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
maddog66blue OP
34 posts
 

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

oldaudiophile
343 posts
 

How old is the MC275?  I had a similar issue with a pair of Ohm speakers and a Sansui receiver that a qualified technician could not replicate in his shop.  Turned out to be the receiver.  It was 30+ years old and needed to be recapped.

itsjustme
683 posts
 

failing capacitors (electrolytic) or tubes 

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,325 posts
 

If tubes you could have a bad tube or needs to be reseated in the preamp 

if SS check all your connections with it completely Off reinstall all cables to make sure everything is in place , and check all wires going to the preamp as well as going to the Amplifier.

shxmd
9 posts
 

Sir,

Is the Vega DAC an S1?

If S1 does it have the Purer Power supply?

If no, to either or both disregard this post.

If yes to both, post and I can provide the work around.

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