Another RB 1080 Problem

[DrJRapp]

I've had my 1080 about two months now, and while for over a year I've read here about people with left channel fuse problems, I believed (or at least wanted to believe), that it was a problem affecting only a few units. Last night my left channel stopped functioning. So, it appears the problem is more common than I thought. This is the first Rotel product of several I have owned to have a hardware problem.

Today I intend to open the 1080 and replace the left channel fuse. Does anyone know if my doing so will effect the warranty? If so why would Rotel supply two replacement fuses with the owner's manual? I also understand that there is an upgraded fuse to fix the problem. Is this something that must be done by Rotel only? I would hate to start shipping this thing back and forth for repairs, especially this time of year.

[DrJRapp]

Well, I decided to open the unit myself and replace the fuse. The left channel fuse, (the one on the upper rear of the left side circuit board) seemed intact, but I replaced it anyway. Hooked everything up and...still no left channel. Is there more than one fuse per channel? Is one hidden? Earlier posts on this issue indicate there may be two. Anyone?

[Andrew Pratt]

Jerry I beleive there's two fuses. You shold also email Rotel's tech guys and request the new fuses

[Orange Peel]

Are they blowing fuses due to lack of voltage supply? Like the wall sockets can't keep up with the demand? Do you have a dedicated 20amp breaker for your stuff Jerry? I can't seem to understand why amps would blow fuses unless there was a short or just didn't get enough power supply or something. Sucks to hear, I was considering that amp someday, probably won't until this issue is completely solved.

[will1066]

Mine's over a year old and has zero problems. Solid as a rock.

[Spearmint]

DrJRapp,

Wow that is not good, as I have said in another post I also have my 1080 fired up now, controlled via 12v trigger, so far no dramas. Although all my HT gear is on a dedicated circuit, and the 1080 & 1095 have a delay between them at power on & off.

How ever there is one little niggling issue that I was going to ask, and your post has given me the opportunity. My 1080, is approx 2months old, and I notice that the left amp runs hotter than the right. When I touch both sides when it is running, the left side is always hotter than the right. Also when the unit is powered done the right cools much quicker.

Can any other owners check their amps to see if this is a common trait?

[will1066]

Could it be just the way the heat is dissipating around your setup?

[DrJRapp]

DrJRapp,

How ever there is one little niggling issue that I was going to ask, and your post has given me the opportunity. My 1080, is approx 2months old, and I notice that the left amp runs hotter than the right. When I touch both sides when it is running, the left side is always hotter than the right. Also when the unit is powered done the right cools much quicker.

Yes, the left side of the amp always ran a tad hotter than the right. I thought the 1080 ran very hot, which concerned me from the start, and after discussing it here, it appeared mine did not run hotter than most.

Scott,

Not a power supply issue, this is something that has occured in some of the late 2003 & 2004 units. Rotel has addressed the problem with a fix. My system is on a dedecated and isolated 20 amp line. Voltage is stable at 121V. My whole system typically draws about 6.3 amps jumping up as high as 9 on SPL peaks. OBTW, I don't use the 12v trigger.

I have now replaced both fuses and still no life out of the left channel...which is stone cold now....LOL. Looks like my unit may be Rotel Bound.

[will1066]

Just checked mine. Both sides are even and barely warm.

[Spearmint]

Yes, the left side of the amp always ran a tad hotter than the right. I thought the 1080 ran very hot, which concerned me from the start, and after discussing it here, it appeared mine did not run hotter than most.

That is the same as mine, at this stage the amp is sitting elevated out in the open i.e. not in a rack so airflow is not a problem.

I am wondering if this issue of one side being hotter than the other is a component problem...

As Will1066 said

Just checked mine. Both sides are even and barely warm.

My unit runs very hot, I am considering putting some fans on it to increase airflow.

Maybe if others can check their units for heat variations especially the ones that have had fuse problems.

[JDH]

I've had my 1080 about two months now, and while for over a year I've read here about people with left channel fuse problems, I believed (or at least wanted to believe), that it was a problem affecting only a few units. Last night my left channel stopped functioning. So, it appears the problem is more common than I thought. This is the first Rotel product of several I have owned to have a hardware problem.

Today I intend to open the 1080 and replace the left channel fuse. Does anyone know if my doing so will effect the warranty? If so why would Rotel supply two replacement fuses with the owner's manual? I also understand that there is an upgraded fuse to fix the problem. Is this something that must be done by Rotel only? I would hate to start shipping this thing back and forth for repairs, especially this time of year.

Jerry,

Join the club, I've had 2 left channel issues with my RB-1080 since buying it new about 3 months ago, the first time was the left channel fuse, however the second time they replaced a 0.5 W resistor that had gone open circuit and ckecked the bias. I had to ship my RB-1080 interstate 2 times now and did not have the use of it for about two weeks at a time and luckerly the dealer I purchased it from has provided good support in terms of arranging shipping and reasonable turn around time. I also own the RB-1070 for zone 2 and RMB-1075 for surround so I used the RB-1070 for my main channels while I had the RB-1080 repaired.

In terms of heat of the RB-1080 I would have to confirm that it runs considerably hotter than the RB-1070 and RMB-1075, I have about 5in clearance above it and it is located within a cabinet but the back of the cabinet has been removed to increase ventilation, I am also considering adding a fan within the cabinet as I am still concerned that it is still running hotter than I would like.

I have the RB-1080 back again from repair, been using it over the weekend without an issue, hopefully this situation will continue. If I have ongoing problems with the left channel I would probably buy another amp or downgrade to the RB-1070 for better reliability. It is a shame as the RB-1080 is a good sounding amp but seems to suffer from reliability issues.

[Adz]

Fortunately, there is a happy solution to all this.
Get a CineNova Grande - same price range, no blown fuses, no infamous buzz/hum, no problems at all.
Just clean 300 wpc power.

[DrJRapp]

Jerry,

I also own the RB-1070 for zone 2 and RMB-1075 for surround so I used the RB-1070 for my main channels while I had the RB-1080 repaired.

In terms of heat of the RB-1080 I would have to confirm that it runs considerably hotter than the RB-1070 and RMB-1075, I have about 5in clearance above it and it is located within a cabinet but the back of the cabinet has been removed to increase ventilation, I am also considering adding a fan within the cabinet as I am still concerned that it is still running hotter than I would like.

I'm doing likewise..I have an RB 1050 for zone 2 that is now doing duty powering my mains while I pack up the 1080 for it's trip to the Rotel doctor .

Heat could be an issue with my unit. It sits in an open Bello rack with plenty of space all around for ventilation yet the 1080 ran HOT, not warm. This is something I am sure to mention to Rotel when I speak to tech support for an RMA.

For those of you who see this thread as an opportunity to pick on Rotel amps over this issue...DON'T even go there. That isn't the purpose of this thread. I started it seeking help and experience from others. As I mentioned in my opening post, this is my first hardware problem with a Rotel product and I've owned more than a few pieces of Rotel gear. My impression of Rotel is actually heightened by this experience. Since this is the first time I've peeked inside a piece of Rotel gear, I am really very impressed with the build quality, much higher than I expected to see. It's just unfortunate that it got sick!

[Mitchell]

According to Rotel the fuse problem affected both channels equally and it was in fact my right channel that had blown. Once again, the upgrade is not just a fuse but a capacitor as well. Min has been working since I got it back, approx 1 month. Rotel said that units that had been upgraded had not had any reoccurence of the fuse issue.
I think its worth calling them to and nailing down the facts. If the above is correct I think it is a reasonable fix and should my problem should be done with. Only time will tell.
Hope this is helpful

[PewterTA]

Fortunately, there is a happy solution to all this.
Get a CineNova Grande - same price range, no blown fuses, no infamous buzz/hum, no problems at all.
Just clean 300 wpc power.

That is a good idea, however it the CineNova sounds different than the Rotel, and from what I've seen...is more expensive...which some people might not want to put the money out...

And if you happen to buy it used, there is the possibility of the buzzing transformer in the older models...

It is a good amp, I'm not doubting that, but it's also in a different price range in my opinion.

[phillipk]

Statistically, I'm not convinced the issue is more often affecting the left channel. In fact, you could use the same logic to say the issue more often affects males as it seems like most on this board are male. Ultimately, this sample (like ALL the posts on related threads) is not enough to convince me it's the left channel only. Anyway, my dealer wrote on my invoice that if the fuse becomes and issue they'll upgrade it. No problems here, no 12v switch... lots of air around the unit. Thanks!

[NMG]

For what it's worth, I don't notice any difference between the left and right channels as far as heat output goes. I actually find my 1080 to run "warm". I've never been alarmed or even thought to myself "that seems hot" when I've put my hand above it. I have the amp sitting in an open audio rack with about 4 inches of clearance above it.

[Adz]

That is a good idea, however it the CineNova sounds different than the Rotel, and from what I've seen...is more expensive...which some people might not want to put the money out...

And if you happen to buy it used, there is the possibility of the buzzing transformer in the older models...

It is a good amp, I'm not doubting that, but it's also in a different price range in my opinion.

Obviously I'm not a dealer and in fact my main amp isn't a CineNova but quite remarkably the 3 channel EQ CineNova Grande sells new for about $1,400 which is great for HT since its 300wpc all across the mains, and the 5 channel runs about $2,300 or so. So, I would say its not more expensive and I'm only pointing this out to share market information and give our Forum members another choice if they so desire. I know this is in the Rotel Forum, so that will be my last post on the subject (those can IM or email me as to dealers) but again its really meant to help out not to get in a pissing match. I used to own the 1080 and the 1095 and they were both great sounding performers in my system but I was one of those 1 percenters according to Rotel that had both the hum/buzz and the fuse issue (which I later solved by changing my speaker wire but which cost me more money).