Just scored a bargain! Audiolab 8000s for £100!

It shouldn't damage the amp, they're bombproof, I'd be more concerned about your speakers.

We used a similar setup with twin a's a while ago but only got the pops on turning them on, never on changing input. This was because the power section on the a isn't relayed (that 'click' you get when turning them on is on the pre-amp stage, apparently) and so you can get current dumped into the speakers when you turn them on and the cap's unload.

No idea why it should be doing it with the S though!

Does this happen even when the A isn't connected to the S (pre/power link)? If it is a 'pop' it is likely you're hearing it through the LF part of the speakers and it's something to do with the S. Is it coming through the tweeters only or the whole thing?

On a side note, looking at the picture above, can I recommend you take that DVD player off the top? There isn't enough room for the heat to get out, the amps get toasty when thrashed! :)
 
Ste,

Don't worry, the DVD player's been shifted already!

The problem occurs even when the 8000a isn't turned on so it would appear to be an issue with the 8000s when it's in pre-power mode. Interestingly, I changed the 8000s to HF duties and the 'pop' only occurs on the treble and mid drivers. I had a lenghty email conversation with Kevin Green at the Audio Cellar last night to try and diagnose the problem.

He mentioned things like 'relay's and 'bias' etc all of which convinced me to send the 8000s to him for a service. This was probably what I was going to do anyway as the 8000s is quite a few years old and is notorious for dry joints and bias problems. Hopefully the guys there will sort the problem and I'll be able to enjoy bi-amp goodness!
 
Just to tie up a loose end in this thread - the 8000s is back from a full service. The relays on the main output and pre-power signal paths have been replaced and the bias has been fixed, along with dry joints in the power supply and LH channel amplifier resoldered.

The amp sounds better than ever and the 'pop' whilst changing input or selecting mute is a lot better even though it's still audible. I can only put this down to the sensitivity of the RS6's now (91dbs).

So all in all, i'm very happy with the 8000s/8000a power amp combo at the mo - the differnce in quality is truely astonishing for someone like myself who has no experience of bi-amping before.

I now need to turn my attention to AV - will the upgrade bug never go away?! ;)
 
I paid £40 for a service on the 8000s that fixed bias, sorted all dry joints, reinforced and repaired phono connectors and sorted the various relays. Obviously 2-way postage has to be taken into account unless you're close to their bicester address.

http://www.theaudiocellar.co.uk/

The 8000a had a number of phono connectors replaced, volume control sorted, dry joints fixed, Lch and Rch bias fixed, heatsink refitted, phono ground fixed, pre-power sections seperated all for £60
 
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