Quad artera pop/thump

[Italian Job]

Hello
I recently purchased a quad artera power amplifier, whenever I power it on the speakers make a pop, then I can hear the relay click.
I wasn't too worried at first but then chat gpt told me to take a look at the drivers to see if the were any movement...

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qYZXIE_BU9xpwgFVmclJ47B4rUnwDGK3/view?usp=drivesdk

It's definitely coming from the amplifier It does the same thing even when disconnected from the preamp.
I sent an email to quad support but It'd be useful to hear some of your opinions.
Should the cone move that much? Could that damage it in the long run?

Thanks!

 

[Redacted]

I'd say that was a lot!
I'd make a warranty claim.

 

[Italian Job]

It's my first class AB so I wasn't too sure what's acceptable and what is not. That seems a lot to me too

 

[DavidEdwinAston]

My artera pre amp, and Platinum mono's, " click, hum slightly and then come to life, with switch on. However, the actual speakers are on a independent switch. A different situation from yours, I accept

 

[Italian Job]

My artera pre amp, and Platinum mono's, " click, hum slightly and then come to life, with switch on. However, the actual speakers are on a independent switch. A different situation from yours, I accept

I guess so.
Rather than the loudness I'm more worried about the cone excursion.

 

[Redacted]

Cone will survive that.

 

[Roland68]

Hello
I recently purchased a quad artera power amplifier, whenever I power it on the speakers make a pop, then I can hear the relay click.
I wasn't too worried at first but then chat gpt told me to take a look at the drivers to see if the were any movement...

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qYZXIE_BU9xpwgFVmclJ47B4rUnwDGK3/view?usp=drivesdk

It's definitely coming from the amplifier It does the same thing even when disconnected from the preamp.
I sent an email to quad support but It'd be useful to hear some of your opinions.
Should the cone move that much? Could that damage it in the long run?

Thanks!

This absolutely should not be happening.
There is clearly DC voltage present at the speaker output—and far too much of it, at that.
Unless this turns out to be a defect, I would recommend getting a different power amplifier.

I have personally lost two sets of speakers due to DC voltage issues with high-end amplifiers from a German manufacturer; since then, I have become much more cautious in this regard.

By the way, I used to own high-end amplifiers in the 4,000 to 10,000+ range.
Nowadays, I use equipment such as 3E Audio, the Sabaj A30a, and Benchmark, as well as amplifiers based on high-end Hypex or Purifi technology. And that's not just because of the measured values, but also from a sonic point of view and based on experience.

 

[DSJR]

Your speakers almost certainly had Quad amps used in testing (they used Hegel for shows, I believe). A pal of mine, had a mint used Elite power amp (the slim one) and sent it back to the seller because of the switch-on thump it has, which earlier more band-limited versions don't do.

The DC does subside after a second or so and the cone isn't smacking against its back stop, so maybe that pulse isn't as severe as it looks. I like the Artera power amp (and family predecessors) very much and it'll be interesting to see what Quad say.

By the way, what are you doing using that speaker with grilles off? Their designer tells us they're balanced as a family for grilles ON and toed in to the listener

 

[Italian Job]

This absolutely should not be happening.
There is clearly DC voltage present at the speaker output—and far too much of it, at that.
Unless this turns out to be a defect, I would recommend getting a different power amplifier.

I have personally lost two sets of speakers due to DC voltage issues with high-end amplifiers from a German manufacturer; since then, I have become much more cautious in this regard.

By the way, I used to own high-end amplifiers in the 4,000 to 10,000+ range.
Nowadays, I use equipment such as 3E Audio, the Sabaj A30a, and Benchmark, as well as amplifiers based on high-end Hypex or Purifi technology. And that's not just because of the measured values, but also from a sonic point of view and based on experience.

thanks for the advice, last thing I want is to damage the Harbeth!
I really hope I got a faulty unit because I like the amp, but depending on their answer I might need to look into other options (benchmark!)

 

[Italian Job]

Your speakers almost certainly had Quad amps used in testing (they used Hegel for shows, I believe). Apal had a mint used Elite power amp (the slim one) and sent it back to ther seller because of the switch-on thump it has, which earlier more band-limited versions don't do.

The DC does subside after a second or so and the cone isn't smacking against its back stop, so maybe that pulse isn't as severe as it looks. I like the Artera power amp (and family predecessors) very much and it'll be interesting to see what Quad say.

By the way, what are you doing using that speaker with grilles off? Their designer tells us they're balanced as a family for grilles ON and toed in to the listener

The pop is not too aggressive, but the cone might be moving some10mm, not sure how normal that is.
I took the grills off while troubleshooting to check if the cone was moving, otherwise I religiously keep them on all the time

 

[Redacted]

Start the warranty claim before it runs out ...

 

[Italian Job]

Start the warranty claim before it runs out ...

I'll get in touch with them tomorrow

 

[Roland68]

The pop is not too aggressive, but the cone might be moving some10mm, not sure how normal that is.
I took the grills off while troubleshooting to check if the cone was moving, otherwise I religiously keep them on all the time

The problem isn't just that the speaker cone is displaced by approximately 10 mm—which in itself points to excessive DC voltage. Far worse is the fact that the cone remains held in this position for about half a second. This clearly demonstrates the presence of a static DC component during that specific timeframe.

 

[Italian Job]

The problem isn't just that the speaker cone is displaced by approximately 10 mm—which in itself points to excessive DC voltage. Far worse is the fact that the cone remains held in this position for about half a second. This clearly demonstrates the presence of a static DC component during that specific timeframe.

I will point that out to them, thank you!

 

[DavidEdwinAston]

I can't work out how you can see the cone movement on switch on?
My amplification on a shelf three feet above and behind the speakers.

 

[Italian Job]

I can't work out how you can see the cone movement on switch on?
My amplification on a shelf three feet above and behind the speakers.

Is this a serious question haha mine is at floor level, and using my big toe and long arms makes it possible.

 

[Redacted]

They have cool things like remote controls and phone apps these days, as well. But maybe this is rocket science beyond Quad?

 

[Italian Job]

But it does have a trigger connection

 

[Redacted]

But it does have a trigger connection

Yes, but no need to be the Lone Ranger, so long as you have a means to trigger it, or just wire a 12v battery to a suitably long cable with a switch and correct connector and you're sorted.

I'm thinking a refund is not a bad idea, and buying some other kit!

 

[Roland68]

They have cool things like remote controls and phone apps these days, as well. But maybe this is rocket science beyond Quad?

An app that lets you remotely control not just your streamer, but *all* your devices? You know—with Wi-Fi networking and all that? Available for iOS, Android, Kindle Fire devices, Windows PCs, Macs, and Android smartwatches? And, of course, controllable via Alexa as well?
Is *that* the kind of rocket science you’re talking about?