RSP-1068 fault...

[Stevebez]

OK so this is a bit wierd, but a fault none the less.

Unit turns on fine and runs fine ... for mbe 30mins to 1 hour , sometimes longer. Then I hear a pop through the speakers and then no sound from any channel. Switching it on / off at the button does not rememdy - a "hard" reset at the rear power switch is needed to get it going again.

Also noticed yesterday is some cross talk in composite video feed between channel 4&5 I think not exactly sure which with which.

Initially when the problem first developed the "pop" was really loud , but now has become quieter and seemingly more frequent - although sometimes it does not occur at all. I really like the sound from the unit and dont really want to change it , but it seems like the dsp might be fried or its the power supply. either way a fairly hefty repair I would think. Worth repairing or shall I get a 1069 ?

Also where do I send for repair in the UK?

Regards

[Kevin D]

Next time it does it, run some audio to the multi-channel inputs and see if you get sound from them. If so, the DSP board is the problem.

If not, might be some other problem.

Kevin D.

[Stevebez]

Could it be a thermal protection cut off? Unit does seem to run quite hot....

But it runs again for another 30-60mins after a hard reboot , before it occurs again - if indeed it does. Its really very diffuclt to tie down as to cause... I also reinstalled latest firmware to no avail...

Last thing I want is to send it back and forth to/from the repair centre only to find the problem is recurring.....

[madmac]

This is an issue with these 10** series of units with digital processing for sure. It will eventually not work at all!!. See my reply to another user above with the exact same problem. If it is under warranty, send it back asap along with a detailed description of what is going wrong. The problem at Rotel is that they do not put in the time to witness the unit malfunction. They simply 'assume' what the issue is and replace some parts. Mine came back with a new digital processor, some parts and a firmware update but alas, the same problem and popping noise occurs. I am asking for a replacement unit now because I do not want to wait another month without the unit only to get it back with the same problem!! If under warranty (5 yrs), Bring it back to the store you bought it from and they will ship it back to Rotel at no charge. I'll keep you posted about my plight !!

[madmac]

Rotel Service!

Rotel, upon me sending them a letter, agreed to replace my RSX-1056 for a refurbished RSX-1057. The shop where I bought the unit here in Montreal (Environnment Electronique) was helpful and stood behind me in my request for a replacement unit. It certainly pays to by equipment from a store which stands by their products!.

So far, the new unit works great and there's no more popping and sound cut out!!. Also, for whatever reason, this unit seems to 'sound' better than the 1056 !!?. Gotta say that I lucked out because my 5 year warranty was going to run out this November!!.

All's well and ends well.

[Stevebez]

If under warranty (5 yrs), Bring it back to the store you bought it from and they will ship it back to Rotel at no charge. I'll keep you posted about my plight !!

5yrs ? I was told it was 2 years here in the UK ...? wtf?

....and a 300$ flat rate repair charge (minimum).

[madmac]

Rotel gear is guaranteed for 5 yrs here in Canada. I don't see why they would do less in the U.K ?. It's one of the BIG perks to buying Rotel gear other than the great audio!!

[mickster1972]

Me too...

Just found this thread upon a search for a problem I am having...

I also experienced the same popping noise as described in this thread with my RSP-1068... loud pop followed by the audio shutting off. The folks at Rotel were nice enough to replace my digital board free of charge last August, 2011. My unit was a few months out of warranty, but they took care of it since I had been experiencing the problem intermittently for over a year.

I received the repaired unit back and everything seemed fine for a while. Then, within a month or so, the same thing started happening again. I am just getting around to corresponding with Rotel today. Has anyone else experienced this and gotten a fix that didn't involve just swapping out the digital board? I'm wondering if there is another culprit here? In the meantime, I'm hoping that the popping doesn't blow my speakers!

[mickster1972]

Update... just heard back from Rotel. They are offering to take the RSP-1068 and the 5 channel amp (RMB-1075) into their shop for diagnosis and repair. Their customer service has been stellar in my experience... quick, responsive and thorough. I really appreciate that. It makes me want to be a customer for life.

Can't wait to get done with school and back to the workforce... upgrading to the new HDMI-equipped processor is probably overdue. Just hope they can figure out what is ailing my system and fix it to tide me over for another year or so...

If there is any interest, I will update this group on what they determine the problem to be in addition to a(nother) faulty digital board.

[jam200]

Keep us informed.

[madmac]

Keep us informed.

Ditto for me!. I'm curious how this will turn out for you. Keep your fingers crossed though!! :roll:

[mickster1972]

Well, so far it is $120 in freight to ship the processor and amp to MA. Fingers crossed is right! If this doesn't fix it I may have to *gasp* downgrade. 8O

[madmac]

50/50 chance at best they'll fix it for good. The problem is, is that you have to operate the gear under 'load' for a good deal of time to witness the problem occur. Rotel service will likely not do that so in that case, they are somewhat 'guessing' as to what's wrong with the unit honestly!!. Good luck and I hope it works out for you!!.

[mickster1972]

I was informed today by Rotel's service supervisor Eric that there was a loose internal connection in the processor [RSP-1068]. Both processor and amp [RMB-1075] are being shipped back today. By the way, Rotel received the units from me on the 7th, started working on them on the 14th, and finished up today (2-3 working days on the bench). I am hoping that means they kept the unit on the bench long enough to allow the problem to present itself and also, once the problem was identified and fixed, kept it in house long enough to make sure it was resolved. I was told there were no issues found with the amp.

Can't wait to get it all back and reconnected. Hopefully, this will fix things for good (that is, until I can afford to upgrade to the RSP-1572).

[madmac]

I was informed today by Rotel's service supervisor Eric that there was a loose internal connection in the processor [RSP-1068]. Both processor and amp [RMB-1075] are being shipped back today. By the way, Rotel received the units from me on the 7th, started working on them on the 14th, and finished up today (2-3 working days on the bench). I am hoping that means they kept the unit on the bench long enough to allow the problem to present itself and also, once the problem was identified and fixed, kept it in house long enough to make sure it was resolved. I was told there were no issues found with the amp.

Can't wait to get it all back and reconnected. Hopefully, this will fix things for good (that is, until I can afford to upgrade to the RSP-1572).

Good luck Mickster!! When you get them back, turn them on and leave them on for a few days to be sure it's fixed!!. :W

[mickster1972]

Just a brief update to say that I received my Rotel processor back yesterday, hooked it up and ran it continuously for over 4 hours without any issues. (streaming music with Apple TV, watching a Blu-Ray movie and watching the evening news). Previously, it would pop and shut down after 30-60 minutes.

Also, I looked at the repair invoice for the RSP-1068 and it is clear that they did more work than just fix a loose connection as previously indicated by the customer service supervisor. The invoice indicates that the technician replaced 2 faulty voltage regulators, replaced three 10K uF caps, performed a "diode modification" (replacing 6 diodes), replaced the digital PCB (again) and ran diagnostics. All free of charge under extended warranty.

They tested my amp (RMB-1075) and found no faults.

I am a happy camper! Rotel fanboy? Maybe. :T

-Sean

[madmac]

Just a brief update to say that I received my Rotel processor back yesterday, hooked it up and ran it continuously for over 4 hours without any issues. (streaming music with Apple TV, watching a Blu-Ray movie and watching the evening news). Previously, it would pop and shut down after 30-60 minutes.

Also, I looked at the repair invoice for the RSP-1068 and it is clear that they did more work than just fix a loose connection as previously indicated by the customer service supervisor. The invoice indicates that the technician replaced 2 faulty voltage regulators, replaced three 10K uF caps, performed a "diode modification" (replacing 6 diodes), replaced the digital PCB (again) and ran diagnostics. All free of charge under extended warranty.

They tested my amp (RMB-1075) and found no faults.

I am a happy camper! Rotel fanboy? Maybe. :T

-Sean

4 hours is a little early to walk away and say that it's fixed. Keep it on and let it go for a few days to be sure. Also, play some music moderately loud for a few hours too. Sounds like you got a good technician to fix it though!! :T

[mickster1972]

I will give no report before its time. Consider my last report an "interim observation". Played it all day yesterday without break, including for 3 hours at near-concert level driving my Modula MTM speakers (wife was out getting her nails done hence the ear-bleeding volume). No popping. No shutdown. Still a happy camper.

Hopefully, this will be the long-term fix.

[mickster1972]

Just an update to say that my RSP-1068 is working well without popping or shutdown. It's been 3 weeks of daily use. Thank you, Rotel!

[madmac]

All's well and ends well. A few thoughts regarding this situation however. I believe good ventilation is very important....especially in a hot climate. Another thing is proper grounding. Make sure the unit in electrically grounded and spike protected.

[dan87951]

Pretty sad that rotel mid-fi gear barely lasts past the warranty. I got an old HK AVR520 that is almost 10 years old not a lick of problem and I use it every day. (in the garage)

[madmac]

Pretty sad that rotel mid-fi gear barely lasts past the warranty. I got an old HK AVR520 that is almost 10 years old not a lick of problem and I use it every day. (in the garage)

On another note however.....Rotel warranties their products for a full 5 years, which none of the other's do, so there's something to be said for that!!! :T

I think the real issue with the newer Rotel's is in their foray into the 'digital' processing aspect of audio, of which they are serious newcomers compared to the other mfrs. They just haven't completely figured it out and there are 'bugs' here and there in their products (Such as their famous HDMI issues). :roll:

[mickster1972]

Anecdotal evidence of reliability and sonic impressions aside, the point of my posting in the first place was twofold: (1) to determine if others were experiencing the same problem and (2) to alert other similarly-situated Rotel owners with a possible solution that appears to have worked for me.

HK is a fine brand and Harman International makes fine products. I have owned Infinity speakers and other Harman products over the years. In my opinion, Rotel also makes fine products and I am appreciative that they are willing to go beyond their warranty terms to address performance or defect issues.

[dan87951]

The 5 year warranty doesn't do much good if it fails in the 6th year though. I just don't totally agree with the direction B&W Group has taken Rotel and Classe at the prices they charge. Seems the higher the price the less reliably! I wish them the best though..