Atomic CLR long-term reliability

I have a pair of pre neo's circa 2011-2012. I just checked and have had them running about 30 min and its definitely warm but not about to burn my skin warm. One thing actually on one of my CLR's is when i was living in this one condo I had them in front of a large window and i don't know if it was the constant sunlight that discoloured the heatsink (see pic). it hasn't affected performance and mine have maybe lasted extra long as I don't have them on prolonged periods and are used fairly lightly in a home hobby setup. I'm wondering if I should upgrade the part as mentioned or fear I risk messing around and have it backfire. Twisting my tinfoil hat...knock on wood...spit....circle of salt...latin chant.
 

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Chewie5150 said:
I have a pair of pre neo's circa 2011-2012. I just checked and have had them running about 30 min and its definitely warm but not about to burn my skin warm. One thing actually on one of my CLR's is when i was living in this one condo I had them in front of a large window and i don't know if it was the constant sunlight that discoloured the heatsink (see pic). it hasn't affected performance and mine have maybe lasted extra long as I don't have them on prolonged periods and are used fairly lightly in a home hobby setup. I'm wondering if I should upgrade the part as mentioned or fear I risk messing around and have it backfire. Twisting my tinfoil hat...knock on wood...spit....circle of salt...latin chant.
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I’ve just recently seen an older one that had a heat sink like that. It’s pretty easy to spot that difference (referring to Jay Mitchell’s post)… 135-140 is like hot water from a tap that’s uncomfortable to keep your hands in. If you can comfortably keep your hand on the left side of that sink, you’re good.
 
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I finally had a chance to check all three of my CLR Neo's, one of them was a standard speaker that Tom upgraded to a Neo speaker early on. All three appear to be the cooler running amps so I'm very happy about that. I did notice that one of the CLR's has a heatsink that has a bit of discoloration, similar to what @Chewie5150 posted above, but not quite as bad. Maybe the change in color of the heatsink isn't related to the over-heating?
@Chewie5150 - Is the CLR with the discolored heatsink warm to the touch or really hot after 20-30 minutes of use?
 
I have one OG CLR's from Jan 2013 - still running. It has been left on for days at a time over the years. (on accident)
I got a NEO mk II last year and have had no issues. I do notice that I have to turn the volume up a little higher on the Neo MK II to match the OG.
I would love to try something else only because I have Terminal Gas.

No discoloration on the heatsink. I need to get a thermo meter to see if there is a heat difference as I cant tell the diff by touch.
 
ScottyB said:
I finally had a chance to check all three of my CLR Neo's, one of them was a standard speaker that Tom upgraded to a Neo speaker early on. All three appear to be the cooler running amps so I'm very happy about that. I did notice that one of the CLR's has a heatsink that has a bit of discoloration, similar to what @Chewie5150 posted above, but not quite as bad. Maybe the change in color of the heatsink isn't related to the over-heating?
@Chewie5150 - Is the CLR with the discolored heatsink warm to the touch or really hot after 20-30 minutes of use?
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Yeah im not sure if the discoloration was actually due to any actual overheating but for years I had an office desk with the CLRS in front of a south facing window with loads of sunlight that hit that one CLR mostly (where it was positioned). Im not sure if the sunlight can cause that but its what I figured. the heatsink doesnt feel any warmer than the other CLR and after 20-30 min can rest my hands on. warm but not hot enough that I need to move my hand off.....
 
GuitarDojo said:
I have one OG CLR's from Jan 2013 - still running. It has been left on for days at a time over the years. (on accident)
I got a NEO mk II last year and have had no issues. I do notice that I have to turn the volume up a little higher on the Neo MK II to match the OG.
I would love to try something else only because I have Terminal Gas.

No discoloration on the heatsink. I need to get a thermo meter to see if there is a heat difference as I cant tell the diff by touch.
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It’s pretty notable unless you have asbestos in your hands like my wife. Lol. Like I said earlier, that 40 or more degrees difference after it’s been on 15-20 minutes was HUGE between mine. It’s what prompted me to look into it. Not that it matters now… they’re both taking up room in a corner, broken. Glad to hear yours is doing better!
Chewie5150 said:
Yeah im not sure if the discoloration was actually due to any actual overheating but for years I had an office desk with the CLRS in front of a south facing window with loads of sunlight that hit that one CLR mostly (where it was positioned). Im not sure if the sunlight can cause that but its what I figured. the heatsink doesnt feel any warmer than the other CLR and after 20-30 min can rest my hands on. warm but not hot enough that I need to move my hand off.....
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I’m 99% sure that’s just washout from sunlight. As you describe the heat-to-touch, it’s definitely not like mine… I can’t keep my hand on it beyond 5 seconds or so without it becoming very uncomfortable.
 
Today might be one of those gremlin in the system kinda days. I'm having bunch of small hiccups on everything! Just updated my Mac OS (minor update) and having funny little quirks with my system....then in the middle of it all....oof a sharp pain in my chest...is this it...heart attack? not me... my left CLR monitor. Sound just stopped suddenly. Red power switch still lit up. is this it? is this the death knell? power cycled my apollo and CLR's and its back n running but now I'm very anxious.....worst case scenario these have lasted me a good 12 yrs. praying to the old gods and new these last me a bit more.
 

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Chewie5150 said:
Today might be one of those gremlin in the system kinda days. I'm having bunch of small hiccups on everything! Just updated my Mac OS (minor update) and having funny little quirks with my system....then in the middle of it all....oof a sharp pain in my chest...is this it...heart attack? not me... my left CLR monitor. Sound just stopped suddenly. Red power switch still lit up. is this it? is this the death knell? power cycled my apollo and CLR's and its back n running but now I'm very anxious.....worst case scenario these have lasted me a good 12 yrs. praying to the old gods and new these last me a bit more.
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It's amazing that it lasted 12 years. Count yourself lucky.
 
vika12 said:
It's amazing that it lasted 12 years. Count yourself lucky.
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oh totally. i'm not complaining I just feared its time is up and at some point its inevitable.Now i revisit the rabbit hole of studio monitors. I'm thinking more traditional form factor vs FRFR since I have my pair of Fender FR12's for guitar. I'll be looking for more mixing reference monitors/for my synths etc.. I'd love barefoot 03's (on the high spending end) or other favs like Adams, Genelic or Focal 65's etc..all will certainly be a smaller form factor than the CLR's which I welcome. The CLR's are certainly conspicuous in the room.

I'm not entirely sure this one CLR is dead yet...will see what happens today. If it does break down and i know that the issue is and if its say something liek the power module that some have replaced DIY I'd go for that since the other CLR is still pushing on. worst case scenario: it dies but i have one good CLR so not sure what to do with that one...sell i suppose but i feel selling a single CLR is a pretty niche purchase for someone. I'd price to move it fast.
 
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replacing a power module is not a big deal, even I as an electronics noob was able to do it. You just have to find out which one is dead as there are four inside. I first replaced the main power supply (Hypex SMPS400A180, these are the ones that run cooler) but no dice, then I replaced the HF power module (Hypex UCD180LP) and voila, no problems since. There are three of the UCDs on the circuit board, IIRC another one for HF and one for LF. And only the 180s work with the 180s main supply.
 
gitfruit said:
replacing a power module is not a big deal, even I as an electronics noob was able to do it. You just have to find out which one is dead as there are four inside. I first replaced the main power supply (Hypex SMPS400A180, these are the ones that run cooler) but no dice, then I replaced the HF power module (Hypex UCD180LP) and voila, no problems since. There are three of the UCDs on the circuit board, IIRC another one for HF and one for LF. And only the 180s work with the 180s main supply.
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how did you or others identify that was the failing part? its still early on here to tell whats happening but as i mentioned in earlier post suddenly the sound just cut out but could see the CLR still powered on (red switch lit). powered off for 5-10 min and powered back on . sound was there again. If it happens again today i'll try a few variables like switching to the other input. I thought at first maybe problem with my apollo perhaps but the small hiss from the CLR that i normally hear also went out so that rules out the apollo
 
Chewie5150 said:
how did you or others identify that was the failing part?
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I did not, I just exchanged the big power supply, that didn´t solve the problem. So I exchanged one of the small power modules next and that was it. Trial and error - or not. Mine made crackling noises and the tweeter cut out. So you might have a different issue. But usually its the power supply.
 
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