Rotel 1055 shutting down

[Neal_C]

I can't figure this one out.

My 1055 will randomly shut down right after being turned on (after 15 seconds or so, no real definite time reference) and may do so several times before staying on with no problems afterwards. Really weird.

I use it as a pre-amp hooked up to a Rotel 1075. I thought maybe my cat had pulled a speaker cable out or something (which he did after looking at my center channel), but that should have shut down the amp first, not the receiver, and after fixing the speaker cable, the receiver still shut itself down on the next turn on.

I leave the receiver in stand by and turn everything on with my Pronto.

This has been happening periodically for about 2 months or so and the receiver is about a year old (give or take a couple months).

Up until tonight, the only input I recall this happening with is the cable box. I switched out optical cables, still happened. I use a Motorola 6412.

But tonight, it shut down on tuner as well.

Tonight was the worst yet. I think it shut down 2 or 3 times before I found the speaker wire pulled out of the center channel. I fixed that and checked all other connections. Turned it on again, it shut down. Turned it on and switched to tuner, it shut down twice. Turned it back on with the cable box input and it has now stayed on for the past 45 minutes with no problems.

My only thought is something wrong internally with the receiver, or it may depend on the volume setting. I turn the volume down to 20 before powering off each night, and don't ever recall it shutting down once I get the volume above 40 or so.

And it has never shut down during a movie or once it gets going and decides to stay on.

I may try leaving the volume high and see what happens.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks,

Neal

[Azeke]

Check speaker connections for wiring to ensure that wires are not touching.

Make sure the system is not overheating.

Circuit board could be bad, esp., the thermal sensor, which shuts down the receiver.

Just my quick thoughts,

Azeke

[Andrew Pratt]

I'd power it off with the power switch on the back and then unplug all the speaker and interconnects from the unit. Then power it back on and see if it stays running when you crank up the volume etc. Assuming it does slowly add back one speaker at a time and see which one is causing it to trip.

[Neal_C]

I checked the speaker connections last night which is when I found one speaker wire pulled out of my center channel, thanks to my cat. I thought for sure that would solve the problem, but it didn't. There are no speaker wires touching each other anywhere, not on the back of the amp or at the speaker.

What could cause the system to overheat in such a short period of time? I could understand that it could overheat if I was driving it hard for a while, but after just a few seconds? It has never shut off during any movie or once it gets going. If it stays on for 30 or 45 seconds, it stays on for the duration, no problems, no matter how long or hard I drive it.



Andrew,
So I should unplug everything from the receiver and amp and turn them both on? Then maybe plug in all the pre-out interconnects to the receiver and amp. Then gradually plug in each speaker wire to the amp?
Neal

[Andrew Pratt]

There could be a problem with one of your speakers shorting out which is why I'd start at a known base level and unplug everything.

[Neal_C]

Andrew,
So I should unplug everything from the receiver and amp and turn them both on? Then maybe plug in all the pre-out interconnects to the receiver and amp. Then gradually plug in each speaker wire to the amp?

Neal

[Scherr]

Test your speakers with a multimeter. Disconnect the speakers. Use the multimeter to measure resistance (ohms). If you have a matching pair, they should both show the same resistance. If they show different numbers, one speaker is bad.

Scott

[basementjack]

Neal_C -

yeah I think that's what Andrew is suggesting. - however, I would add to your summary - when you connect the interconnects (especially between amp and receiver) please power both units off during the connection so you don't accidentally cause damage.

[Kevin D]

Did anyone read his first message?? He's only using the 1055 as a preamp, the speakers are hooked to the 1075. There's no reason a bad speaker would effect the 1055 and not the 1075..

Kevin D.

[Neal_C]

Kevin,

That is what has me stumped. If it was a speaker or wire problem, the amp should be shutting down, not the receiver (pre-amp).

It is weird that it only happens when it is turned on. Once it stays on and gets going, it never shuts down...runs for hours and hours at any volume.

So I think that eliminates speaker problems, and even wire or interconnect problems. I would think that would also eliminate over-heating as well.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks for everything so far,

Neal

[gostan]

Neal:

I had a shutdown problem on my now long returned to Rotel 1055. Sometimes it would power off and sometimes it would not. I disconnected and reconnected every component and cable in my entire system without finding the cause. The 1055 went back to Rotel twice with at least one new circuit board replacement, through my very co-operative dealer and the problem still persisted. Interestingly enough, the Denon receiver which was loaned to me both times the 1055 was in for repair, did not shut down. Eventually, Rotel and my dealer took the receiver back and my 1098 replacement has not suffered any shutoff or other problem.

I know that Rotel equipment is usually very stable and without issue. You might want to send the receiver to Rotel to determine if they can duplicate the problem. Also, it might be interesting to try another receiver from your dealer with the same hook-ups to see if there might be an issue with any of your other components which might be causing the powering off.

I am sure that you are beyond frustrated. Good luck finding the culprit causing the problem.

Stan

[Neal_C]

Stan,

Thanks for your post. It sounds like you were having the exact same problem I am having.

I was hoping there would be someone else who had experienced the same thing.

It is a very annoying problem, that is for sure. I may try contacting Rotel and see what they have to say.

Neal

[Neal_C]

Andrew:

Is there a certain person I should contact at Rotel about my problem? Or should I just wait for a reply to the email I sent to the tech support email address?

Neal

[OakIris]

As a fellow RSX1055 owner, I too hope you find a solution to this. I just recently added an RMB1075 to my system, so have a similar set up to yours. I only have my center speaker wired into the 1075 but intend to connect the mains to it as well as soon as I get the speaker cables I'm waiting for. Have you been running the 1055 as a pre-amp ever since you got the components? I'm just wondering if the problem is with the pre-amp part of the receiver.

I have not experienced any shut down problems, but my receiver is now a year old as well.

[Neal_C]

Yes, I have been running it as a pre-amp since I got it. The 1075 was actually my first Rotel purchase. It was paired with a Pioneer Elite 35TX for about a month or two before I moved to the 1055.

I went back and looked at my receipts, and my unit is actually about 2 years old.

I have sent an email to tech support at Rotel, so hopefully I will hear something back from them.

Neal

[OakIris]

Please keep us posted about the results, Neal. I'm very sorry you are having this problem. I really like my 1055 and certainly can't afford to replace it; I imagine you are in the same boat.

Holly

[Neal_C]

Thanks Holly.

I really like the 1055 as well, and I can't afford to replace it right now either; nor do I want to.

Atleast this is just an annoying problem right now. The unit still works, so not all is lost with this problem.

Most times it will only shut down once or twice and then it will stay on. But there have been the rare times (the one that caused me to make a post here about it) where it shut down 5 or 6 times before coming on.

I hope I hear something back from Rotel soon. I sent my email to them on Wednesday.


Neal

[Neal_C]

Rotel has told me to reset the 1055 to default in the menu, then if that doesn't work, try reloading the firmware.

Well, I was going to mess with it two nights ago, but my laptop was being a pain and the 1055 came on with no shutdowns, so I decided to wait on reloading the firmware.

Speed forward to last night, and I thought the unit was completely shot. I turned it on to watch some recorded shows, and it shut down immediately. I mean the display didn't even come on. This happened repeatedly, probably 7 or 8 times in a row. I even tried turning it off with the power button on the unit, then turning it back on, then using the remote from stand by, and it still shut down.

At this point, I wasn't thrilled, cause I have no backup receiver. So for some reason I decided to try removing the 12v trigger plug from the back of the 1055 and eliminating the auto turn on of the amp. 1055 still shut down immediately. I was ready to throw things. I let myself cool down and decided to try plugging the 12v trigger cable into the 2nd trigger output. I pushed power on the remote for the 1055, and Bingo, the amp and 1055 fired up and worked flawlessly.

I just turned everything on again this morning to watch some recorded shows, and no shut downs at all...it fired right up.

Not sure if it is just a fluke or maybe the 1st output for the 12v trigger is bad. I guess I will just see what the next couple of days brings.

Neal

[OakIris]

Neal - if the 1055 continues to run flawlessly for you when you are using the 2nd trigger output, I would still check with Rotel to see if you could get a replacement unit - or free repair. It should still be covered by the warranty and the output shouldn't have failed like that.

Anyway, I certainly hope that you have found the cause of the problem. :T

Holly

[Neal_C]

Thanks Holly.

I will be sending Mike at Rotel an email here in just a minute to tell him what I suspect the problem to be and see what he thinks.

My hope is if he wants to have it in for repair, he can work out something with my dealer for a loaner. I don't have a spare receiver to use.

It should definitely be covered by warranty.

By the way, I just turned everything on, and no problem at all. This is the 3rd consecutive power on without shutdown using the 2nd 12 volt trigger.

I guess I should try the other trigger again to test my results. Probably give this a couple more days first.

Neal

[OakIris]

I know what you mean about the loaner - I only have one receiver, too, and would lose the use of all of my home audio equipment, as well as HT/TV sound if I had to send my Rotel in for repair. Scary thought!

[Neal_C]

Hopefully Rotel and my dealer won't let that happen.

[Neal_C]

Well, as an update, it appears I didn't have the problem narrowed down and solved. After 4 or 5 consecutive power on's from standby without a shutdown, it decided to shut down twice tonight.

I guess tomorrow I will try to find time to reload the firmware and default the menu and see if that helps.

I don't even know if I want to mess with trying the unhooking everything route and checking that way. Since this seems to be flakey on if and when it happens, I'm not sure that will help. Of course my other fear is that I will send it to Rotel, and like happened to Stan, I will get it back with the same problem.

I hope something works.

Neal

[OakIris]

Sorry to hear that the problem just "hid" for a while. I hope the firmware reload does the trick for you, but it sure seems to me as if there's something wrong with the electronics, not the firmware.

[Neal_C]

I am with you there Holly. I'm just trying to do the things that Mike at Rotel suggested before seeing what we can do about sending the unit in for repair.

I'm just waiting a reply back from Mike on what he wants to do about getting the repair and hopefully setting up something with the dealer to get a demo while mine is gone.

Neal

[gostan]

I am with you there Holly. I'm just trying to do the things that Mike and Rotel suggested before seeing what we can do about sending the unit in for repair.

I'm just waiting a reply back from Mike on what he wants to do about getting the repair and hopefully setting up something with the dealer to get a demo while mine is gone.

Neal

Neal:
Sorry to read that your 1055 perists in shutting down. I would think that the dealer who sold you the 1055 should be jumping up and down to give you some type of a loaner receiver while your receiver is being tested (and hopefully repaired). My dealer not only gave me a loaner twice, but also forwarded the 1055 to Rotel for repair purposes. That is the reason why we purchase our Rotel equipment from reputable licensed dealers and not on the so-called grey market.

Stan

[Neal_C]

Thanks Stan.

I haven't talked to the dealer yet, but I'm hoping they will be very helpful with a demo receiver/pre-amp of some sort. Especially since I just sent my neighbor to them to buy a $3k Samsung DLP when he was almost dead set about buying it somewhere else.

So not only should I get help from them because I am a good customer, I also refer people to them

I will probably talk to the dealer in the next couple days, after I get over what I think is the flu and feel like getting out of the house. Hope to hear from Mike at Rotel in the next day or two as well.

Neal

[Neal_C]

Well, as an update, my 1055 is pretty much completely dead now. It refuses to come on and stay on, most times I won't even get anything on the front display, it just shuts back off. When I completely power it down for a while and then try it, I do get a glimmer of hope...it will come on, turn on the display, but then shutdown within seconds afterwards

I just called my dealer and they don't do any kind of demo/loaner program. So I will be stuck with no HT for who knows how long.

I plan to let my dealer know that I will be looking for another dealer for my future purchases, someone who takes care of their customers when they have equipment problems. I realize this isn't their problem and not their fault, but I don't think I am asking to much from them.

So if anybody in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area knows a good dealer, let me know.

Neal

PS...I don't plan on taking this to the dealer until Monday to have it sent off. I figure it is already Thursday afternoon, so it won't go out today, so the earliest would be tomorrow, so whats an extra weekend? My hope is that I could get it to periodically work over the weekend.

Since I have a few more days, is there anything I can check on the inside, ie loose wires or something of that nature?

[OakIris]

Very sorry to learn that your dealer only cares about the initial sale! Makes me wonder about mine - I haven't gone to them with any problems so I don't know whether they are any different from yours. Found out recently that a forum member works at another Rotel dealer here in Colorado, so if I have any problems, I am going to him! I also plan to buy any future Rotel equipment from him.

Good luck to you, Neal. This really suxors....

Holly

[Neal_C]

Thanks Holly.

I really thought they would do me right. I guess since they are growing (they are only in Texas, have about 7 or 8 locations), they are to the point where they are considered a "chain" store, so they are getting to the point where they only care about the initial sale. I guess I am going to have to find myself a local only dealer instead. And to think I sent my neighbor to them just a month ago to buy a $3k Samsung DLP.

[OakIris]

Well, we all know that you won't be recommending them again! I hope someone in your area can recommend a more reputable dealer who actually loves what they are doing and cares about the customer - I mean, of course they are in business to make a profit in order to stay in business, but doesn't it make sense that it would be easier for them to do so if they kept their customer base - and increased it - by actually giving some good service along with a good product? This is one of the main problems with the big box stores taking over the world from the local folks.

Here in Colorado, there is only one Rotel dealer, Listen Up, and they only have 3 branches. Rotel cusomers here are therefore somewhat of a captive audience. I would think that the Dallas/Fort Worth area would have more choices. I have been buying from the Denver branch, but my next purchase will be in Boulder, where I am hoping to find friendlier and better service!

Holly

[Neal_C]

My dealer in this case is Home Theater Store. They have locations in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, and Austin.

I have been to all three locations here in DFW and the one in Austin. They have some salesmen and managers that think they are the "__it" and that it should be the customers pleasure to do business with them. I haven't done any business with these particular people, just seen them with other customers. They are going to be in for a rude awakening if they try talking to me that way.

Maybe I can put some pressure on them when I go into the store to drop off the unit to be shipped to Rotel.

It isn't like I am asking for much. I don't need the 1098 as a loaner. I just want something so I don't have to use my tv speakers for several weeks.

[Neal_C]

Well this whole thing is just getting bizarre. My 1055 is working again. Really nuts. For how long is the question I guess.

Here is what has transpired:

About 36 or so hours ago I turned the 1055 off with the front panel button. I left it plugged into the wall and all components plugged in as well. About 2 hours ago I got around to unplugging each component, labeling the interconnects, etc, etc, and extracting it from its shelf. Since I had some time, I figure I would take it into the office and take the top off to check for loose wires, burned resistors, anything obvious.

I take the top off and don't see anything, so I plug it in, turn it on to standby and then turn it on with the remote. It works. Front panel lights up. I turn it on and off a couple times, it keeps coming on and staying on. Great. I unplug it, screw the top back on, figuring I will go in a troubleshoot components now. Plug it in one more time with top on before leaving the office, it won't come on. Shutdown problem again. My thought now...am I getting something negative from the top of the receiver?

So, top comes off again, plug it back in, not working still. Ok, so the top isn't it. Try it a couple times and it finally comes on and stays on. I leave it for about 20 minutes, decide to go hook it up again in the living room. Put the top back on, plug it in and turn it on to make sure, it works, so unplug it and reinstall in the rack. I plug it into the wall, check it, it comes on. I put it in standby and plug a couple cables in. Check it, good to go. Plug some more in, still working. Plug the interconnects to the amp in, still working.

I turn the 12v trigger for the 1075 amp off and just turn it on with the front button...and I have sound from the speakers. I turn the 1055 off and on a couple times, no shut downs.

So, it has been running for about 25 minutes now with no problems.


What the heck is going on with this thing? Could I have some sort of problem with the power on sequence? Does anyone know what the sequence is? I'm sure it starts with some sort of relay because I can hear a little click when I press the on button on the remote. But what does it do from there? Anyone know?

Very odd behavior, wouldn't you agree?

[georose]

Thanks for helping me out with the "Audio Drop Out Question". I feel for you. Never had a probem as frustrating as the one you describe. Good Luck on a repair. I'd hate to have to dump my rotel casue it sounds so damn good.

[Neal_C]

Georose,

I asked in your audio drop out thread as well...when you say your 1055 shuts down switching signals, do you mean it completely shuts off?

I don't plan to dump the Rotel...I agree it sounds very good.

[georose]

cancelled

[georose]

No it doesn't shut down it just mutes while it searches for a new audio format.

[Neal_C]

Yea, that is normal for it to do that...


Anyone have any thoughts to my latest adventure with the 1055?

I just turned it on this morning and it came on with no problems. I guess I will keep it as long as it continues to work. Maybe I can find a good time to send it in when I might be out of town for a couple weeks or something later in the year, if it makes it that long.

[Neal_C]

Well my 1055 ran without a problem for 3 straight days anyway. I had a little problem getting it to come on tonight (3 shutdowns in a row), but after it did come on, worked fine.

Mike at Rotel talked to the service department and they seem to think that since it is an intermittent problem, it is probably a broken or faulty solder joint somewhere in the unit.

I am going to try and hold out sending it in until I am out of town or it decides to go way downhill again.

[Jazz]

hello neal, sorry to hear about all your issues. I do have some advice.

When I bought my 1055 from a small, very high end shop (the 1055 was the lowest end product he carried), the dealer told me the the 1055 sounds the best after it has been running for more than 36 hours. He said that it would sound "thin" at first and to be patient. Wanting only the best sound I can get I left the unit on and he was right, over time it did sound fatter and more robust. So, I just left it ON, using the MUTE control when I'm not listening. I took a vacation about six months later and decided to turn it off while I was gone. When I returned, and powered it up, I noticed that it sounded thin again, and as expected, about a day later it was back to normal.

So, my friend, I suggest to you: leave it ON, always.

Another argument for this: Warm things expand, cold things contract. Constant, daily warming and cooling of electronics wears them out faster. Electronics (in general) love to be ON.

I hope this helps.

[Neal_C]

I might just try that for the next couple weeks until I move and see what happens. Probably be a good test to see if it will shut itself down while being on for extended periods of time.

At some point it will go in for repair, because there is definitely something wrong with the unit.

[benny]

Dealer Info

Neil, I'm chiming in as a local (NRH/Haltom City!) who has experienced more than one warranty issue with Rotel gear. I was very unhappy with the QC issue, but after reading what you've been through, I can say I was treated fairly by my dealer. I purchased my entire rig from Marvin Electronics on Hulen St. in Ft. Worth. I was given several choices of loaners (pretty much anything in their used section) when both a RCD1070 and a RA1070 failed on me. I would recommend seeing a salesman named Rick with any future purchases. He is always friendly and does what (little) can be done in a warranty situation. I hope this info will be useful to you.
Ben R.

[Neal_C]

Ben,

Thanks for the info. I have been into Marvins before and they seemed pretty decent. At the time I was looking to upgrade my Def. Tech speakers and they weren't really willing to budge in price, so I got them somewhere else.

On my next upgrade I may give them another chance.

And nice to see someone else local here.

[benny]

They always run sales at July 4th. If you deal with Rick and flash the wad, chances are he will "honor the sale price" for you. After spending what I have there, I know I'll never have to pay the full retail again. It seems that loyalty even to one salesman will pay off eventually. Best of luck with your defective unit, I feel your pain.

[Neal_C]

Thanks Ben.

You should hear my pain; it is silence when it occurs

I will probably bypass my dealer anyway. Mike at Rotel said that many times units end up back at Rotel anyway, so I will probably just send it there and avoid the middleman trying to fix it.