A $20 DMM is all you need to check the DC offset, bias, and rail voltages. If you have a problem you can hear you're talking variations of at least 75mV. If there is DC at the outputs, try the amp at a friend's house to rule out the amp. If it still reads significant DC, it's the amp. If it did show DC and stops elsewhere, then there may be something drawing significant current off the mains using half-wave rectification. That would put DC on the AC mains. Half-wave rectification is common with LED lighting and small, cheap power supplies. I'd also look for DC on the pre-amp outputs. Even a few mV would be a problem.
That's the kind of troubleshooting I'd be doing. Everything except checking the bias and rails is cheap and easy and rules out problems. I think anytime you have a stereo change it's sound you should look for DC on the outputs. I wouldn't assume an amp like the XA30.8 would have rigorous DC protection due to it's very low bandwidth limit.
That's the kind of troubleshooting I'd be doing. Everything except checking the bias and rails is cheap and easy and rules out problems. I think anytime you have a stereo change it's sound you should look for DC on the outputs. I wouldn't assume an amp like the XA30.8 would have rigorous DC protection due to it's very low bandwidth limit.

