"popping" when moving to balanced cables on Amp

I disconnected the RCA first-thing so that I only had the balanced connected. The balanced cables are brand new.

The question is what is normally the cause of this type of "popping" when you turn off an amplifier. I always recall that my audio system had some type of minor "pop" when turning it off, but this is much, much louder.

Thanks for the prompt responses!

What I'm going to try is this:

1) I have the Antem pre AVM-20 and the 2-Channel MCA-20 amp set with triggers. So when I power the AVM 20 pre down it also turns off the MCA-20. I will try turning the amp off first manually and see what that does and then the pre first, etc.

2) I did NOT re-balance my speaker setup since I put in the balanced cables. So I neglected to do that obvious part. If I recall I think I had my setup at a +2 when I did the calibration last on the fronts with the RCA connectors.

3) I got the cables direct from the manufacturer online (so no physical store for me to try out). I will contact them if #1 and #2 don't work.

4) I'm also going to contact Anthem directly re: the capacitor leak that John mentioned.

I've always assumed that "popping" was normal to some degree; however, when I was using my receiver--7.1 Marantz--I never had the degree that I've gotten since moving to separates.

So I'm wondering if there is a trick to separates that a receiver takes care of.

Thanks for the quick feedback.

Ted

Thanks john. I just got back from a trip so assuming I can stay awake I will try it out tonight :-)

Ok, now I'm perplexed.

1) I recalibrated all my speakers and took down the L and R about 6 decibels so that they are now at "THX reference" with the balanced connections.

2) I tested a series of sequences with power on and power off and took my amp off the trigger.

3) The speaker "popping" and loud "booming" on startup and shutdown happens when the anthem AVM-20 PRE-AMP is engaged or turned off!!!

4) Turning off the unit with volume down or in mute makes no difference (no surprise)

5) I think that the VOLUME of the boom/pop is lower since I recalibrated the speakers

I'm perplexed?!?!? At this point I'm wondering if the issue is the balanced cables at all or from the Pre-amp and if from the pre-amp why that would be?!!

Any additional thoughts?

ok if I power the amp up last and turn it off first then that solves all popping issues. In other words if there is power to the speakers and I turn the preamp on then that is when I get the popping.

So I would assume that is the issue.

I really want to automate the on off process with a single command. The Anthem amp has an auto-on feature that solves the on sequence but not the power down. Do you all with separates manually turn on your equipment one piece at a time or do you use triggers or what??

I have a Panamax power conditioner that does delayed startup and shutdown but I can't use it with the anthem gear. It blows the fuse because the anthem products have their own internal power conditioners that do not like any others in the chain.

Thanks a ton for all the advice. I think I'm getting closer!!!

Ted