Help - static noise in speakers

Nice !  Some tubes are more immune to RFI than others.  Some are intolerant and act like an antenna when not shielded or RFI is too close.  

Any noise due to external factors would show up on both channels, my best guess of OP issue is failing cap, resistor, cold solder, either diy repair or return to manufacturer, let them diagnose, this all speculation at this point.

Not really.

I imagine the internet cable the OP moved was on the same side of the amp’s  connected speaker. Just a guess the static sound started recently when the OP moved the internet cable in close proximity to that side of the amp.

Quick check, move the internet cable back in the same spot as before producing the static sound. Static sound back again? Move the cable away again. Static sound gone? The OP just saved himself a bunch of money thanks to @oddiofyl .

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Any noise due to external factors would show up on both channels, my best guess of OP issue is failing cap, resistor, cold solder, either diy repair or return to manufacturer, let them diagnose, this all speculation at this point.

oddiofyl - you are correct as well.  I had no idea, but yes - when I moved the ethernet cable farther away from the amp, the noise stopped.  

Thanks to everyone who responded.  After all the troubleshooting, it was the simplest fix - move the ethernet farther from the amp.

faustuss - you are correct.  The Red River box was right next to the other one and they look almost identical.  My speaker wires are AQ Rocket 44

@mojo771 "Audioquest Red River" are these your speaker cables? I can't find any reference to that being a line of Audioquest speaker cable, interconnect yes.  Its much more helpful if you accurately include the brand and model of the equipment, you're using to help you troubleshoot an issue. Otherwise, most comments are relying mostly on conjecture.

I had a weird static noise coming through my speakers and discovered two things contributing to noise.  Ethernet  cabling near speaker wires and I also had to move e my ethernet switch away from my tube preamp.   Amp is tube.  

In my last house I had a Glade Plug In air freshener causing noise.   Whenever it released its scent I got a crackling noise through speakers.  Wasn't even on the same circuit.  Unplug any stuff like that while troubleshooting 

IMO, it's not the tubes. If it was the tubes, switching the tubes from one channel to the other the static would have followed the bad tube.

I also just plugged in headphones and I don't hear the static.

IMO, that says the preamp section is ok. That would include the tubes. The static is in the solid state amplifier section.

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I tried unplugging the amp for about 5 minutes but that didn't fix it.  

I also just plugged in headphones and I don't hear the static. So does that mean it may not be the tubes, but maybe the speaker out connection?

Thanks for all the ideas everyone.

The static noise could be caused by a cold solder joint/connection. Or possibly a poor internal wiring connector connection.

I did a quick look through the owner manual of the amp.... That amp is basically controlled by a computer.

May not do a thing, but did you try unplugging the amp from the wall outlet for a few minutes then plug it back into the wall outlet? 

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I did try moving the tubes to the other side, and even tried 2 new, extra tubes that I had on hand - no improvement.

So I guess I will wait for McIntosh to respond (even thought it took them weeks to respond the last time I had an issue)

I'd not continue to use the amp, continuing static after swapping everything means this internal issue. You may end up in catastrophic failure if situation left unresolved, I know this from direct experience.

yogiboy said:   04-18-2025 at 03:51pm

Swap the left and right tubes and see if the static moves to the other speaker! If it does you have a bad tube!

Did you try swapping the left and right channel tubes?

So now, I've removed and reinstalled the tubes several times with no improvement.  All the tubes are lit up green.

I also tried a different speaker cable with no improvement.  

I hate to buy all new tubes, but it seems that the problem is in the McIntosh amp

Sorry to hear. You also switched both cables (both ends)... I assume. It's not likely to be the cable. But worth verifying 

yogiboy and jea48, thanks.  I really thought those ideas would work, but they didn't.  I can try again to clean them, but the static stayed on the right speaker.  

I'm still waiting for McIntosh and Audio Advice to respond to my support requests.

Could just be dirty signal tube pin to tube socket connections. Pull and reinsert signal tube(s) in tube socket a few times. The friction should clean the connections.

Swap the left and right tubes and see if the static moves to the other speaker! If it does you have a bad tube!