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Serious Power Problems with my HPA2

Hello all
I bought a proceed hpa-2 and im having some power issues that i nor anyone else ive ask can answer. The Proceed amp goes thru several checks when you turn main power on and if it does not like what it sees it goes into protection and wont let you turn on standby power. With the amp plugged into just the wall no inputs or spk cables connected (but yes i have tried it with those connected) the amp at my house goes into protection. my volt meter says i have a fairly steady 121.9 to 122.5 vac. if i leave the amp on the floor and run an extension cord to my neighbors house the amp powers on fine every time. I checked his voltage and its in the same range as mine. I have turned off every circuit breaker in my home and ONLY connected the amp and still have the same problem (its a 20 amp circuit) ive called the power company to come out and check the power (they say its fine) and called an electrician to come check house wiring (he says its fine). What am i missing? is there any power device that would solve this problem that can handle the current draw of an hpa-2? Does anyone know anything about the problem im having or can you offer any ideas as to why this is happening?
Please help as im out of ideas
Thanks
Lee
LRoss@CNGMail.com
lross
no_money
638 posts
 
Have you tried to contact Madrigal yet? If you purchased new from a dealer you might want to contact them also. Have you tried to power the amp from another outlet in the house? I would think the electrician would have checked this, but make sure the ground is good to the house. You can buy outlet checker, I think at Radio Shack or Lowes. Also check the voltage with a load on it and see if it drops. Hope you get to music soon.
jcbtubes
400 posts
 
I would also check to see if the hot and neutral wires have been reversed at the outlet(s) or at the junction box, or that the ground wire is not properly grounded. European electronics typically have more stringent power safety regulations. If any abnormal condition exists, the equipment won't function. Goodluck.
objective67a2
1 posts
 
may not help...but I have an HPA3 and a levinson 334 in my hifi room...all running on the same 20 amp circuit...although conditioned through Tice power supplies...this 1 circuit also has my RP TV and the sub...seems like it would be localized in the amp....

good luck
liguy
228 posts
 
Try one last thing before you box up your amp and send it away. Jctubes has a valid point about neutral and ground being swapped. I understand your electrician had a look, but nobody is totally infallable. Lord knows there have been a hundred or so times that I have caught myself after a second look. Go to your local hardware store and for maybe $10 pick up an outlet tester. This is not a test light but an outlet tester. The tester usually has 3 small lights on it. If you plug it into your outlet and it is wired correctly a certain sequence of the lights will light. If the outlet is wired incorectly a different sequence will light and the sequence can be decoded to determine exactly what is wired wrong. This inexpensive tool should be in every audiophile's toolbox. I also recommend if it checks ok to plug your amp in to one of the plugs and the tester into the other to test it under a load. I have seen a few instances where resistance in the ground path to an outlet has caused a problem and this can only be found when a load is placed on the circuit so current is drawn. The tester should be able to pick up this problem also. For less than $10 it is worth a try and if you do find something please don't blame your electrician as nobody is perfect and everybody has an off day now and then. Good luck.
no_money
638 posts
 
Any verdict yet Lross?
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