HT-DB120 - PROTECTION due to shorted output stage

It is possible that the amplifier had encountered a fault with a higher current drain which had triggered it to a protection fault condition. The fault can be with your output drivers. Please check for short on the outputs fitted for both the channels. Use a meter after disconnecting to check for short in the drivers. Disconnect the positive and negative voltages to the output and see if the protect changes. Even a fault in the preamp stages that drives in high current into the output can shut the Amplifier. Sometimes this can be a noise which can be a HUM or HISS before the protect works. Faulty capacitors in these circuits also can cause similar issues and needs close observation.You need to confirm and replace the specific stages or outputs. If not there can be issues in the mother board. Maybe the protect circuit by itself is shutting off due to a faulty bias or there is a leak in any voltage/current sensing circuit. Also disconnect the speakers and test, if the amplifier comes out of the protect mode then check for short on the speakers.

It's a known issue with samsung Home Cinemas. It has to do with the cooling of the device and other related issues. One of the bellow could solve the problems.
First thing is to reset the device:#1 - Make sure there's on dvds in the system
#2 - Put it on stand by
#3 - Hold down the STOP button on the UNIT
#4 - HOLD until you see the stand-by light flash
#6 - This has now reset the system

If that doesn't work try to do a firmware upgrade http://www.samsung.com/in/support/detail/supportPrdDetail.do?menu=SP01&prd_ia_cd=&prd_mdl_cd=&prd_mdl_name=HT-X30

Assuming you did NOT modify the speaker complement...

Generally speaking, an amp protects itself from heat, shorts and overloads by refusing to turn on or stay on.

Overloads can be from excessive periods of high output or marginally low impedance loading by the speakers; and shorts would be wiring issues or a speaker blowing up.

You should be able to feel if it's hot. WHY is it overheating? Make sure it has sufficient ventilation on all sides and that vent holes are not blocked by dust balls. Ensure the fan (if equipped) is running as designed (some only operate on demand). Clean dust and debris from it.

If the amp comes back on after cooling, you're lucky. They only have so many self-protection cycles in their lives so continuously resetting or cycling their power without addressing the cause can do more harm than good.

If it protects immediately on a cool power up you should disconnect the speaker connections and try it 'naked'. If it comes up then diagnose which lead(s) are shorted. If it does not come up the problem is internal and should be left to an experienced and competent hands-on tech.

Check for loose speaker connections as a root cause for intermittent shutdown.

A protection circuit has cut in - possibly due to a fault in the line output stage (flyback transformer could be short-circuit and horizontal output transistor could also be shorted).

Assuming the power supply/HT rail is all OK, replace the above parts, touch up any suspect solder joints, check and replace any capacitors (electrolytic and the tuning caps in the collector of the horizontal transistor - always replace these caps (rated at around 2kV - 6kV) whenever you replace the flyback)

The output was shorted and probably damaged the output stage of the amp. It's a service shop repair unless you know electronics and can get parts for it....

i have the same problem. was playing a cd for my son for about 20 mins. CD started skipping then froze up and shut off. When trying to power on the word "PROTECTION" comes on then shuts right off. Is there any solution for this problem? My husband bought this when it first came out over 6 years ago at $400. I bearly even use it. It's a waste to throw away. Please someone help. Thanks.

See my post "HT-DB120 - PROTECTION due to shorted output stage "

Try disconnecting the speakers one at a time. You may have a shorted speaker. If all are disconnected and it still does not come on, then, you probably have a shorted output.

are all the speakers good?? discont all the speakers and see if all the lites come on. Then shut off and start to connect one at a time untill the unit shuts down and then you know you have a shorted speaker. If the same thing happens you probably have a power supply or an output stage falure and this should be serviced by someone who is quilified to work on stereos

See my post "HT-DB120 - PROTECTION due to shorted output stage "