannot be a fluke and it must mean that something feeding into the monoblocks must be responsible; could be the powerplant or the preamp.  Would be worth making sure that both are checked and tested carefully so you don't damage the repaired amp.

It hasn't been my experience that a dealer/distributor or the shipper has any pull with customs to speed up their process.

@deone brings up an interesting point of how both Mola Mola mono block amps stopped working at the same time.

I agree this issue needs to be further investigated including a conversion with GTT.

@deone, you must be right, but i am refraining from making any judgment before Hypex gets back to me. They were all busy with Munich High End so this is going to take some time. This is going to very useful information for all of us, as this goes to the heart of power conditioning/protection/supply topic. I will be sure to keep you all posted. I am working with good partners at GTT/Mola Mola. Thanks

Must add: I just bought a Primare SPA25 as a temporary solution while the Mola Molas are out. This multichannel receiver will eventually go to my HT system and replace a Yama Aventage receiver there, which i was planning for anyway.

The SPA25 is quite unique for a receiver - very good build quality, quality dacs and amp modules, roon ready coming soon and has dirac live for use in HT system later. It's still burning in, but must say sounds reasonably good. If curious, check it out online. Must say, for such a high build quality its reasonably priced, but getting it to work was a total nightmare - very poor manual and you cannot set up without a TV (i hate that)...once set up, everything is good. Roon ready supposed to come in June according to distributor i spoke to.

YEs it has taken this long, but i wanted to provide an update to everyone who helped me immensely through the process of my Mola Mola journey. Bottomline:

1. Bill Parish at GTT was super helpful and with his support I shipped the pair to Hypex in Netherlands for power supply replacements. Total outgo $2250 inculding shipping.

2. It took a few weeks but I have the amps back, basically a completely new set as the output stage was also upgraded at no cost to me.

3. I contacted PS Audio to see if they have an explanation why only the equipment connected to the Stellar P3 conditioner died, and everything else in my house were not affected. The rep's comments were simply stunning

a. he claimed its more of a regenerator and not a protector. Literally the first line in the product description on their website says it protects. 

b. he said they simply did not have any warranty or insurance for connected equipment and cannot help me in any way. As i found out the hard way, even a $300 power conditioner from Best Buy comes with connected equipment warranty. Hard lesson learned

c. When I said this is really terrible and i will let the entire agon community know, he plainly said i can go right ahead and do whatever i want to do, including any formal complaints. They just don't care.

When I introduced the Stellar P3 in my system it had zero effect on sound quality to my ears. Neither better nor worse. But i kept for peace of mind. YMMV. But PS Audio is now on my blacklist because it could not protect my $17K amps and they simply don't want to be bothered helping in any way. It is plain stunning that as a leading seller of power conditioners they have no insurance. Wow.

Glad that you have your amps back and the long wait must have sucked!

Did Ampex indicate what was the problem and what was the likely cause?