Just sent an inquiry via Primare "contact us" website. Thanks for the suggestion.
Primare A32 front panel-rapidly flashing standby indicator light
Anyone own or owned a Primare A32 power amp and had problems with the front panel standby indicator flashing rapidly? Over the last few months I've had to manipulate the rear left speaker cable inputs to hear sound out of the left speaker
each time I turned it on. But the unit always powered up and eventually played beautifully. Now I get nothing. I've disconnected and then reconnected the power cord,
the XLR cables from the preamp, and both speaker cables. The fuse is in good shape. But the standby indicator still flashes when I try to power it up. A designer flaw I've found is that the front panel is attached by 6 tiny screws (2 on top, 1 on lower L & R side, & 2 underneath). For such a massive unit one would think the designers could've used sturdier screws. The top right screw broke a while back and may have left a fragment in the screw hole (hard to tell it's so small). The front panel now has a little wiggle room which may be causing some wiring hit and miss inside though I can't see how. I've never pushed or pulled on the front plate after the unit was set up and it's played many months without problems. I researched online and found Audio Elite Technician LLC in Lakebay WA. The website says they offer factory authorized service for Primare gear (along with McIntosh gear). Anybody ever dealt with these guys? The A32 weighs 88 pounds and I'm not fond of trying to ship it out of state. Should I try a local repair shop first? I really love my system's sound and want the A32 back in the game so I can again lose myself in musical bliss.
Showing 18 responses by mewsickbuff
I contacted the Primare manufacturer and they referred me to the guys in WA, but also supplied (when I requested) the A32 service manual and schematics for a local repair shop to use. Great customer service, I'd say. I also found one of my speaker wires (Audience Au24se) has gone bad. Contacted Audience and they have a lifetime warranty and will repair the cable. 2 great companies. |
jetter, You're probably spot on about manipulating the speaker wire resulting in its breaking. Sometimes I manipulated it at the speaker end and other times at the amp end. For a while I was afraid my MA Gold 300 left speaker was a lemon. But Audience sent my cables back (looks like a new pair). I've reconnected the cables, speakers and amp (Onkyo until the Primare gets repaired) and both speakers play without flaw and sound pretty fantastic. |
martyfriedman, I haven’t priced shipping and insurance. Though it’s not funny I had to laugh when you said "my head exploded." I suppose when I do look into it I won’t be laughing anymore. This beast (boxed for shipment) weighs somewhere around 95 pounds. I plan to have UPS pick it up at my house. As stated earlier Primare supplied a service manual and schematics. I’ve taken a look at them both, but I’m not electronics savvy. I understand maybe 2% of the manual and 0% of the schematics. In my case it would be best if I don’t look for an internal fuse or try to find an "error code." For me, the best route is still to ship it and let the experts fix it. I hope it is something simple. But thanks for the info. Are you planning to DIY? If you do, let me know how it turns out. Best of luck. |
Okay, I got curious and opened my amp. There's a fuse on the bottom panel near the back. It's fine. BUT there are also 4 other fuses! 2 mounted on the left and right front wall panels. And guess what? 1 is blown. Problem. Hopefully someone here can help me out. The number engraved on all 4 fuses is F6.3AL250VP. I've looked around on the internet and seen fuses that end in 250V but none with 250VP. Can someone tell me the difference between VP and V (and please dummy it down to simple language)? Also, where can I find a VP fuse or is it safe to just use the 250V? The manual says replace the exact same fuse. |
gentlemen, I am a Mrs. not a sir (not that you could have know). But audioconnection, I did email Primare at [email protected]. I asked if they have fuses for sale. I am waiting on a response. Thanks for the suggestion. I just hope when all is said and done, the fuse is the only thing that needs attention. I’ll just add the Primare A32 is some kind of beast with it’s cover off! |
Good day all. I received a reply back from Vana after inquiring about the specific fuse I removed. They say they'll sell a dozen for $3.60 + shipping. Sounds like a bargain to me. I've asked for an invoice. Waiting for a response. Audioconnection, can I purchase the 5 amp Fast Blow fuse from Radio Shack or a major hardware store? |
audioconnection, I want to say a BIG THANKS for your recommendation to install a 5 amp fast blow fuse. IT WORKED & my amp is back up and running!!! One exception, I installed a 6 amp fuse instead (purchased from a major hardware store-4 for $8). I still have a dozen Primare custom fuses coming from VANA ($16 with shipping added) for future mishaps. But the expert repair folks at Audio Elite said in an email that the A32 is highly reliable. So hopefully I'll have years (decades) of trouble-free listening ahead. Thanks for everyone's suggestions!!! You guys saved me a ton of money!!! Martyfriedman, DIY and save a ton of money, too. Best of luck. |
@martyfriedman, I love Amazon. Once your tools arrive, repairs will be easy breezy. @jafant , I hang out here, headfi and computer audiophile. I've learned a lot from all 3 sites. Here's my system: 1. JRiver Media Center 22 on PC 2. WyWires Silver USB cable 3. Calyx Femto DAC 4. Violectric XLR interconnect to 5. Primare Pre32 preamp 6. Violectric XLR interconnect to 7. Primare A32 power amp 8. Audience Au24se speaker cables to 9. Monitor Audio Gold 300 floorstanders 10. SVS PC-2000 subwoofer (no special cable) 11. PS Audio 5 Powerplant runs my computer, DAC and preamp. That's my little system and, thank you, I'm more than happy with it. I have no desire for any changes in the next decade or 2 or 3 (unless something goes out). |
Thanks for the warm reception. The last mechanical tinkering I did was when I was around 8 years old. I'd gotten a portable reel to reel for Christmas
(giving my age away now). I recorded my first song (self-written) and one day became curious how the thing worked. I opened it up, and of course couldn't put it back together. I've never tried to repair anything electronic since. But with encouragement from everyone who replied to my inquiry, I opened up my amp and thank God it was a simple fix. I've always loved music. I had a transistor radio back in the day and got my first "record player" when I was 12. It had a lid & handle making it portable; and of course the metal spindle & arm that allowed 4 or 5 records to be stacked on it. When the prior record finished playing another would drop and play. With it I got a 45 record from the soundtrack "My Fair Lady" with "Get Me to the Church On Time" and "On the Street Where You Live." Somewhere along life's way I lost them both. But I still have the LP Vinyl of "Merry Christmas the Supremes" that I also got that Christmas and there are no scratches (well, none that skip)! It's still one of my favorite Christmas albums and I listen to it year round. How did you guys get into this hobby? |
I received my VANA fuses yesterday and the package says "6.3A Fast Acting." I'm not going to reopen my amp to put one in. I'm going to stick with the 6 amp fuse (which is a fast blow) I put in from the hardware store. When & if any others blow, I'll have the manufacturer's fuses as replacements. Until that day, I'm going to sit back and enjoy the music. Glad to hear you're making progress. |
Funny! I didn't mention it earlier, but that's how I blew mine. Switched from listening to a quiet song, forgot to turn the volume back down, the next song blasted my ears off for a few seconds. Played another song or 2 then turned it off because I couldn't get sound from the left speaker. Next time I fired it up...rapid flashing front panel light. Interesting they changed to a slow acting fuse. Doesn't that run the risk of damaging something? Isn't the fast acting fuse protective for something? Weird VANA would send me fast acting fuses, while the repair guys are recommending slow acting. Oh, well, I'll be a lot more attentive with that volume control :) |