A Problem with my Iota VX Amplifiers 😔
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- Опубліковано 27 січ 2025
- Just my experience with TWO Iota VX PA3 Amplifiers.
Both with leaky capacitors right at the 3 year mark. =(
They are awesome when the are functioning properly.
And I'm glad I was in the room when the one started sparking and smoking.
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I purchased both of these when they first came out and had problems with both early on. I got a replacement and sold it as new/unopened. Still have the other which works sometimes. Too bad since they are great sounding amps.
Yeah. It's a shame for sure. They did sound great. I haven't gotten around to repairing them, but found someone local. I'll keep you guys posted on the results.
2000 hours is not for general use. That’s the lifespan of the capacitor at maximum or near maximum temp.
Yeah, good point Gus. I should have stated that. They still should have lasted way longer tho. These amps do get hot. I should scan the temp one of these days, but I've already had the caps replaced with higher temp rated caps just in case. Thanks for watching and for the feedback 👍
Really appreciate the video. I had the same problem here. I will repair them as I really live how it sounds
Mine have been repaired. I'm picking them up next week. I couldn't find an authorized IotaVx repair center as they don't reply to emails, but I found an authorized Marants/Denon company and I trust them. They said the 2 caps were just of bad quality and the rest were good. Nothing causing any other problems. Cost me $150 USD each.
@@RickRuizAudioI am just floored by this. Like WTF Iota!! These are so well reviewed but absolutely not worth it if it won’t last more than a few years. Maybe less if someone uses them more frequently.
This turned me off from IOTA entirely.
@@JonMoralesLA Yeah, hopefully the company who took over, will take a look at this and fix. It's just too bad for those of us who got the bad units and had to go out of pocket.
These caps are rated at 2000 hours, but at max temp, so in theory should have been good for years. What a shame for sure. But I have mine back and they're sounding great again. after $150 each. 🙄
@@JonMoralesLA I checked the warranties on a "few" sub $1000 pieces of equipment and they only came with a 2-year warranty (some had 3 years if you register it). Anyway, IMO there is a reason Mfg's only provide a 2-year warranty, and if ya want a longer warranty, ya typically have to spend more for higher-end equipment, which typically has higher quality parts. When I bought my IOTASa3 in 2021, based on its price & features, I was hoping to get maybe 5 years out it, but it's looking more like 3/ 4 years?!? Anyway, if it's only a $150/ $200 fix it it'll save me from having to spend another $500 to $1,200 to replace it.
@@MikeK6046 But this thing is a safety hazard, it’s not just a pain in the butt repair. Chance of electrical fire. 🔥 That’s where I draw the line. No thanks.
I remember Behringer had a lot of issues with that brand capacitor.
Iota's can run 'hot' and most issues popup when they are stacked on top of eachother. It seems some corners are cut re. design (heatsink) and budget component choices. Speakerload can also contribute to more heat. Succes with the repair.
I had my Iotas stacked but with the feet on. 1/2 inch of space in between the amps. The problem with changing the feet is that the bottom is offset so you need different sized feet. I might just add cork pads and add another 1/2 inch of space.
@@RickRuizAudio
Def. a good idea to increase space. Btw, 1/2" seems quite narrow... Most manuals advice to keep a couple of inches clearance above the amp to dissipate heat effectively. I guess the upgraded parts will help, but I would also suggest some form of active cooling if you have to stack or placed in a cabinet (and perhaps an infrared thermometer to verify). Curious about the outcome, good luck!
If Iota don't help you out, and I expect they will, pop in either the Mundorfs or ANs, both are great capacitors, famed for sounding very good indeed, both are great reliable companies too. Good luck!
Hey Adrian, thanks for watching. My technician let me know these weren't in the sound path. I think they were part of the 12v trigger. So I asked him to install the Vishays. I guess my emails were sent between the time the new owners took over Iota VX, but no one ever got back to me to this day. I ended up paying $150 per amp for the repair. 😞 They still sound great though.
Another brand added to my 'Must avoid at all cost' List ! thanks
Turns out the company didn't close, but was acquired. Maybe that's why they weren't responding to emails. Still a poor decision. They should have replied. Who knows if the new owners will repair the flaws. But I won't be buying again.
My only question and it's not meant as an insult, but why is the cap hitting 100c +? That's way too hot.
Exactly! I can only assume either the caps were defective or something in their circuit design is bad. I couldn't say for sure though.
if you know how to use a volt meter, put it in diode mode and check the transistors. you just need to put the probes in every config possible and make sure the meter doesnt read 0. they should read between .500 - .700 but in circuit they can read high. also check the bridge rectifier and diodes. just youtube how to test. way better than my explanation. :)
I do have a small voltmeter. Do you think the transistors might be damaged? I haven't heard back from Iota VX. It has been over a week. I'll email them again. But for sure I'll UA-cam , although I'm not experienced enough to try to diagnose a problem. I can solder in a cap or resistor but I don't want to damage it more by missing something and powering it back on. I do love learning things tho! Thanks 👍😃
I'm 4+ years on mine with up 2-8hrs of listening per day. Luckily no problem with mine yet, but I have new amps otw so the pa3's are going to my son.
I'd recommend opening them up and checking on the 2200uF caps before you give the PA3s to your son. Serious fire hazard. I don't know if this is a bad batch of capacitors or bad design that sends too much voltage to those caps, but just to be safe, give them a once over. I haven't heard of anyone else with this problem, but having had 2 with the same problem, I'm not cautious. No reply from Iota VX after almost 3 weeks and 2 email.
What are your new amps, by the way? @dicmccoy
@@RickRuizAudioI'll definitely do that when the new amps come in. The new amps are the VTV purifi 1ET400a monoblocks. I got them on the used market for the price that I paid for the pa3's new.
@@dicmccoy Good deal! I've been thinking of building a couple of monoblocks with the 1ET400A's also. I'm not ready to pull the trigger on it but I'm considering either the Neurochrome Buffer board w 1ET400A and either SMPS1200 or SMPS600. I'm going to reach out to Neurochrome and get their opinion on that. I suppose more dynamics w 1200 watts on tap, but I don't listen too loud, so that could save me $200 going with the 600s. Either that or the Monos from Buckeye Amps. Let me know what you think of the VTVs when they arrive!
@@RickRuizAudio just opened up the pa3's. No bulging caps. They're gtg. I also just did some A/Bing them against the Purifi's. The biggest difference is in the bass. The bass on the pa3's is much more muscular. The treble is ever so slightly boosted and unrefined on the pa3's I really, really had to listen for that and it wasn't until 5 songs in that I noticed that with the top end. Power amps are much closer sounding to one another than one would think. There are differences, but it's subtle. Their differences are like what I've experienced with different cables. The IOTAs are no slouch.
@@dicmccoy How about the bass speed and control? Is the Purifi tighter in the mid to low bass?
Hi Rick, any update on the repair? Did you get them fixed?
Yeah. I got them fixed. $150 each. 😟. They aren't in sound path so my tech upgraded w Vishays caps.
If the problem involves only 2 capacitors per amp, should be quite easy and cheap to fix it
Yeah, that's a big "if" though. I found a repair technician who is going to check it out for me this coming week and see if he can find what caused the problem. If it was just bad capacitors, then yes, easy fix. But it could also be a different circuit sending higher voltage to those caps, which would have to be repaired or we get the same problem again. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for watching!
@@RickRuizAudio Thanks For your help. Please let us know what the Technician says
IMO the IOTA provides VERY GOOD performance for it's price, even if you have to replace it's Caps ($100 - $300 for a professional to do) it's cheaper than replacing with another amp at the same price or much more, also it may not sound as good as the IOTA?!?
Hey Mike. Point taken. I got my Iotas back from repair. Cost me around $150 each. I do love the sound or I wouldn't have repaired them, but it's a hassle. I personally can't recommend this amp to a friend. It Iota takes a look at the problem and releases an updated version that fixes any problems, I wouldn't mind giving it a try. But seriously, I saw smoke and sparks! Luckily I hadn't stepped away for a snack or bathroom break. Thanks for watching. I do appreciate your feedback! 🙏
@@RickRuizAudio Funny you responded, also I'm glad you got it fixed. BTW, I was curious today and pulled the cover off my "year 2020, IOTA Sa3" and found the same bulging on the capacitors. I guess I should call the electric repair guy here in Spokane (he has a history of working on some expensive amps) and have him replace them. If there is a silver lining, IMO IOTAs provide "very good" sonic performance for their price (as you know they have many favorable reviews), also I don't know how other MFG's amps at this price point fare in terms of longevity (I'm sure they build them to a particular price point as well). Anyway, after the replacement of the Caps, if I can get another 3/ 4 more years out of mine, I'll be a happy camper, All the best Mike
Cambridge Audio amps have a reputation for running hot/failing electronics also 😕
What specific models?
To be fair just from various comments I've read about the AXR/CX models and how the quality went down when Cambridge moved manufacturing to China - however people who don't have issues tend not to post so ymmv I suppose .
I was actually looking into getting a used 851W in silver, but haven't found one for a good price. There are a few black ones on Ebay. If i can get one for under $800, I'll do it. I figure another $200 to have it looked at and serviced and it'll be a steal. Hopefully this model doesn't run hot. Thanks for the info @5675492
@@RickRuizAudio My guess is you'll be alright with just the basic precautions you'd take for any amp . If the 851W doesn't happen for you I can recommend the Adcom GFA 555 . Similar specs - 200w stereo , 400w mono - and can be had for 300-600 dollars used . I'm listening to Stan Getz on the one I bought new in 1987 right now - so I think the reliability factor is there lol - and they run relatively cool to boot .
@@5675492 Yeah, great suggestion. I was looking at the matching Preamp last year, but couldn't find any for sale at the time. Thanks!
Hi. I was wondering if these capaciters are also in the AVPX1?
I've never seen the inside of that amp, but try giving the new owners an email to ask if they use that same brand. They might make changes on new production although I'm pretty sure they'll sell all their old stock from the original IOTA VX company. Sorry I couldn't help. And thanks for watching!
Anything Nichicon, Rubycon, Panasonic, Vishay should last you forever! Maje sure to stick to the same dimensions. The mundorfs and audio note are snap-in types and wont fit in the same position.
My tech went with the Vishays. 👍
Отправляйте к нам аппараты, после ремонта будут работать как нужно!!!
Спасибо, но я уже починил. Где ваша ремонтная мастерская? Если бы в Россию, я думаю, доставка была бы слишком дорогой.
@RickRuizAudio да в России. Я ремонтирую усилители, иногда приходится переделывать некоторые узлы, к сожалению у многих классных производителей бывают стоят не качественные элементы, экономия! Я честно не знаю сколько к нам доставка стоит, но в любом случае если нужен будет ремонт, обращайтесь если вдруг у вас что то будет не получатся! Напишите какие контакты вам нужны для связи. И спасибо что ответили!
Sorry to say but it looks like they put the shutters down for good (bankrupt). Their website is out of use and their phone lines are not answering for days.
Damn. Thanks for the update, Ray! I guess i'm on my own. I found a repair shop near me with good ratings so I'll give them a shot. The amps design doesn't seem to be too complicated so I'm sure it won't be more than a maybe $200 to have them both repaired. But yeah, it's a shame.
Taken over by a German company...
No. They are still going as of August 2024.
Looked at this brand and now they have a newer, more powerful integrated available under new management. However, the fact these issues exist and that the company originally designed the VX line for and to be branded as a budget Nakamichi is perplexing.
Alot of budget amps have been designed that sound really good, and some not good but most as expected. Those that sound above their price point get alot of attention and initially sales. But customer service, reliability and longevity of product is important.
While there are a few amps I am interested in today that fit my needs which include size and weight requirements, I expect some corners to be cut somewhere to meets pricing requirements. However, if these cuts do not affect the attributes of SQ, reliability, etc., I think I would be fine with it.
My first real higher end model was a Hegel h160 which served well on the speakers I used. It is overkill for my needs as I use standmount speakers typically easy to drive as well. If I had much more difficult to drive speakers, I would have ended my search for products. Bu I wanted smaller and lighter and while class D can provide this, I still liked the class AB sound at the time.
About 4 years ago, I came upon a review of the Keces E40, bought one and have bee pleasantly surprised that it does not embarrass itself against the Hegel in SQ at the SPLs I listen at. The Hegel adds a bit more energy, resolution and realism at times to say piano strikes while the Keces can round a bit off the edges, plays a little warmer but still resolves, provides detail, stage depth, etc., and compared to other integrateds I have had outperforms those in a way that its easy to hear versus when comparing it to the hegel in my system.
So, the only issue of concern is longevity, however I have played the little thing straight over much of the last 3 and a half years without a blip. I would be thrilled if it lasted 20 years but at its price, if I got 10 it would be good enough. I take the hegel out on occasion but go back to the Keces as it fits my lifestyle needs. Picked up a second one NIB too at a discounted price and almost bought a third used unit. Small and limited by output power, it does well even with 4 ohm speakers. I have the Dali Opticon 1 on it now with a small sub thru its preouts. Is it the best audiophile experience, no but it all punches above expectations as a functioning whole.
The Keces E40 has successfully driven Focal 807Ws, MA Silver 100s, Triangle, Wharedale, and many other speakers well. The ones I kept are the speakers I liked which were the Focal, Triangle Zeta, Cambridge Minx XL and these Dali Opticon 1 MK1 which measure SPL output higher than rated/stated.
I did try the Menuet SE on the Keces but found to play it loud enough required alot of its rated output capability which built up alot of heat. It sounded good, just as good as the hegel driving them with far less heat btw but returned them not because I didn't like them as much as I got a preferred sound out of my other speakers at the time. I found them too refined and while resolution was outstanding, they covered up or obscured alot of background as well as detail and texture I was accustomed to hearing with music I am familiar with. Since then I picked up the Opticon 1 and while vinyl wrapped and having a less expensive crossover, it still manages to give good resolution, weight to notes and without obscurring detail. The detail is abit less than my other speakers but exceeds what the SE provided.
I thought about giving the SE another chance as a slightly used one came up for sale but I would have to keep the Hegel to drive it and looking at its frequency curve and measured specs, still feel the Opticon 1 is a better option for SQ for me. If you only use it nearfield, aka desktop or in a really small room and like a warmer, smoother presentation and have an amp that can deal with a well under 4 ohm load, it could fit the bill. Also, its for music, not soundtracks as in watching a movie. It just doesn't have the capabilities for a more lively presentation for movies especially at 5 feet away or more. Designed for nearfield.
I seem to be drawn to speakers that can do both music and movies well and function well nearfield or further away (say midfield) in a medium sized room. As well as amps and dacs that support this kind of performance.
I was concerned that the Keces might have operational issues given it produces heat that needs to be dissipated withkn a smal enclosure but its performed well so far and the aluminum chassis acts as a heatsink by design. It is a well engineered product that fits its price point and sounds better than expected. Made in Taiwan, not the PRC by people known for power conditioners and such so they know how to built a well functioning amp with the right amount of protection built in.
The only drawback for me is that the blue led tends to fade (as all led's do) over time. Not really bad as its pretty bright initially and now looks fine. The only issue.
If I sell the hegel, I am looking at the V/A CA-1, perhaps the NP-1 and also a few others including small (relatively) tube amps. The only other speakers I am considering if I sell some of my others is the Closer OGY, perhaps the SF Lumina II Amator among a few others but no guarantee that performance will greatly exceed what I have now either. Different for sure but as to outright preference, I don't know.
That's the journey so far. And given a brand has certain issues that pop up or demonstrates both capability and reliability, that plays alot in the decision making.
Wow! Very cool, NC. I just looked up Keces to get more info. Looks like they're currently looking for a US Distributor. Thanks for sharing! And I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏
@@RickRuizAudio Was never really marketed in the US. Found it thru Soundnews when I was looking for a small option. Low power but what's there is top notch.
I have vintage gear approx. 40yrs. old that are still using their original caps. Things are simply garbage today, no matter the price.
40 years, Yeah that would be early 80s. Just before audio went cheap, .jamming everything into one box with plastic cases and using the cheapest components with 26 ga wire. But still, I believe there are some companies making good products at decent prices nowadays. Maybe with simpler designs. You just have to do the searching and experimenting. I would imagine that's what gets people curious about my and others videos.
These Iotas aren't what I would consider high end, but I would consider above average. What does that say for average products. lol. Thanks for watching. Oh and what vintage gear are you rinning? I just found my nephew a vintage Technics SL QD2 turntable for $40 with a Shure 111HE cart in great shape. He wanted to buy something new in the $300 range so I persuaded him to go vintage. I'm going to build him a DIY Phono Pre.
BTW, don’t wast your money on these over priced “Boutique” capacitors. They are great eye candy , but little else.
Have you experimented with caps? What's are your findings? I ask because I have not in electronics, but have 5 years experience with testing in passive crossovers and in that application, I can without a doubt say they make a difference. Maybe not as much in electronics? or maybe not so much in the power supply after the filters? I'll still experiment, I don't mind spending $40~$50 to give my viewers some insight. Maybe I'll make a video saying they didn't do anything. But I do love this dialogue. It's great to share experiences and perspectives.