Trouble with an Outlaw (950)

jqp · « **on:** 3 Aug 2004, 09:23 pm »

My 950 Pre/Pro has a chip problem I think. When I play Dolby Digital optical out from my XBox, the Outlaw 950 seems to lose the signal and the display flashes "S/P DIF UNLOCK" for a second, then the sound breaks up and then I lose all audio.

This is a documented issue, apparently needing repair by Outlaw.

Anyone know or guess what is going on? Do other devices have this issue as well? I imagine the chip may not be unique to the 950.

bubba966 · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 Aug 2004, 09:59 pm »

Sounds like a bad solder joint, or maybe the chip is just going bad from overheating or poor QC.

My old receiver worked great as I gave it the proper cooling it needed. After I sold it to my step-bro, he locked it up in a cabinet. After a bit of time it cooked the Dolby decoder a bit, as well as breaking a couple of solder joints (which exhibted virtually the same symptoms as your 950). All from getting too hot.

So maybe that's what going on in your 950. Maybe Outlaw didn't adequately cool the Dolby decoder in their design, and it's cooking it?...

Juan R · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Aug 2004, 10:24 pm »

I have the 950 with the optical digital from directv receiver and never have a problem, but the pre is in a well ventilated area.

jqp · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Aug 2004, 10:35 pm »

An Outlaw rep (Steve) just called me and pointed out that it may be the optical cable (dust) or the XBox also, so I will troubleshoot tonight with different cables and optical sources. The XBox has this major adaptor cable for HDTV and optical digital audio, so there is another possibility.

bubba966 · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Aug 2004, 11:04 pm »

Do you have this problem using coax? If it only happens on the optical from your 'box, them I'd think that it wouldn't be the Dolby decoder.

I don't use optical much (only on my 'box), so I've not had enough experience with it to know if cable problems behave like the problem you're experiencing.

jqp · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Aug 2004, 09:47 pm »

I don't have another souce of DD or DTS! I can hear about 1 minute of DTS from my Steely Dan DVD (on the XBox) before it goes out. If I turn off the 950 for 5 seconds it can reaquire the signal, bbut then goes out after about 10 seconds. So it really looks like the 950.

My CD-1 has a coax out, but that is PCM.

I did get another XBox optical digital interface (The Advanced A/V kit), and same results.

Tonight I borrow my friends XBox and that will complete the troubleshooting.

jqp · « **Reply #6 on:** 5 Aug 2004, 02:26 am »

After using my friends XBox, I am able to confirm that this 950 has the dreaded "S/PDIF UNLOCK" problem. It cannot stay locked on Dolby Digital 5.1, DD 2.0, or DTS for more than about 5 minutes.

Getting an RA and returning it to Outlaw tomorrow.

Good thing it has a 5 year warranty

jqp · « **Reply #7 on:** 18 Aug 2004, 09:33 pm »

UPDATE:

After a DSP board replacement, it is on its way back. Just in time for a vacation!

jqp · « **Reply #8 on:** 25 Aug 2004, 09:24 pm »

Another UPDATE:

My Outlaw 950 is back in my system - it works!

The DSP board was replaced according to Steve at Outlaw. They did have to wait a few minutes for the problem to show up, but thankfully they were able to see the problem too.