Problem using A49 in processor (AV bypass) mode

helloall

Does anyone use an A49 with an ARCAM AVR in processor mode?

I recently purchased an A49 and AVR390 with such a plan. But after my purchase, ARCAM support told me that earlier version of A49 has a bug with its processor mode:

- Set an input to processor mode and assign a trim level (e.g AV and 72 which is the value to level my speakers)
- Use the A49 in AV (i.e. processor mode)
- Switch to standby
- Switch out of standby (unit will power up on Processor Mode)
- Now switch to another input (CD for instance), the volume will be 72 instead of its normal listening volume of 30.

That means in case I watch a movie and switch off A49, if I turn it on again to play CD, I must remember to turn down the volume or my speakers will be burnt instantly.

Worse still, I found that even if I do remember to turn down the volume before switching on my CDP, loud intermittent pops will come out of the speakers as I am turning down the volume. Arcam and I don’t know if this is part of the bug or other issue.

So I run a serious risk of damaging my speakers with this bug. I could even have burnt my speakers already on the first day if I did not approach ARCAM support to question the HT setup process!

ARCAM support has been patient in answering my questions and explained the A49 software can be updated by opening it up, plugging some header with a PC to update the software. My distributor now offers to do this upgrade or a refund. There is no longer other new stock.

For the record, I admire the sound of ARCAM and purchased quite a few gears of this brand. But it's so difficult just to get something that works smoothly so I can sit back and relax. My last ARCAM AVR was faulty on arrival as well and almost burnt my subwoofer

Does anyone have any experience with this bug?  

Thanks

Jamie

If they're offering to perform the firmware update that solves the issue I'm not sure what the problem is.

helloall

Hi I wish to hear if anyone had similar experience and how it was worked out, if the firmware upgrade was smooth or if there were other issues. I couldn't find anyone with such a problem in the forums. All A49 users seemed to have smooth experience.

For example, as mentioned in my post. When I switched from processor mode to CD mode, volume stays 72. When I then turned down the volume with the CDP off, loud pops still came out from the speakers.  Is this "normal" with an old firmware? Or can the unit have other defects?

shug4476

My C31 does the same thing. Oddly the way to get around this was to press the "tape" button and the volume returned to normal on the other inputs.

It is bloody annoying I agree. My former A80 didn't do this.

helloall

Thanks. Did you experience speakers making noise when turning down volume while the bug was provoked?  ARCAM/I are unsure if this is part of the bug or something else.

I'm inclined to get the SW updated as I really love this amp.

shug4476

No I didn't. I had to manually place the AV input into processor mode each time I wanted to use it, and once I did all inputs were locked to the fixed gain level. So if I switched to CD it came out at an insane volume.

No separate noises though. It's very annoying I agree. I ran the A80 in processor mode with a 3808 and it worked exactly as it should. Not clear why the high end stuff can't do what the entry level stuff manages perfectly well.

Did hitting the 'tape' button work for you?

helloall

Thanks for your reply. The locking didn't happen if I simply switch between Processor Mode and other sources.  It only happened after powering off the amp in Processor Mode. Then when I power on, it locks at that high level if I change source. I didn't try the "tape" trick as I only tried out this bug once and experienced the loud noises turning down the volume.

How weird this bug is repeated model after model. I am arranging to have the SW updated and see how it goes.

What is your processor mode level? I have mine at 72.

shug4476

Same - somewhere around 73 I think.

helloall

Tried again this morning. I set the PM volume at a lower value 45 and the noises did not happen. I can rotate the volume dial up and down quickly with no noises. Just found A49 does not have a "tape" button though to try that.

DT79

Years ago I had an A32 that had a similar bug - if you accidentally touched the volume control whilst it was in processor mode (obviously the volume didn’t change when you did that) it stayed on that fixed volume when you switched back to another input.

You’d think after all this time they would have ironed out these sort of things.

I love Arcam, but I have to say, software is not their forte.