Amp Shutting Down, need help

Metro04 - First off thank you very much for your insight. I had my friend who is knowledgeable about power test the lines and he confirmed that the polarity is correct vs. the small and large slots. He also noted that none of my outlets in my apartment are wired to ground it seems the ground is left to the junction boxes alone.

Where to go from here?

Cappy, *maybe* your grounding situation could be the culprit, though since I lack any knowledge regarding Cary's circuits, it might be worth a quick phone call to them for verification.

The only other thing I can think of is that your power cord might be wired backwards (if removable). I assume you've tried swapping it out with one or two other replacements as wiring mistakes do happen whether hi-end or cheap molded variants. Lots of equipment can still operate if reversed, but some circuit designs may take issue.

Also, since you haven't confirmed my question pertaining to your Cary being powered up with *no* input or speakers cables attached, have you tried powering it up with *only* speakers connected (no inputs)? Have you tried swapping speakers and speaker cables - independantly - just for troubleshooting sake (even using cheap speakers and lamp cord)? Note: The amp may not operate without speakers connected, and may trip off as well. See the operation manual for any warnings regarding operation without speakers connected.

Final advice; Be as systematic as possible while troubleshooting, change only one item at a time, and don't *assume* anything. After that, if you're *absolutely* sure every thing's wired correctly (including your AC), and Cary states your grounding configuration doesn't pose an issue, maybe someone else may have additional experience regarding acceptable DC percentages, if present.

In touch,

Thank you again for your suggestions! I am being extremely systematic and it never hurts to hear that over again:)

• I have tried two different power cords, the polarity on both of the power cords is correct
• The outlet polarity is correct. I have tried 4 different circuits in my apartment and the problem still occurs.
• I tried with and without speaker cables including lamp cord.
• It seems that none of my outlets have separate ground wires. I will call Cary today to discuss.
• Remember the unit works perfectly with a 50’ extension cord attached. WHY OH WHY does this work?
• My gut tells me that somehow I am getting dirty (do you love my technical term) electricity which causes the Cary to feedback and trip the 15amp circuit breaker. Remember the circuit breaker trips after 20 second after the unit is powered on.

To be continued……

After talking to many people I was told to attach a 50' extension cord and low and behold it worked.

What does the 50' extension cord add to the equation?

Impedance is the only thing that I can think of.....

The 50' cord increases the total length of the branch circuit feed to the amp.... ????

Was the only thing that was plugged into the end of the 50' cord the Cary amp?

If yes, it is possible the 50' cord/added impedance is some how decoupling the Cary power supply from some other piece of audio equipment that is fed off the same branch circuit the Cary is plugged into. ????

I would like you to do a test.

Unplug all your audio equipment from the dedicated 120V 20 amp branch circuit. You can leave the ICs connected to the Cary amp.

Now plug the Cary Amp directly into the wall receptacle of the 20 amp dedicated circuit. (The Cary is the only thing that is plugged into the duplex receptacle.)

Turn on the amp...... Post back your results.
.

I plugged the Cary amp directly into the 20 amp branch circuit; with and without interconnects and with and without speaker cables. Nothing else was plugged in to the branch. The 15amp circuit breaker (which is the on off switch for the amp) blows after 20seconds.

When I attached the 50' extension cord it only goes to the Amp and it works. Nothing else was attached to the extension cord and it worlks when all my other audio gear is plugged in as well.