Tricky Arcam amp issue

[Panamax]

Arcam A15 amplifier - new this year.

Pioneer CD player works perfectly through both the analog or digital inputs.

Marantz CD player 1 works perfectly through analog but has problems with digital. When a CD is started "44.1 khz" pops up on the amp's screen for a second or two and then disappears but no sound ever emerges.

Marantz CD player 2 works perfectly on analog for a few seconds but then the sound becomes very heavily distorted. Digital doesn't work at all, same as above.

I'm completely stumped. Changing the leads makes no difference. Both the Marantz CD players are old but play perfectly through two other amplifiers.

Any ideas?

[ashenfie]

Most odd, sadly I can’t think what to suggest.

[JoshSm]

Analog distortion could be some sort of mismatch and it's got some sort of AGC that is running away to its limits? Seems a bit weird.

Digital issue just seems to be inability to sync so either a serious clock mismatch or something along those lines, or maybe the signal is too weak (or strong!) and the amp can't handle it?

Sounds like an amp issue anyway, some kit just isn't very tolerant.

[Panamax]

JoshSm said:

Sounds like an amp issue anyway, some kit just isn't very tolerant.

That's where I'm left. A mis-match of some kind between these specific bits of equipment. I guess there is a 25 age difference between CD and amp. As it happens, quality is very good through the analog connection but I'd like to get to the bottom of it if possible. Always frustrating when things seem inexplicable.

[heisthegaffer]

Any firmware updates available?

Tried different cables?

[Panamax]

heisthegaffer said:

Any firmware updates available?
Tried different cables?

Yes, tried every cable in sight. Firmware is an interesting thought. I'll get on it. No doubt there's an Arcam helpline somewhere.

I had another amp (different manufacturer) that would stall on fibre signal from the TV. Their helpline told me to just change a setting and then everything was fine. This digital stuff can be darned tricky!

[heisthegaffer]

Panamax said:

heisthegaffer said:

Any firmware updates available?
Tried different cables?

Yes, tried every cable in sight. Firmware is an interesting thought. I'll get on it. No doubt there's an Arcam helpline somewhere.

I had another amp (different manufacturer) that would stall on fibre signal from the TV. Their helpline told me to just change a setting and then everything was fine. This digital stuff can be darned tricky!

Yes it can indeed. I had/have a similar issue with a bluray player where the optical out from the TV just won't send a signal to the amp yet everything else works fine.

I've had to plug HDMI from bluray to amp and then amp to TV which I didn't want to do cos the missus amd the lad find it confusing.