Strange ticking noise when amps were powered on from cold


Any one encountered this phenomenon? I have a pair of Aesthetix Atlas Monos. When they were powered on from cold I could hear some continuous ticking noise (10-15 beat per second) if I stick my ear right next to the speakers. VERY faint. The noise was gone in about 5 mins once the monos were warmed up. As long as the monos’s main switches were on the noise would not return regardless the monos were playing or stand by. It only happened when they were turned on from cold (e.g. after a power failure in the neighbourhood ). searched online and some people suggest that it is the capacitors charging?

 

Steps I’ve done to diagnose the problem:

1. Turn off preamp-same problem

3. Replace 6SN7 tubes

3. use other amps-no noise

4. plug them in other main sockets-same problem

5. switch off all other appliances at home (fridges, dishwasher, modem, router, down lights)-same problem

6. Disconnect all rechargeable devices (laptops, robot vacuum cleaner, power bank, electric toothbrush)-seemed to quiet the noise a bit but not to sure as it was very faint in the first place

At the moment it’s not very practical for me to take the monos to other places to try.

Your input is much appreciated. 
 

 

steven365

Showing 3 responses by oldhvymec

Is there another issue other than the cold start? It never did it before and now it does or what?

They have always done it?

They sound great? 

You just noticed it?

WHAT?

Class Ds?

50 years old?

You woke up in a cornfield and went back to the house and the stupid thing had been invaded. 

Your wife's/partner is messing with you.

Your having a start up stroke?

Your dreaming.

That's it for now.. I'll check back..

I think your just fine. The location you had it before and the fact most of us don't turn off the main switch could be all it is. It was always there just the location may have masked the sound. I have a few class Ds and A/B preamps all the same way. You hear the soft start relay charging up discharged caps..  Some units are set up to bleed off the filter caps and some stay charged up.

Regards

Have you checked the voltage with just an old analog volt meter? Maybe it's something in your house that's causing the noise. Something weird. Can you move them to a different system or speakers or location? 

The source? The preamp? Both at the same time is before the amps. At the exact same time they switch. Look before the amps..

Just thinking out loud...