2. amps-preamps
  3. 1135869688

Crackling Noise ...driving me nuts

I get a crackling noise from my right speaker and it's really harsh also I can hear a slight crackling noise when turning up the volume from both the Front L + R speaker. Finally if all components are on and I turn off the DVD player or my Pre/pro the speakers make a loud buzz noise .

The change I made to my system which resulted in this issue was addition of a McIntosh MSD4 processor. If I remove the processor from the equation and use a HT receiver with my other components the issue goes away.

Has anyone had a similar issue ? Is there something wrong with the pre/pro or is this a ground loop .or interconnect issue. My system details are listed below

McIntosh Pre/Pro MSD4
McIntosh MC 7200 (L + R / Kef XQ5)
B&K ST 140 (L + R Surround / Monitor Audio)
B&K ST 125 Powering the Center Channel (Kef XQ 2C)
britrover

Showing 1 response by violaguy

violaguy
21 posts
 
Does it make any difference if the processor is on or off?

I've had a similar problem on two different occasions. Both times it had to do with digital gear that I had added to my system. I discovered that when the offending components (both were DAT machines) were turned off when I wasn't using them, I would get crackling sounds (as if a tweeter were damaged). If I left them on all the time, the problem would disappear. I ended up having a simple switchbox made which allowed me to disconnect the DAT completely from the system when it was turned off.

Hope this helps...
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