jay mitchell
Roadie
- Messages
- 808
I'm not entirely comfortable posting this, for reasons that will become obvious, but I feel obligated to publicize what I just discovered. In case anyone is unaware, I designed the CLR on a consulting basis for Atomic Amplifiers. I was paid for my time only; I never received any compensation based on product sales, i.e., no commissions or royalties.
A CLR owner just dropped off his two MkII Neo speakers for diagnosis and repair. This is a one-time gesture on my part to help out someone who loves the speakers but can't get service, so please don't ask me to fix your CLRs.
He bought the speakers new from Atomic, but at different times. In our discussion, he noted that the one he had bought more recently got noticeably hotter than the other one. This raised my suspicions, because the MKII revisions - which I had originally recommended before the original CLR production run was begun - allow the electronics to run much cooler. MKII units use different power amp modules and power supplies than earlier ones.
I removed the module from the hotter speaker and discovered that it has the original power supply and amp modules, which is why it gets so much hotter (close to 40 degrees F). In a further conversation with the owner, he said he had brought up the temperature discrepancy with Tom King, to which Tom replied that it was "within specification." This implies that Tom was aware of the use of earlier parts. The bottom line is that this CLR is not a legitimate MKII unit, at least not per my design criteria.
If you own a 'MKII" CLR, you can easily tell if it has the correct PS and amp modules. Power the speaker up and leave it on for 20-30 minutes. If it has the correct parts, the heat sink will be warm to the touch - 90 degrees F or so - but you will be able to comfortably leave your hand in contact with the heat sink. If it has the earlier parts, it will be much hotter - about 130 degrees F - and you will not be able to comfortably leave your hand on the heatsink.
If your MKII CLR has the wrong power supply and amp modules, I highly recommended updating the power supply. The power amp modules can remain. The power supply is a Hypex SMPS400A180. You can buy them here: SMPS400A180. Making the change will improve long-term reliability by greatly reducing thermal stress on every electronic component inside. If you have a pre-MKII CLR, you can upgrade it with this power supply change.
Draw your own conclusions about Atomic's business practices. I'm passing along what I've found because it potentially affects quite a few CLR owners.
A CLR owner just dropped off his two MkII Neo speakers for diagnosis and repair. This is a one-time gesture on my part to help out someone who loves the speakers but can't get service, so please don't ask me to fix your CLRs.
He bought the speakers new from Atomic, but at different times. In our discussion, he noted that the one he had bought more recently got noticeably hotter than the other one. This raised my suspicions, because the MKII revisions - which I had originally recommended before the original CLR production run was begun - allow the electronics to run much cooler. MKII units use different power amp modules and power supplies than earlier ones.
I removed the module from the hotter speaker and discovered that it has the original power supply and amp modules, which is why it gets so much hotter (close to 40 degrees F). In a further conversation with the owner, he said he had brought up the temperature discrepancy with Tom King, to which Tom replied that it was "within specification." This implies that Tom was aware of the use of earlier parts. The bottom line is that this CLR is not a legitimate MKII unit, at least not per my design criteria.
If you own a 'MKII" CLR, you can easily tell if it has the correct PS and amp modules. Power the speaker up and leave it on for 20-30 minutes. If it has the correct parts, the heat sink will be warm to the touch - 90 degrees F or so - but you will be able to comfortably leave your hand in contact with the heat sink. If it has the earlier parts, it will be much hotter - about 130 degrees F - and you will not be able to comfortably leave your hand on the heatsink.
If your MKII CLR has the wrong power supply and amp modules, I highly recommended updating the power supply. The power amp modules can remain. The power supply is a Hypex SMPS400A180. You can buy them here: SMPS400A180. Making the change will improve long-term reliability by greatly reducing thermal stress on every electronic component inside. If you have a pre-MKII CLR, you can upgrade it with this power supply change.
Draw your own conclusions about Atomic's business practices. I'm passing along what I've found because it potentially affects quite a few CLR owners.
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