2. amps-preamps
  3. 194162-10279

Weird crackling from speakers when preamp connected

I've got an MC275 hooked up to a VTL 2.5 preamp, when I reconnected it after some maintenance, whenever I turn the preamp on then the amp, once they both warm up, the crackling starts.

I hooked up the amp to my DAC and had no issues with crackling, swapped tubes, interconnects and power cord, different inputs/outputs, same crackling issue when using preamp but no issue when connected to the DAC as a preamp.

Sonus Faber Olymica !, MC275 Amp, VTL 2.5 preamp, Auralic Vega DAC, nordost interconnects/speaker cables, panamax power conditioner.

My last step is to see if I can either borrow a tube preamp or buy a cheap one to test it.

Any suggestions are welcome as I'm running out of ideas.

 

maddog66blue

Showing 6 responses by maddog66blue

maddog66blue OP
34 posts
 

I had it looked at by a professional, they ran tests & checked the tubes, no issues when they had it hooked up and couldn't reproduce the issue. I haven't tried to clean the terminals, but may give that a shot.

 

maddog66blue OP
34 posts
 

I've swapped tubes & confirmed they're good.

 

maddog66blue OP
34 posts
 

The service person and I talked extensively about the preamp, he ran tests on the device, tested tubes, no parts were replaced. They also hooked it up to a system and couldn't reproduce the issue.

Again it doesn't happen when I run my DAC directly to the amp, only when the pre is in the chain.

 

maddog66blue OP
34 posts
 

@gs5556 I’m using only RCA connections and not XLR. I’ll try your suggestions and have them look again. 

maddog66blue OP
34 posts
 

@shxmd

The DAC isn't an S1, nor does it have the Purer PS, that said what would be the workaround, I'm willing to give it a shot.

 

maddog66blue OP
34 posts
 

@classic8 I'll take your suggestion. I'm surprised they didn't find anything wrong with it, but it's like taking your car to the mechanic.

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