Why Stratos blow fuses ?

Cyril-fr · « **on:** 26 Oct 2006, 10:00 am »

Hi all.
When reading the forum, I notice that the Stratos amps blow fuses "frequently". A few people encountered this fuse problem and i was wondering what could be the cause of that. I would find it surprising to learn that it is a AC network problem because many amps do not have fuses and I do not listen amps to be destroyed very often on the forums.
Could it be that the fuses used in the Stratos are too sensitive ? Or a design problem on the amps ?

Actually, I am on my way to purchase a pair second hand and the owner just told me that he had a fuse problem when testing before delivery (after a long storage period). It happened yesterday so diagnosis is under process (I do not know yet if fuses only are the problem). When trying to help, I made a search on the forum and noticed that many people had the same failure of the fuses, that's why I am trying to get your feedback.

It is even written in the forum that a review by Stereophile of Symphonic Line amp mentioned a problem of fuse blow in the past.

Another point, it seems that the mono blocks have :
- an external fuse, fast blow
- 4 internal fuses, slow blow
Am I right ?

Thanks again for your help,
Cyril

mtodde · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Oct 2006, 01:06 pm »

I had a new Stratos stereo amp with the cap upgrades for 7 months this year (I wound up going to a tube amp) and it performed flawlessly during that time. It is possible that earlier models could have an issue and amps produced later don't. Just my two cents.

bunky · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Oct 2006, 09:18 pm »

Quote from: Cyril-fr on 26 Oct 2006, 10:00 am

Hi all.
When reading the forum, I notice that the Stratos amps blow fuses "frequently". A few people encountered this fuse problem and i was wondering what could be the cause of that. I would find it surprising to learn that it is a AC network problem because many amps do not have fuses and I do not listen amps to be destroyed very often on the forums.
Could it be that the fuses used in the Stratos are too sensitive ? Or a design problem on the amps ?

Actually, I am on my way to purchase a pair second hand and the owner just told me that he had a fuse problem when testing before delivery (after a long storage period). It happened yesterday so diagnosis is under process (I do not know yet if fuses only are the problem). When trying to help, I made a search on the forum and noticed that many people had the same failure of the fuses, that's why I am trying to get your feedback.

It is even written in the forum that a review by Stereophile of Symphonic Line amp mentioned a problem of fuse blow in the past.

Another point, it seems that the mono blocks have :
- an external fuse, fast blow
- 4 internal fuses, slow blow
Am I right ?

Thanks again for your help,
Cyril

I have had the Khartago monoblocks, mono extremes and mono extreme SE's and the SS Tempest preamplifier and the Candela tube preamplifier and i have never blown a fuse or needed any type of repair work done to any of the Odyssey gear. if i were you i would buy a new Stratos with confidence. it comes with a twenty year warranty and the best customer service in the industry.if i dont know the history of a used piece of gear i would not consider buying it. thanks....WCW III

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Oct 2006, 09:22 pm »

Ditto here. No fuses blown ever

F-100 · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Oct 2006, 09:25 pm »

Same here. No fuses blown ever.

Wizard454 · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 Oct 2006, 09:37 pm »

I've had my Mono Extremes on and running continuously for 5 months now. No issues what so ever. Might I suugest you get the serial number (or Numbers) off the units and "CALL" Klaus directly. I am sure he can address any issue or concern you may have.

djbnh · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 Oct 2006, 11:06 pm »

It's news to me that the Stratos amps blow fuses "frequently", and I politely ask the original poster - Cyril-fr - to be nice enough to provide link(s) to the source(s) of information supporting the contention that Stratos amps blow fuses "frequently". Then again, I'm a little confused when later in the OP I read that "a few people encountered this fuse problem". So, is it frequently, or within normal limits? What's frequently in your mind, Cyril-fr - 6 occasions - 10 occasions - 100 occasions? Better yet, how many occurrences are there out of how many units? What's the incidence of fuses blowing in non-Odyssey amps? Again, without knowing your frame of reference, Cyril-fr, I'm confused.

Anyway, I previously owned a Stratos w/cap upgrade that performed flawlessly. I upgraded to the Extreme Mono amps, and have two fuses go in one amp at apparently the same time. Cause unknown. Replaced the fuses and alles gut. The Stratos and Extreme mono amps, IMO, are amazingly good for the $ with excellent craftmanship. Also, I feel Mr. Klaus Bunge of Odyssey sets an Everest-esquely high standard for customer support. Just my $0.02.

BikeWNC · « **Reply #7 on:** 26 Oct 2006, 11:16 pm »

I've not had a problem with either of my monoblock amps.

Andy

Cyril-fr · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 11:02 am »

Quote from: djbnh on 26 Oct 2006, 11:06 pm

It's news to me that the Stratos amps blow fuses "frequently", and I politely ask the original poster - Cyril-fr - to be nice enough to provide link(s) to the source(s) of information supporting the contention that Stratos amps blow fuses "frequently". Then again, I'm a little confused when later in the OP I read that "a few people encountered this fuse problem". So, is it frequently, or within normal limits? What's frequently in your mind, Cyril-fr - 6 occasions - 10 occasions - 100 occasions? Better yet, how many occurrences are there out of how many units? What's the incidence of fuses blowing in non-Odyssey amps? Again, without knowing your frame of reference, Cyril-fr, I'm confused.

Anyway, I previously owned a Stratos w/cap upgrade that performed flawlessly. I upgraded to the Extreme Mono amps, and have two fuses go in one amp at apparently the same time. Cause unknown. Replaced the fuses and alles gut. The Stratos and Extreme mono amps, IMO, are amazingly good for the $ with excellent craftmanship. Also, I feel Mr. Klaus Bunge of Odyssey sets an Everest-esquely high standard for customer support. Just my $0.02.

That's why I put frequently between brackets. Make a search on the forum with the keyword "fuse". Frequency means nothing because it depends on the number of units actually sold, figure which I do not know (and probably you neither. I only suppose it is no mass production anyway). From what you say, I think I can count you as one of them ...
I am frequenting french hi-fi forums for quite a few years now and I have never read that fuses were blowing on power amps with no reason. I just wanted to know if the fuses themselves were low tolerant (which would be a good thing) or if there could be another cause. My knowledge about electricity is quite low I must admit. May the fuses blow only because of the power grid overvoltages or can it be also because these power amps are huge power plants (120 Amps) ??
Talking about support, I may agree with you, though I haven't experienced myself. Maybe if you were living on the other side of the Atlantic ocean, you would be like me, just asking for more information before buying.
Anyway, I hope to be soon the owner of a pair of Stratos, which are, I agree, great value for the money with no doubt.

BobC · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 12:47 pm »

You know I seem to remember posting a fuse question a while back...thought I blew a fuse. It turned out to be only a loose power cord.

No worries, the amps are build like tanks.

Bob

Soundbitten · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 12:48 pm »

Never had the Stratos blow a fuse in 3 years . I thought it blew a fuse once when the power went off and quickly came back on ( before I had a chance to shut the amp down ) but the problem was actually my preamp .

lazydays · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 05:37 pm »

one thing I'd be checking closely if the fuse holders are good is the actuall drivers in the speakers. I had a voice coil go bad once, and it did exactly the same thing with another amp. So like a fool I put a slightly stronger fuse in there. Spent several hundred dollars having the output MOSFET's changed in both banks. Guess it could also have been a bad cable as well. But in this case it was a midrange driver on a 4 ohm speaker.
gary

mgalusha · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 05:52 pm »

My Extreme mono's are one of the first pairs built and have never blown a fuse in normal operation. They are coming up on their thrid birthday.

mike

dgotlse · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 Oct 2006, 04:44 pm »

Salut Cyril,

never blown a fuse. J'ai mon dual mono depuis un an (il a 2 ans) et aucun problème.

For those who don't understand French and in order to avoid to look rude : I have owned a SDM for 1 year without a single fuse blow.

PinotBob · « **Reply #14 on:** 31 Oct 2006, 10:52 pm »

I have owned my Extreme Monos for about 2 1/2 years and have never blown a fuse. I use them to push low impedance Martin Logans too. I have a large room and crank them til the windows shake...still no blown fuse. Also, I am very happy with how they can handle the ML's....just like being there.

PinotBob

Cyril-fr · « **Reply #15 on:** 1 Nov 2006, 07:36 am »

I will wait for the diagnosis about the failure (fuses blow instantly after chaging them). The owner has contacted Klaus but he must be very busy these days, so he (and I) is waiting for his answer about what to do.
Thanks for your feedback anyway !

klaus@odyssey · « **Reply #16 on:** 10 Nov 2006, 09:03 am »

Actually, this is an interesting topic. The amp is a little trigger happy, just in case. While the circuit design is middle of the road from Germany, we substituted the regular slow blows internally with fast blows. Just in case. The fact that there are so feeeeeeeeeeeeeew fuses ever blow is a testament to SL.

However, if this happens constantly, ( and we have seen it before, unfortunately. It's electronics, shit happens) then definitely call me,

Klaus