Couj Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 About 12 months ago I purchased a Musical Fidelity A3.5 stereo amp from Hong Kong. In my excitement to buy this component I failed to realise that I am not able to turn this component on or off remotely (a physical button needs to be pushed in to turn it on and it doesn't seem to have a standby mode - the input mode however can be set remotely). This is actually proving to be quite painful as it is the only component in my system that I cannot turn on and off via my universal remote. So I was wondering if anyone knows of any skilled audio/visual electrician (modder) who might be up to the challenge of mofiying my unit so that it could be turned on and off via remote control (without interfering with the quality of the sound of the unit). As I purchased this product from Hong Kong I don't really need to worry about warranty issues. I realise that this may seem a bit extreme to some people but it would just make this item so much easier to use in my system. Any recommendations/suggestions? Cheers Couj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 hi couj, when i purchased mine (from Carlton Audio Visual), they told me to leave it on and that there is no need to turn it off. as such, ive left it on since i bought it and havent had the issue you describe. i know of at least a few others on here that do this as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couj Posted January 29, 2007 Author Share Posted January 29, 2007 Thanks DG. The only problem I see with that is that it means that it is consuming quite a bit of power while on (rather than having a low power standby mode. Also it produces a reasonable amount of heat while on (not enough to be worried about but I could do with less rather than more things producing heat in my hot house - especially when it is not in use). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5teve Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Thanks DG. The only problem I see with that is that it means that it is consuming quite a bit of power while on (rather than having a low power standby mode. Also it produces a reasonable amount of heat while on (not enough to be worried about but I could do with less rather than more things producing heat in my hot house - especially when it is not in use). is the on button a soft touch or physical on off ? ie when you turn it on you can switch the mains off... and on and the amp will come on when the mains does? if so why not use something like an ir controlled wall switch.. i'm sure i have seen some plug in units that do that.... if its a soft type switch.. bypass it and use one instead.... Thanks Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drizt Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 is the on button a soft touch or physical on off ? ie when you turn it on you can switch the mains off... and on and the amp will come on when the mains does?if so why not use something like an ir controlled wall switch.. i'm sure i have seen some plug in units that do that.... if its a soft type switch.. bypass it and use one instead.... Thanks Steve Its a physical switch.... Both my rotel and the mf have to be manually turned on... most annoying, but since I have to put a CD in to listen its not much of a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 About 12 months ago I purchased a Musical Fidelity A3.5 stereo amp from Hong Kong. In my excitement to buy this component I failed to realise that I am not able to turn this component on or off remotely (a physical button needs to be pushed in to turn it on and it doesn't seem to have a standby mode - the input mode however can be set remotely). This is actually proving to be quite painful as it is the only component in my system that I cannot turn on and off via my universal remote. So I was wondering if anyone knows of any skilled audio/visual electrician (modder) who might be up to the challenge of mofiying my unit so that it could be turned on and off via remote control (without interfering with the quality of the sound of the unit). As I purchased this product from Hong Kong I don't really need to worry about warranty issues. I realise that this may seem a bit extreme to some people but it would just make this item so much easier to use in my system. Any recommendations/suggestions? Cheers Couj couj a cheaper option might be to buy a remote switchable power board. I understand the likes of hpm sells them. will save you the money or heartache of a modification, plus it would hurt its resale if ever selling on. otherwse it uses 36w on standby. if thats a worry is switching on/off such a bother ? one of the reason the likes of mf have a hard switch for switch on is exactly because its preferable ot leave on and energiesed. theres other brands and equipment similar the rotels, naim, primare etc etc. can be argued either way why better to switch on/off or leave on. switchign on/off might reduce wear on some electronic coimponents but then it takes time to come upto full strength, on the other hand switching on/off will save power but most failures on electronic gear happens on swichign on /off. myself my amps with hard switches stay on... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couj Posted January 29, 2007 Author Share Posted January 29, 2007 Thanks Al. A remote switchable power supply is an interesting idea. I might look into that further (I'd certainly prefer not to mod the unit if I don't have to). When you say that the power drain is 36watts in standby, do you mean when it is on but not playing music? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Thanks Al. A remote switchable power supply is an interesting idea. I might look into that further (I'd certainly prefer not to mod the unit if I don't have to). When you say that the power drain is 36watts in standby, do you mean when it is on but not playing music? long term probably best not to mod especially for the power side. when they say 36w in standby that is when it is on and not playing music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glennb Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 I take it that it doesn't have a 12Volt trigger input? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-austrian Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 I've got an IR controlled power point (from HPM) and I run a 12V supply off that into the 12V trigger on the Elektra - works a treat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couj Posted January 29, 2007 Author Share Posted January 29, 2007 No, sadly - that would have been great. So far I have been able to locate a product called a wireless power point (product code: RCS88). It is producted by a company called "Jackson". Seems like it could do the trick. Jackson's website (www.ji.com.au) says that their products are stocked by Dick Smith (amoung others). There is a DS in my building, so I'll go looking for it tomorrow. The RCS88 package comes with 1 remote control and 1 wireless socket. Apparently 4 extra sockets can be purchased to run off the same remote. Thanks for the ideas guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nocode11503559589 Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Just out of curisosity what did you pay for the amp in Hong Kong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
50mxe20 Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Just out of curisosity what did you pay for the amp in Hong Kong? Yes, I'd be interested too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 I've got an IR controlled power point (from HPM) and I run a 12V supply off that into the 12V trigger on the Elektra - works a treat! yes I cant find it on the hpm site but it definetely exists, might be worth just asking at a electrical wholsaler couj. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Just out of curisosity what did you pay for the amp in Hong Kong? like with other electronics, PJs, avrs etc you can actually get mf gear cheaper via hk. just have to balance it up with getting someone to lug it back here, or the freight plus the gst and also the lack of local warranty. I had the opportunity of getting a mf cd player from HK, but ended up buyign locally after a demo and the local dealer comign to the party. didnt actualyl cost very much more in the end, plus was worth the peace of mind of buying locally and continuing the custom at the local dealer. the mf a3.5 I understand is currently selling for just under $2k without a haggle if I'm right, which is a great price as used to sell at $2.6k rrp. Dont think len wallis are goign to bring it anymore into the country after its sold out, so if wanting to snip up a bargain now would be the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couj Posted January 29, 2007 Author Share Posted January 29, 2007 Anyone know where I can buy an HPM IR controlled power point, like Al, I couldn't find it on their website. I'll look up my records and let you know what I paid for my A3.5. From memory it was a very good price (I purchased it at the same time as my Marantz 9600 DVD player). I had it sent from HK to Japan (while I was living there) via courier. Also Japan only has a 5% GST - helped to sweeten the deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 the mf a3.5 I understand is currently selling for just under $2k without a haggle if I'm right, which is a great price as used to sell at $2.6k rrp. Dont think len wallis are goign to bring it anymore into the country after its sold out, so if wanting to snip up a bargain now would be the time. thats right, i bought mine a few weeks ago and got a few hundred off the RRP. CAV said they bought the last of the a3.5 stock in the country, but did say the model is not being discontinued here - so will continue to be available (when new stock arrives of course). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 thats right, i bought mine a few weeks ago and got a few hundred off the RRP. CAV said they bought the last of the a3.5 stock in the country, but did say the model is not being discontinued here - so will continue to be available (when new stock arrives of course). thats good to hear not being discontinued here, as still available overseas and a beaut amp in my opinion if lookign for a 2ch integrated to use in a 2ch/ht combined setup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozcal Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Anyone know where I can buy an HPM IR controlled power point, like Al, I couldn't find it on their website. I'll look up my records and let you know what I paid for my A3.5. From memory it was a very good price (I purchased it at the same time as my Marantz 9600 DVD player). I had it sent from HK to Japan (while I was living there) via courier. Also Japan only has a 5% GST - helped to sweeten the deal. I have one of the HPM remote switches but I thought they were discontinued.Haven't seen them in the shops for a number of years. Gordon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfred Smee Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 hi couj, when i purchased mine (from Carlton Audio Visual), they told me to leave it on and that there is no need to turn it off. as such, ive left it on since i bought it and havent had the issue you describe. i know of at least a few others on here that do this as well. I suggest that you watch "An Inconvenient Truth". It may alter your view on leaving electrical gear permanently switched on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 I suggest that you watch "An Inconvenient Truth". It may alter your view on leaving electrical gear permanently switched on. lol, thats a little dramatic dont you think? i have seen it and while it was the impetuts for a number of changes ive since made, turning that amp off isnt one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dastrix Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 lol, thats a little dramatic dont you think?i have seen it and while it was the impetuts for a number of changes ive since made, turning that amp off isnt one of them. I leave my MF A5 on constantly, I only ever switch it off if I leave the house for a few days at a time.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couj Posted January 31, 2007 Author Share Posted January 31, 2007 Purchased the Jackson 240volt power outlet with wireless remote controller this morning from Dick Smith (about $38). Picture of it can be seen here: http://www.ji.com.au/index.php?p=productdetail∏=606 I'll plug it in tonight and add it to my Harmony remote and see how it goes. Should hopefully mean that when I select any Activity (Macro) on my Harmony remote that requires the MF A3.5 to be turned on or off then it will turn on or off automatically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
50mxe20 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 I'll plug it in tonight and add it to my Harmony remote and see how it goes. Should hopefully mean that when I select any Activity (Macro) on my Harmony remote that requires the MF A3.5 to be turned on or off then it will turn on or off automatically. Cool. Let us know how it works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-austrian Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 actually, that look pretty cool, looks to have discrete on-off, great for macros. mine only has a single on/off toggle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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