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Bizarre issue (Audio Alchemy)

Well...my first post here is unfortunately a "cry" for help. 
I recently purchased an Audio Alchemy DDP-1 DAC/pre amp. I paired it with the PS-5 power supply upgrade.
I am using a Classe' CDP10 player with option to run the transport to the Alchemy DAC or the Classe' DAC to the Alchemy analogue stage.
The rest of my system is a Rega RP6 with an Audio Alchemy phono stage and a Krell KST 100 into Revel M-20 Performa speakers. Interconnects are all Blue Heaven II's save for a PBJ phono to DDP-1 and a Moon Black Dragon digital connect from Classe' out to the Alchemy digital in.
Everything is plugged into a PS Audio Dectet.
I am gradually upgrading everything.

Here's the problem.
The rig runs exceptionally well-- no complaints re: the sound--until after a few hours there is a 'sudden" loud fog horn sound from the speakers. I mean LOUD! Literally blasting. I can find no reference on line to a similar sound. This sound is not impacted by the Alchemy volume control and can be eliminated only by shutting the system down. It does not return upon re-start until an hour or so later.
I suspected the Krell. I replaced the Krell with a pair of powered Audio Engine 2's and after a while same problem returns.
I removed the phone pre-amp using digital source only--and problem remained
I then suspected the power supply for the Audio Alchemy and returned it to the retailer --it was replaced and sure enough after several hours of perfect running the fog horn returned!
I am now planning to contact the retailer and have the DDP-1 replaced. I also will e-mail Peter Madnick at Audio Alchemy.

Thanks to anyone hanging in to this point. I am wondering what the knowledgeable folks out here think.
Any thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated. 

I have to say--the Audio Alchemy units are terrific. Great sound (especially at the price point). I am somewhat certain the issue is somewhere with one of the three AA units--process of elimination has me down to the DDP-1.
128x128johnlnyc
johnlnyc's avatar
johnlnyc OP
59 posts
 
Received a new DDP-1 from AA. I have a replacement PS-5 so two "new" replacements now.
Also have original Audio Alchemy PPA-1 phone pre-amp.

Plugged into the Dectet after several hours of great sound from records only the awful horn like sound returned.

I am going phone only (the problem occurred while using digital AND phone sections of the DDP-1) I am removing the more complex stage of the DDP-1 for the basic line stage from the equation.

After shutting everything down I followed advice above and plugged the PS-5 direct into the wall receptacle--so far so good.

If the problem returns I am down to the Krell KST 100 (admittedly an older piece of equipment).

Only info I have gleaned thus far is the problem is not mentioned anywhere --I have Googled it to death. (blaring horn like sound) and apparently appears after the system has been up and running for a while (hours) AND after shutting the system down the problem is not present on immediate system re-start) --somewhat intermittent.

I promised to keep you up to date! ;-)

I am going to phone or e-mail Mr Madnick at Audio Alchemy and Paul Barton at PS to what these experts have to say.

Somehow, I doubt the problems are with the Audio Alchemy units.
We'll see (or hear).....

johnlnyc's avatar
johnlnyc OP
59 posts
 
I knew this was a great forum!
I just spoke with Audio Advisor and sent an e-mail off to Peter Madnick He replied almost immediately and noted someone seeing my post here had forwarded it to him (he didn't have e-mail for me).
Anyway--
Thanks to whoever alerted him to my plight!

Will keep you posted!
acs
1 posts
 
Any update on how this ended up?
johnlnyc's avatar
johnlnyc OP
59 posts
 
I did exchange e-mails with Mr Madnick. He suggested some actions (manipulating the volume control etc) while the problem was occurring. All to no avail. He was unable to think of any possible cause or solution. 

Audio Advisor was also unable "think" of anything but were extremely helpful--they replaced both units and the same problem occurred.

I continued to scan the web and could find nothing resembling my issues nor anything indicating any problems with Audio Alchemy units.

I did isolate the problem to the AA unit-- the DDP-1.
--I eliminated everything piece by piece from the system. Luckily I had my old Conrad Johnson pre-amp. I removed the PS Dectet and used wall warts direct into the wall. ( I purchased  replacement wall warts direct from Audio Alchemy).

 I even used the DDP-1 with powered speakers (the Audio Engine 2+). The problem existed with this simple "set up." Source>DDP-1>Audio Engines.
I found the problem existed with either source component--Rega RP-6/Classe' CDP10.

Again, the "problem" was extremely vexing because it occurred intermittently and after more than an hour of use.

At this point (and concerned about speaker damage--the fog horn like sound was that loud!)--I sent the second DDP-1 and PS5 back to Audio Advisor. I had to rethink my whole system upgrade.

I replaced my C-J PV10A with a new Conrad Johnson Classic II. I purchased an Bryston BDA-3 DAC and plan on adding a Bryston  or Aurender player/server.
I am using the Classe' transport into the Bryston.
I kept the Audio Alchemy PPA-1 phono stage--it is excellent! For use with the Rega. So far so good.

I have to say the most frustrating thing about all this is the Audio Alchemy DDP-1 is it is a superb sounding piece of equipment. Both the line stage and the DAC are superb IMOP. The fact that this problem was present in two different units helps eliminate the "ghost in the machine" theory.
Short of an autopsy (bench testing etc), no one seemed to have any ideas. Something in the unit was "failing" rather dramatically and always after hour(s) of perfect operation. Given the number of units produced what are the odds here?

This "adventure" has led to my wondering if the current move toward "everything in one box" thinking is perhaps 0ver-complicating things.  I am back to a rather "packed" rack--CD Player, DAC, Turntable, Phone pre/stage (Audio Alchemy), Pre-amp/line stage, amplifier. 

For example--the CJ line stage and the Bryston DAC are in "boxes" larger than the multi function units out there. Is there a trade off in play here?
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