Apogee DA-16X, Finicky mains button

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by HandCrafted Lab

So, finicky mains function , the device is used, but in pristine condition, optically at least.

As you know, the device has internal jumper, P13, to configure mains function for two modes, with immediate powering On of device (or multiple devices in setup) after powering of common mains, or just powering by mains button.

If I`m setting one position of jumper - the device power On is instant , after slight pushing of button....but a shutting down is problem, only after many stupid attempts with button, with no logic with pushes, "hey, try to sleep me".
Well, if I`m setting another position of this jumper - the powering On becomes a problem, "try to awake me" (same how with above mentioned) - however shutting down becomes instant, with no problem.
Of course, support commented for broken button few times (though I able to install or replace something a bit more complex things inside of devices, vs buttons (and which was replaced for newest, from start, just a case).

So, whether someone had this problem? and reasons?

Flick the thing with your finger, similar to how you would flick your sibling in the ear to annoy them, expect the only one who is annoyed is the person flicking expensive converter hardware.

[D.F.]

Originally Posted by Roc Mixwell

Flick the thing with your finger, similar to how you would flick your sibling in the ear to annoy them, expect the only one who is annoyed is the person flicking expensive converter hardware.

Yup. What a stupid f*ckin design.

Does my nut in every time I have to flick.

But a bit better than "the thumb and forefinger flick", I find, is to touch it at the edge of the button and then quickly press in and off the edge of it, your finger will then hit the faceplate.

Works nearly every time.

Hi tech huh?

Joy.

[HandCrafted Lab]

I.e. it`s not a fault and the device works in this way everywhere?
As button itself is working properly, button contacts make break on/off properly, just with gentle touching, that mean a hardware inside were designed in this way, from start?

[666666]

I have five AD-16X / DA-16X units... bought them new and have taken great care of them... the main power button has failed on ALL of them. This is clearly a defect, they used crappy / faulty power switches. I would say, if you own one of these units, EXPECT the power button to fail at some point... just a matter of time. And yes, the only saving grace is the P13 internal jumper that allows you to still power on the units even after the power button on the front finally goes completely dead (read the owner's manual for details on the P13 jumper). You can flick the main power button with your finger for a while but it'll eventually crap out completely. Apogee SHOULD replace these buttons for FREE, but currently they do not... whaddya gonna do. They installed crap switches on units that originally cost like $3500 or whatever... not cool. I have not yet worked with any of the newer Apogee units, I sure hope they're using better switches now.

[T_R_S]

those switches are junk ...

[666666]

One thing that I thought was a bit uncool of Apogee...

A while back, before I had known about the P13 jumper trick, I called Apogee about the fact that I could no longer power on two of my five units due to bad switches. They happily had me send the units in for repair, cost me a few hundred bucks plus expensive round-trip shipping, and perhaps worst of all, down-time. They never mentioned anything to me about the P13 jumper. If I had known about the jumper I could have instantly powered up my units and kept on working plus I would have saved myself a good deal of extra time and money. At least I found out about the jumper before my other three units failed, so... it could have been worse.

I guess Apogee has a nice little racket going on over there, they sell many thousands of units with faulty switches, now they have a steady stream of repair business from the many customers who are not hip to the P13 jumper. I'm convinced that every single switch out there on these units WILL fail, just a matter of time. Perhaps just another trick to help get these units off the streets so they can sell more of the new stuff.

Anyone that knows me on the forum here knows that I almost NEVER complain or put down any manufacturers. I'm a very patient and understanding gearslut. Overall I've been happy with Apogee products and Apogee service. But, this one issue definitely made me a bit unhappy. I spent over $15k buying 5 of these high-end Apogee converters, they come with faulty, failing switches, then Apogee charges me to repair the switches (yes, I was out of warranty, but still) and doesn't even tell me that there's a super quick, easy way to bypass the faulty switches. I could have been up and running within minutes if they had simply told me.

Guess I'll let it slide and will just need to remember that Apogee's ethics are a bit questionable. When dealing with Apogee be VERY careful and always read the manuals cover to cover, as well test and research the products hard before the warranty is up.

Apogee, if you can't stand behind your products, especially when they are delivered with known faults, at least alert the customers of the work-arounds. That's the least you can do for people who have spent many thousands of dollars on your products. I don't think that this is too unreasonable of a request. All this digital stuff has a life, yes, but it should last and be reliable at least until it becomes obsolete (which is not a very long period really).

On the other side of the coin, thank goodness they designed the unit with the ability to bypass the crappy power switch (P13 jumper), guess that deserves some praise. Everyone would REALLY be screwed otherwise.

Note: the P13 jumper apparently does not truly "bypass" the switch, the switch is still functional even when the jumper is set for instant power-on, but at least you can still power up the unit without having to touch the switch. Otherwise there'd come a point where you would no longer be able to power up the unit at all.

[Disco Cubist]

Ad and da here, same on both

[balanceman]

in this case a power strip is your best friend. think of it as a "remote on/off switch"
the power button is crap...

[latestflavor]

if you find one where the switch is actually working, and the jumper is not engaged, it may be in mint condition.

[Vogon]

Our DA-16 button failed, to the point where flicking was not working.
They said "it must have overheated". Even though no other units (not DA-16s) have failing switches.
And sent us - the same 5 cent model switch as a replacement, even though I asked for them not to.
Guess what has happened to the replacement in an even shorter time period, even after a 1u space was put above and below the DA-16?

[Todd Loomis]

Exact same problem here... on both the AD and the DA... seriously crappy switches... on these expensive converters. Ridiculous... Should be a free fix. Mine have not yet failed, but they are really bad now and it's a struggle to power them on and off.

[mixerguy]

Um.... Have any of you contacted either your dealer , or Apogee support?

I have 16x.

Yes I had problems with one of the power buttons.

Yes apogee fixed it. Quickly and no charge.

[Todd Loomis]

I haven't yet... I've been avoiding it until a period when I don't mind shipping out my converters for a little bit...

[Disco Cubist]

hmmmm...

Yeah because shipping my convertors out wouldn't inconvenience me at all....

[RoundBadge]

over a 5 year period I've had to replace the power button on 5 units.
everyone I know who's owned them has had to replace switches at some point.
luckily I live in LA and Apogee's in Santa Monica.
nice customer service.they've always had the units turned around in a day or so.

[question]

I have both the DA16X and AD16X, and both switches failed long ago.
The jumper trick does work, and as someone mentioned, the units can still be shut down with the switch (if you can get it to work) after changing the jumper settings.
I called the Apogee dealer in Germany and they said that they had not seen problems with the switches before.???

Maybe (Max I believe) from Apogee would like to reduce the bad press here on these otherwise nice convertors by offering to replace the switches with better quality ones for all users.

I am sure that my units are long past their warranty period, but if it is a design flaw maybe they should consider fixing it.

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by question

I called the Apogee dealer in Germany and they said that they had not seen problems with the switches before.???

They are lying to you.
this switch problem has been a commonplace problem for years.
Find a new dealer

[Todd Loomis]

When they replace them, are they using the same crappy switches? - or are they upgrading them?

I'm not opposed to paying a "small" fee for an upgrade... but I don't like the idea of paying to get new "crappy" switches installed that will then fail in the not too distant future.

[wm_b]

Had my AD16x since 2006 or maybe 2005. My power switch still works but I did the jumper thing the day I installed it because of how my system powers up. I have used the power button a few times but not much. I've used the other buttons many more times, I hope they don't fail.