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Problems

I just moved, and despite packing all my own gear, I have no idea how rough the movers were with it. Since arriving, some issue have cropped up:
1). Using the Frankenstein monoblock amps, after about 20-30 minutes of use, a loud crackling emits from the right speaker. This comes and goes intermittently, and won't stop until everything is powered down. I switched up outlets, and it remains the same. Checked all the connections- all seem secure. Suppose I should swap out the IC's and see if the noise comes from the other side or the same side, right?
2). I tried using the MastersounD amp. After about 10 minutes, the left channel starts cutting in and out. Switched IC inputs, and the problem stays on same side.
3). I excluded the EAR preamp from the circuit, using the MastersounD as an integrated amp. Left side still cuts in and out.
4). The only common denominator here is using the Ayon CD5 as a source. Have a hard time believing there's a bad tube in there- there are less than 1000 hours on those tubes.

I have a hard time believing there are problems in more than one component. That would be very unusual.

Any thoughts or suggestions to try and narrow this down? I do have a turntable I could use as the source and see what happens as well.

Very frustrated.....
afc
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
It has to be the Ayon from what I see. Tubes go bad all the time expecially if banged around. Try the turntable and report back.

sorry to hear,

good luck
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uru975
684 posts
 
Agree with Philjolet, most likely the tubes have you tried changing them? This would help verify what seems most likely.

Did you take the tubes out prior to shipping? If not it is usually the best advice for the future.
afc OP
141 posts
 
thanks, fellas. My next step was to use the TT as a source and see what happens. But to do that, I have to put the EAR back in the circuit for the phono section. Worth a shot.

One riddle- why, if it was the Ayon, would one channel go silent with the MastersounD and the opposite channel buzz with the Frankensteins?

Wouldn't they both buzz or go silent?

I'm also wondering if the power supply up here is incredibly dirty. Not only do we get frequent surges with flickering lights, but there's a slight buzz coming from the Monster surge protector unit I use. Now, neither the amplifiers or the EAR is plugged into the Monster unit. The Franks and the EAR run through a BPT line conditioner, which runs into the wall. The Ayon runs through the Monster unit. The MastersounD runs right through a wall outlet.

If something is wrong with the MastersounD, at least I know it's not the pre-tubes, since the same channel cuts out using it as an integrated or as a direct power amp.

Might just replace all the signal tubes on all the amps if the TT trick fails.

This is the one drawback about an all tube system- lots of variables in trying to pinpoint a problem.
afc OP
141 posts
 
Uru975- all tubes from the amplifiers were removed and packed separately prior to the move. Tubes were left in the Ayon and EAR units, and both were securely packed in styrofoam stays and triple boxes.
tpreaves's avatar
tpreaves
2,682 posts
 
Always remove tubes before shipping or transporting,no matter how well the unit is packed.I learned this lesson the hard way!!!
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