Martin Logan Ascent i panel not working

[Justinlwtx]

So after a short phone conversation the problem is solved. Turns out the triac, bottom left of the transformer on the pcb was not activating. A long road to find that a $0.75 part was the problem, which is the reason I began this thread. I could have easily surrendered my $400 to Martin Logan.

Thank you Bolserst, and everyone else for all of your help! Hopefully this helps someone in the future.

 

[bolserst]

For those wondering why the troubleshooting steps didn't originally point to the Triac, it was due to a miscommunication. Back in post#10 when I said to measure voltage across the capacitors, I meant what is shown in Figure 1B. This measurement would have pointed to the Triac as the problem. Unfortunately Justinlwtx thought I meant 2B, which would not distinguish between failed diodes/caps and failed Triac.

It didn't take us but a few minutes on the phone talking over the schematic to figure it out.
Note to self...a picture is still worth a 1000 words.

 

[tyu]

So can the Triac be bypasset to ground.....an work...?
the bias well just be on all the time?
thanks for this info..........

 

[Justinlwtx]

Yes, that's how mine is running until I get the part Monday.

 

[Justinlwtx]

New triac is in, and all is working as expected. Thanks again.

 

[CaptainWillard]

Once you get your Ascent working, don't even waste a minute using the stock passive bass xo. Go active xo for the bass, and you'll have some actual bass impact instead of mush.

What active crossover do you recommend?
What choices are out there?

 

[Andersonix]

For Ascent and Ascenti you need a 12dB/oct lowpass set at 280Hz.
But I don't have a recommendation except to point out that any low tech autosound junk will work fine down here in the bass as long as the PS is clean and doesn't thump turning on/off.
There are lots of pcbs, kits, and finished active xo's out there once you poke around.
I'm using an old Pyramid PR-3000 modified to 280Hz.