KRK Rokit 5 G3. How to permanently disable the auto power off feature? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: AllTe
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 25, 2020, 04:35:41 pm
content: How to do it mechanically, electronically. Not with the software (RMAS)?

author: JKKDev
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2020, 03:41:38 pm
content: First of all, you might get a better response if you put some more information and effort into your question as well as document what you've already tried.However, I did look at some disassembly videos of this unit and one thing caught my eye. There is a white cable (3 lines) going from power supply to the main amp board. If I've seen the designations correctly one of them is ST which might be a standby signal.I would suggest you take a photo of the board next to the connector for this cable (both sides) where the writing is visible. You could also measure the voltages on the three lines when the unit is operating as well as when it goes into standby (power-off?). It appears that is the only way the mainboard could turn itself off completely so if we can bypass a turnoff signal it might keep the unit on all the time.

author: AllTe
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 01, 2020, 10:44:51 am
content: Hello, I measured the voltages on these pins as follows:DG - 0 V5V - 5.1 VST - 2.9 V.The voltage does not change whether it is in standby mode or not. Maybe it depends on that i measured with a cheap multimeter. Cutting the lines one by one results in a click of the relay and complete silence. Reconnection works in the opposite way. I added a photo.

author: DannyTheGhost
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2020, 12:50:04 pm
content: I just found reverse-engineered schematic to similar model and as far as I understood it, there is what I could've done:1. Get the datasheet for main amplifier ICs, those beefy chips on the heatsink, they should have standby input pin2. You could find where are tracks from these pins are going (they should go to some sort of transistor or another IC) and modify standby circuit if you'll want to use standby function later, or just cut these tracks and pull to needed logic level (according to amp IC datasheet) to permanently disable standby on those amps

author: AllTe
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 04, 2020, 03:01:32 pm
content: Hello, Thanks for the suggestions. Tracing and cutting the PCB lines failed due to very inconvenient placement of IC (TDA7296) and other components. I didn't even understand why there were two ICs. Either one for LF and one for HF speaker or they are bridged amplifiers. There is nothing to do without the scheme.Since I'm particularly concerned about the mute feature (standby could be a useful option), there may be a solution without cutting the PCB lines. Instead, pin No. 10 could be pulled up by soldering the resistor about 4,7 K in parallel between pin 10 and the positive voltage. I didn't do it, because i didn't have any resistors by me.

author: mgilbert
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 04, 2020, 11:28:22 pm
content: I finally threatened Gibson enough that they sent me the modification...I just performed this modification, and it works, but I cannot say what the long term effects might be. And be forewarned - this is not easy, unless you are quite experienced with a soldering iron, and even then, you need a lot of light, a small iron with a good, round tip, tweezers, very small gauge wire, magnification, etc.You take full responsibility, if you damage your speakers...

author: AllTe
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 11, 2020, 09:39:56 am
content: Thank you! I'll do it in the next few days and let you know. :-)

author: mgilbert
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 11, 2020, 12:06:38 pm
content: Please do. And be careful. The components are small and fragile. It would be easy to damage that circuit, which would shut down the amplifier ICs. Do let me know how it goes!

author: muppetofdoom
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 14, 2020, 02:32:04 pm
content: Hi, just wondering if anyone else has tried this yet, and how did it go ?

author: computerchemist
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 25, 2020, 11:36:57 am
content: Just to be completely clear, this is a bridge between pins 1 and 5 on U5? That top wire looks like it's going to the right of the IC but I can't tell from the photo if pin 1 is connected to the same plane or not. Just want to be super sure before I create a magic smoke firework!And did you remove R88, or was that not there to start with?

author: mgilbert
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 25, 2020, 12:49:21 pm
content: That is correct. The top pin goes to one side of that capacitor. Once you get in there, you'll see the run on the circuit board between that pin and that capacitor. There is an unused pad on that run, and it's much easier to solder to it than the IC pin. Be careful, and good luck. I modified both of my KRKs several weeks ago, and they are fine. Let me know how it goes.

author: computerchemist
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 25, 2020, 05:05:36 pm
content: I just completed microsurgery on my speakers, and happy to report there is no magic smoke, and they have been on for a good half an hour now... at last I can have them on low without them cutting out... or straight there after not being used for a while.. luxury! I don't know how you threatened Gibson exactly, but whatever it was, it worked! I feel like I have new speakers!

author: mgilbert
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 25, 2020, 05:16:32 pm
content: Glad I could help! When I first got the speakers, Gibson sent me the pictures I posted here, but I lost them. Over the next year or so, I fought with them, but could not get them to send them to me again. So, finally, I threatened to go straight to the CEO if I had to, and that worked. Enjoy...

author: bdfriend
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 07, 2021, 12:28:27 am
content: Thank you so much for posting these photos! I knew it had to be possible somehow. I'm not personally bothered that they auto-standby...it's just the way they do it. If they were more sensitive to audio, it wouldn't be a problem. I use them often to listen to music quietly and I'm constantly having to turn up the volume, then turn it down again. Once every 30 minutes doesn't seem too bad, but I use them every day. I will eventually add an ESP8266 and relay to each of them so that I can power them off automatically with my own custom triggers.Thank you, thank you, thank you!

author: mgilbert
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 07, 2021, 12:45:04 am
content: You're most welcome. I had to fight hard to get those photos, and I'm happy to share them.

author: AllTe
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 07, 2021, 08:52:13 am
content: Hello,I finally did it. Thanks to MGilbert's instructions, it was easy.Many thanks to everyone!

author: TristanYoung
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 21, 2021, 11:53:01 pm
content: Perfect. Thank you. This is exactly what I was looking for. Did the mod to both of my Rokit 8 G3's, and voila - they have not gone into standby.There are times when I want them to turn off. When I'm using them is never the correct time. I'm fine with flipping the switch when I need them off. Saves more power that way.

author: kuLLe
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 22, 2021, 11:55:42 am
content: Hi everybody,That is what I was looking for before I decided to write RMASThanks for sharing this HW mod, I just did it myself and so far it is working. Some step by step instructionsImportant: You accept full responsibility and confirm that you are an electrical expert. I don't take any warranty for damaging your equipment nor warranty to any injuries. Working on devices with high voltage need the respective knowledge. If you don't have the knowledge or/and feel comfortable ask e.g. a friend or don't do it!Step 1: Unscrew the highlightes screws. Note: They are wodden self cutting screws so be careful when unscrewing and screwing them in when assembling again. Use something to lever the "plate". I used the marked corner. Be careful that the plate doesn't fall, the mounted components are heavy (transformator, cooler, etc.). The plate "sticks" a bit and if it becomes loose you want to be careful.Step 2: Do remove the plate pull itstraightfirst because if you start with an angle the components will block it from getting out. So start straight. Now turn the top side to the left as shown in the picture and try to align everything as shown in the picture. I soldered the bridge wire without removing anything else. Decide yourself if you want to follow the same apporach. Worked fine for me. It might be a good time to check if any voltages are still present (capacitors, etc..).Step 3: Solder the wire as sown in the picture either directly to the pins of the U5 component or use the pads that have connection to the pins (marked in red). For me the solder point at pin 1 worked well. The other end I soldered directly to the pin from the side. As there is enough space no issues with shorts.Please note: The part and the area including the original soldering is somehow coated. It means that you need to prepare the points where you want to solder extra carefully to have good connection. I left my soldering iron a while until the soldering was sticking well. It actually took ~10 seconds for me.. I used a quite long cable to make soldering more easy and as it is just a signal, it should be fine.Step 4: Watch your result, double check any short circuits, check if the soldering is sufficient (gently pull on the bridge cable to check the soldering) and if you are happy start to reassemble by reversing the steps described above.Hope that helps one or the other.PS: Strange feeling to remove RMAS from my autostartThanks again for all the efforts @Tristan and @mrgilbert.If you are still interested to use a software to bypass the auto standby just search for RMAS. You'll find it.Take care and stay healthy,kuLLe

author: bagpuss22
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 15, 2022, 02:46:53 am
content: Is there a schematic for the R5 G3?I have a unit that powers but has no audio and am wondering if its to do with the MUTE or the TDA's are faulty.Apparently this unit was subject to a power surge, there was a whistling sound and the unit stop outputting audio.ThanksRP

author: Robertgajdos
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 01, 2022, 08:59:52 pm
content: Thank You very much fixing is very easy i am made a custom switch standby mode.

author: Robertgajdos
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 01, 2022, 09:01:48 pm
content: picture two

author: Stickie
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 19, 2024, 12:42:30 am
content: After so many years of accepting thisissue (even when RMAS was a ray of sunshine, thanks @kuLLe), stumbling on this post a while ago was incredibly welcome news!Today I finally ordered the soldering iron together with some solder and managed - with remote help from a friend - to implement your fix.The provided pictures by @mgilbert and the guidance by @kuLLe were incredibly helpful.I wanted to thank you both for sharing this drastic QOL improvement!