Hi Bob,
Nice to hear that you got your DNA-1 back into service and are enjoying it. The protection circuit monitors DC at the output and shuts-down the amp if it exceeds a certain level. It is possible that it was just doing its job - it may be that both the DNA-1 and your Marantz receiver needed to warm-up a bit and get all the electrolytic caps re-formed to minimize leakage currents and get everything working properly again. In any event it seems to be working now, so I will hope it keeps on delivering good Christmas Carols for a long time.
Best regards,
Steve McCormack
SMc Audio