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  3. 1146406349

What's snapping?

I have been getting this "snapping" sound through all speakers from time to time and last night it was driving me crazy. It was happening every couple of minutes. It sounds like a static charge releasing itself, if that makes any sence. It does it on all sources. Right now I am using a Harmon Kardon AVR7200 as a preamp for a Mcintosh MC352. It was doing it before the Mcintosh arrived so that can be ruled out. I think it must be the HK or the Monster 2100 powerbar. Is it possible it could be a bad cable or dirty connection even though it happens on all sources?
I am finding it difficult to narrow down because it doesn't do it all the time. Today the system has been on for almost 2 hours and it is fine.
Any ideas ???

Thanks
nuguy
11 responses Add your response
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
It's hard to say with certainty, but the "snapping" sound you are experiencing may be a faulty capacitor discharging. I had a similar problem once with a preamp.
porziob
316 posts
 
If it`s in both spkrs.,I`d rule out a bad cable or dirty connection.
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
Could you be overdriving your speakers? I once hooked my VMPS bookshelfs up to my Krell Ksa-250 and they did the same thing (snapping sound) at high volume levels.

Dave
dlstephenson
121 posts
 
You dont say if your using a power conditioner or not. It could be that you have something on your incomming voltage line like a switching power supply. Make a note of when it happens most and try to narrow the environment, time, weather, traffic if in a apartment, and perhaps whats happening around your area, like what is on in the house, what are you using that might tap into the electrical.

It might sound like alot but I traced a snap down to a lighting fixture that had a bad ballast.
nuguy OP
195 posts
 
Sogood51, It does it at very low volumes as well.
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
Ok...that rules that out.

Dave
nuguy OP
195 posts
 
Thanks so far guys, I sure hope it's not equipment related. The Monster power bar is a stage 2 power conditioner.
Now that I think about it, it does seem to happen mostly at night. It is strange because both my wife and I swear we've only heard it on movies, until last nights hockey game. All along I figured it was the DVD player.
I'm not worried about any damage occuring, so I will have to live with the sporatic annoyance. That is a great idea Dlstephenson, you've given me a couple of ideas I must further investigate.

I'll keep you posted.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
It's not static if it happens with all sources (about 80% sure on that one) and not cabling (I agree w/ Porziob) then I'd guess RFI -- probably not a faulty ballast however (although could be, but that's not the kind of RFI they produce.)

I'd guess some kind of device with an arcing relay, like a fridge or airconditioner compressor, or an electonic ignition device like found in a gas water heater, furnace, or stove, IMO.
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
I suggest removing the Monster power bar from the system temporarily to eliminate it from the list of suspects if that's possible.
tweakmenow
35 posts
 
My system was doing the exact same thing, and it was driving me crazy!!!!! I ran an extra dedicated line to a new piece of equipment, and that was doing it. I pluged this new piece into the single dedicated line (with it's own ground) and no more snapping. My heart goes out to you on this one, as it is quite maddening...
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
one of my quad63s is "crackling" when all other electronics are off. i suspect dust, otherwise, it may indicate that i will have to change a panel, or have to bring it in for repair.

electrostatics can be a nuisance at times.

by the way this crackling sound is intermittent.
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