2. speakers
  3. 1197293451

Distortion from speakers - amp?

Friends, I have a new amp (Halcro MC20) and preamp (Atma sphere R13) that I have mated to my beloved Newform Research speakers. My previous set up was a Pass Aleph 5 and Blue Circle 21 preamp. While the new configuration sounds wonderful, I am hearing very audible distortion, greater with one channel. With the ribbons, it is a buzzing sound, and in the bass drivers like a feedback hum. Again, when I change the channel cable connections between the pre and amp, the sound changes sides as well. It does not seem to be dependent on volume setting. Turning it up does not increase the distortion. The preamp is stone quite but the amp has a bit of a buzz when it is on. Ideas? Thanks much.
deliberate1

Showing 4 responses by deliberate1

deliberate1 OP
33 posts
 
"What's an Atma-Sphere R13?? You'd think I should ought to know that one but I don't."

Shhhh. You of all people should know that it is a secret version of the MP-3 for people who can not remember what the hell they have.
deliberate1 OP
33 posts
 
Plato,
Thanks for your insight. The cables are Anticable balanced IC's. Not sure if they are shielded or not (do not even know what that mean to be honest). Is there a way to replicate the shielded function? Since they are XLR ends, they can not be reversed. I will try moving the AC cords as far away from the interconnects as well. Thanks again.
deliberate1 OP
33 posts
 
Atmasphere, thanks for the suggestion. I will give that a go. I have some other tubes which I have can roll as well. Frankly, I do not think that it is the amp or your baby. I hooked up my old componants (Pass Aleph 5/ Blue Circle 21)to the speakers and heard similar distortion - just less pronounced perhpas because less juice. Is it possible that it is the power supply or are the speakers the source?
By the way, the R13 thing is really code for all of us owners who would have a hard time explaining to our wives how much we paid for that "MP-3" player.
deliberate1 OP
33 posts
 
Atmasphere, since the distortion happens with both amp/pre configurations, could the problem be with the speakers - or perhaps the power supply. I am listening to this in a new location and I am not using any sort of power treatment. Thanks for your continued interest.
More to discover