I think I would "strike off the list" any audio unit that needs a firmware update, to me that's built-in obsolescence. There will be a point in time where Yamaha or any other manufacturer will stop providing updates or service.
Craig
Craig
Other than the annoying clicking "obsolescence" thing the 701, 801, 1100 are really nice sounding amps if you get them in a fairly good physical condition. I really do not get the meaning of implementing a CPU + firmware in such a device other than planned obsolescence and the fact that someone else has to be payed for designing and implementing those things. Or maybe the cpu is a fancy design for the remote control, who knows 😛.
Btw, if the main CPU goes dead (as I had the opportunity to get one in a A-S801) the only way to get the amp going is to buy a pre programmed main CPU board from Yamaha-Japan. So yeah, Yamaha isn't cheap or easy to repair but sometimes it's worth the hustle.
No. There was no error and no issue with function. It only happened when the unit was off or standby.
Built in obsolescence would mean that no firmware update could be done to solve an issue. Of course a manufacturer will stop supporting the device after a while as you should buy new stuff. A device that can have bug fixes is somewhat more futureproof than a device that can't.
Suppose this Yamaha could not be updated, well then it would be a door stopper.
Many thanks for sharing this. I picked up a second hand A-S301 on several months ago, and noticed the clicking issue not long after hooking it up. Initial google searches suggested the only way to get it fixed was to send it off to Yamaha to fix the power supply, so i just ended leaving the amp on all the time. Just found this thread a few days ago - I'm glad i tried searching for a fix again!
I had some issue applying the update, but i think it was the way i burned the disc. First attempt was burned with Windows Media Player - it seemed to burn ok, but nothing happened on the amp when i played it on the cd player, and the amp was in update mode. I then tried burning with iTunes - i selected the gapless option when i burned the disc, and this time the update was successful. I went from v10 to v 12, and no clicking since 🙂
Nicely done ! Another A-S getting saved. Definitely not a power supply issue as I previously thought myself.
So anyone who wants to update the firmware I advise to try the CD in a CD-DCD unit and check if the sound wave is the same as listened on pc with a normal player. It should sound like some clicks and hisses that keep going for 27 seconds. Then please connect the cd-dvd unit to the amp as the firmware operation manual advices and then please check again that you hear from your amp the same wave that you listened prior.
So anyone who wants to update the firmware I advise to try the CD in a CD-DCD unit and check if the sound wave is the same as listened on pc with a normal player. It should sound like some clicks and hisses that keep going for 27 seconds. Then please connect the cd-dvd unit to the amp as the firmware operation manual advices and then please check again that you hear from your amp the same wave that you listened prior.
My AS301 has clicking relays issue just in power on condition. Randomly it turns itself (clicking relay occurred) to standby mode or sometimes can continues to switch on again. Its realy annoying.
I intend to update the firmware but the procedure asks me to check the current firmware first. It is version 13.
Having read this thread the received firmware is version 12.
Do you think can I just do the downgrade from version 13 to 12 . Then If it is not solved I can't go back to version 13.
Do you think my problem is different as it never clicking if the power switch is off position and stand by postion. It happens only during power on state.
Please advise. Thanks.
I do not know if you can downgrade the firmware 🙁. It is at your own risk.
Usually I'd advice you not to do it. The majority of the devices that I tried to upgrade didn't wanted to accept lower firmware but then again, those devices would alert about that. Maybe you can find some information in the service manual under the firmware upgrade procedure ?
Usually I'd advice you not to do it. The majority of the devices that I tried to upgrade didn't wanted to accept lower firmware but then again, those devices would alert about that. Maybe you can find some information in the service manual under the firmware upgrade procedure ?
n3m3roth,
I will find the infos. Yamaha do not open their released firmware of this.
So far I tried to clean the main power supply relay and the impedance switch but problem still persists.
There are some users that have the same symtomp.
Thanks for your advise.
Looking forward for any infos related to my problem.
I will find the infos. Yamaha do not open their released firmware of this.
So far I tried to clean the main power supply relay and the impedance switch but problem still persists.
There are some users that have the same symtomp.
Thanks for your advise.
Looking forward for any infos related to my problem.
Sorry to dig this up again but believe it or not I do not have access to a CD/DVD burner. Seeing as all you need is a device that can play a digital file can you not use another device (mp3 player, iPhone) with the same cables to upgrade the firmware? I have an AS-501 and AS-301 and both have the clicking thing, which annoys me to no end. Thanks in advance!
Hi, I never tried from an Mp3 or other audio device. I don't know if this is a valid way of loading the firmware even if it might seem it is. You can definitely try to load it and see for yourself (maybe tell us if it worked) but please keep in mind that the firmware upload procedure is a very risky one, if something happens during the procedure, if it is interrupted or something is not ok with the audio path your Yamaha Amp might become a nice stylish brick 😛. Unfortunately I do not have the Bootloader and the programmer for the main CPU if that would be needed. I wouldn't recommend it from an mp3 but only if you feel lucky. Do you have a cd-dvd player, I could send you a copy of the cd.
Hello there, thank you very much for your reply! Yes, I have seen that it's a risky procedure but I feel confident in being able to carry it out. Just thought I could ask about the file being played through another player before having to buy/borrow a CD/DVD burner. I do have a CD player so can carry out the update from then on. Your offer of sending a disc would be greatly appreciated, thank you very much! I've made an account here just for this issue here as it's the main thread/forum with the firmware file link! Let me see if I can PM you or if I'm too new.