Overloading?

Posted by: Ade Archer on 01 February 2001

Hi All,

I borrowed a 250 today to try with my 72/hi instead of my 140. CDX/72/hi/140 were all previously plugged into a double socket on the end of a seperate spur with no problems.
Now when I try to plug the 140 power lead into the 250 (all switched off of course) the circuit breaker blows when I turn it on and the only way of listening is to plug the 250 into another socket seperate to the hifi.

Is there a simple solution?

Ade.

Ps. Swapped my budget rack for a 2nd hand Ash Design rack 2 days ago with pleasing results. They don't seem to get much of a mention here for some reason, but if I recall one of the Naim staff uses (used?) it, so it can't be too bad.

Posted on: 01 February 2001 by ray dodd

Ade,
When you say circuit breaker , do you know if it is RCD ? If it is the 250 may have a fault that produces an earth current that trips this type of breaker but will not trip the ordinary over current protection breaker.This would be borne out if the other socket that it works in is not of the RCD type....hope this makes sense !

Posted on: 01 February 2001 by Ade Archer

Thanks for your help, I've experimented with the powering-up sequence and been succesful. The sequence was 250/Hicap/CDX and so far everything is on together and connected to the dedicated spur.
Ray, it's a normal circuit breaker, it was obviously just sensitive to sudden loads.

Thanks again.

Ade

Posted on: 01 February 2001 by Martin Payne

Ade,

just on precautionary principles I would consider replacing a 'dodgy' RCD, as it could have a small but significatn fault which might be affecting the system.

However, I would still be concerned that there might be some sort of problem with the 250, which you have managed to mask via your switch-on routine.

Is it a new item?

cheers, Martin

Posted on: 02 February 2001 by ray dodd

Ade ,
I think Martin has a point ,the circuit breaker [15A ?]should able to cope with powering up a 250 from cold with the rest of the system .To repeat Martin...... either the circuit breaker is faulty or there is a problem with the 250 .
Are you happy with the 250 performance over the 140 ?

Posted on: 03 February 2001 by Phil Barry

I keep my system (except CD player, unused since August) powered on. The power has failed while the apt has been empty, and I always come home to find my HK Citation 23 tuner, 82, 2x hicap, 250 powered up fine from a 15A/120V circuit. All equipment is plugged into a wiremold power strip,

Posted on: 04 February 2001 by Ade Archer

Ray,

As you asked about 140 vs 250, I thought I would post my opinion so far. So far I would not consider it a cost effective upgrade, I would even say that there are aspects of my 140 I think are better, although I appreciate that the 250 is a display model that has probably hardly been used, and my 140 has been warming up for 10 years.
My listening room is about 14'X 11' and the 250 may be better in a larger room, but I can't help thinking that the 140 sounded tighter, surprisingly, in bass presentation. The 250 had more of it but seemed to dominate other aspects as a result, whereas the 140 seemed better balanced. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to say the 140 is a better amp than the 250, just that in my system it seemed to give a bigger sound rather than a better sound.

Ade