Auto-on functions unreliably...

[Barry Kushin]

I've always left the power switch on my VTF2.3 in auto mode. But if the volume is low to moderate on my receiver the sub will not turn on - or if a song comes on with little low bass, the sub turns off. I have to crank the volume way up on the receiver and/or pump the subwoofer level way up, to get it to come on. And then it's likely to turn off again depending on source material or reveiver volume.

Do I have something set wrong to cause this? Or is it just the way Hsu subs operate? Or is there something wrong with the amp?

It really makes the "auto" position on that switch kind of useless if I have to keep forcing the sub to come on unless I'm playing my receiver fairly loud...

I posted this on the AVS Forum as well, hopefully someone has some insight...

Any thoughts/comments?

Thanks,

Barry

[Pete_Hsu]

Barry, may I ask how high the volume knob is on the sub amp? Are you feeding only one input on the sub amp, and is crossover set to 'Out'? Finally, how high is the channel level on the receiver for all speakers and subwoofer, what is the crossover frequency set at on the receiver for all speakers and subwoofer?

Thanks

[Barry Kushin]

Barry, may I ask how high the volume knob is on the sub amp? Are you feeding only one input on the sub amp, and is crossover set to 'Out'? Finally, how high is the channel level on the receiver for all speakers and subwoofer, what is the crossover frequency set at on the receiver for all speakers and subwoofer?

Thanks

Thanks Pete! Sorry for the delayed response - haven't checked this forum for a while...

You may have posted a response in the AVS forum as well. Based on this & other feedback I lowered the volume on the sub & ran Audyssey again. Seems to work better now, but still doesn't come on with the volume low. The levels on the receiver now are around -5-7db for the mains & surrounds (I think) and -3.5db for the sub. That's up from -12.5db for the sub before. I originally had the sub level at a little over 10 o'clock. Now it's barely over 9 o'clock. So I guess I'll keep playing with the levels & see - not a big deal, just one of those little annoyances from time to time. Overall, I love the speakers & sub!!

Thanks,

Barry

[Pete_Hsu]

Barry, are you feeding just one input on the sub amplifier?

Feel free to simply leave the On/Off/Auto switch to 'On' all the time. Interestingly enough, power consumption is identical between 'On' and 'Auto' modes, with the only difference being the functioning of the LED. Power consumption at idle is very low, only ~ 5w.

Sincerely,

[Beaker1024]

How do you disable the auto-on/off feature on the original VTF-2?

Mine has started shutting off abruptly all of a sudden. I'm talking about watching NHRA drag racing with all the LFE (ESPN2 HD 5.1 sound).

[Pete_Hsu]

You have to first remove the sub amp. To do that, unplug everything from the back of the sub amp, remove the 12 screws around the four outer edges of the amp, pull the amp out a bit, disconnect the speaker wire from the + and - terminals of the down-firing driver, and then pull the entire amp (with plastic cover) out of the enclosure. Then you will need to remove the plastic cover to access the internal jumpers. On the 30-90Hz VTF-2 MK1 amps, simply remove the four small screws at each corner of the amp (on the 60-120Hz VTF-2 MK1 amps one will also have to remove a couple other small screws). On the input board (close to where the volume control is), there is a jumper labeled On/Off/Auto. Move the jumper from the 'Auto' to 'On' position, and the amp will be always on.

If your issue is not be resolved to changing from Auto to On, then you will need to send your amplifier in for servicing. Feel free to call us for further instructions.

Sincerely,

[laststop]

I have the same issue with both my stf-1 and vtf-2 mk3. At low volume levels the sub will not come on on auto. I'm feeding both with a single rca.

I leave both in the on position and it's good to know that that is essentially the same as auto.

[Pete_Hsu]

Yeah, it is perfectly safe to leave it like that!