Power amp broke today--anything I can do?

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Traitorous Usurper
It's an Alesis RA-100. (Let's go ahead and assume that all Alesis jokes are an understood given, shall we? :D ) I've got it plugged into a Furman RP-8L, so there shouldn't be a big surge problem, I would think. I pulled out the fuse and it looks okay to me (little metal wire still intact), but maybe this could be the problem anyway? Today, I did buy a new (okay it's used and quite ancient) Toa rack delay that I ran through the Furman as well, but that shouldn't knock out my amp, should it? HELP! Without my monitors, I'm nothing! Any ideas, or am I in need of a new amp?
 
Replace the fuse to make sure. If you don't have another fuse handy and you want to TEMPORARILY test it, unplug the amp, wrap aluminum foil from one end of the fuse to the other and pop it in. I assume the Furman is powering up, correct? If you get it working again, make sure the fuse is rated for what the amp is calling for.
 
Shit. It's not the fuse. It tested as being good. Any other ideas? I've also tried switching power cables...
 
Any unusual smells when it first failed?? Seriously, that would be a great clue... Did you change your speaker configuration or wiring??
 
ez_willis said:
Replace the fuse to make sure. If you don't have another fuse handy and you want to TEMPORARILY test it, unplug the amp, wrap aluminum foil from one end of the fuse to the other and pop it in. I assume the Furman is powering up, correct? If you get it working again, make sure the fuse is rated for what the amp is calling for.
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i REALLY have to disagree with this advice. this is a fast way to literally destroy a unit that has been protected by a fuse because of some other malfunction. a fuse is in place to protect the unit, and it's user incase of break down. you could do alot more damage to the amp, and more importantly yourself.
 
turnitdown said:
Any unusual smells when it first failed?? Seriously, that would be a great clue... Did you change your speaker configuration or wiring??
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Nope, didn't change anything. That's another thing that's so strange about all of this...no pops, no smells, no smoke, no nothing.

I just went out and bought another one, since I needed something to monitor on, so at least I've got some sound now. But if anybody else has any ideas, that'd be great. Seems kinda pointless to bring in a 100 amp for repairs. Then again, who doesn't need more amps? ;)
 
Cave Dweller said:
i REALLY have to disagree with this advice. this is a fast way to literally destroy a unit that has been protected by a fuse because of some other malfunction. a fuse is in place to protect the unit, and it's user incase of break down. you could do alot more damage to the amp, and more importantly yourself.
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Destroy the broken amp??
 
ez_willis said:
Destroy the broken amp??
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i just don't agree that using tinfoil is the best way to test the amplifier. it may cause more damage. that is, IF the fuse is actually blown. and in this case, it seems that it is another problem.

a fuse blowing is usually the gear telling you that something is wrong. MAYBE the fuse has just reached the end of it's life. but PROBABLY it's because something more serious is going on, and defeating the protection that a fuse provides is very dangerous.
 
Whatever the case may be, here's the facts:

1. The fuse works.
2. I ran out of tinfoil. :D
 
I have never seen a fuse fail on it's own.... it has always blown as a result of another failed component.

In other words, every time I replaced a fuse, it immediately blew again...

For what it's worth.... (?????)
 
Very true. This is the weirdest damn thing. I've never seen electronic equipment just "stop working" without at least something else to go along with it, like a nice burning smell, some kind of popping noise, or one of the several pornstars that frequent my room having multiple orgasms all over the thing.
 
ez_willis said:
You have tried plugging it into a different outlet, correct?
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LOL, yep! Even tried doing it left-handed, because ya just never know...
 
Did you stick your tongue out like Michael Jordan used to do, it worked for him, who knows?
 
there could be some internal fuses inside.try opening it up.
Fuses usually fail because of shorts in either output or driver transistors located in the output stage , or blown diodes in the rectifier bridge.
NEVER PUT FOIL IN OVER A FUSE
A STUPID IDEA
You should locate replacement fuses and see if they blow when the unit is turned on again.
If they blow then it's likely a short in one of those area i mentioned above. :)
 
I was kinda wondering about that--the whole "open up the amp" thing. Here's where my true ignorance is shining through, so I'd better make sure. Don't amps have things inside that are damn near lethal if you fuck with 'em too much? I thought I remembered reading that some of those parts still carry a pretty hefty current, and I'm not sure what I should avoid. Yes, no, maybe?
 
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