Help Needed - I Think It's My EQ?

[Alonzo Mosley]

Have fairly new bookshelf speakers, slightly newer amplifier, slightly older equalizer - all less than two years. (Had to replace all my Jimmy Carter era stuff at once...)

Was listening to a CD that had a funky bass line in it the other day and noticed some "static" sounds out of the right channel - it sounded like a really old crackly record popping. But this was a CD... And it was in time with the beat. Was listening to "Instant Karma" and "Cold Turkey" today and the drums were causing the same issue. I thought, the speaker can't be blown?

I think it's the EQ:

• It doesn't matter where my volume is set
• If I disconnect the LEFT channel, the sound (which is only in the RIGHT channel) goes away
  • This is any left channel in the chain - the OUT of the CD, the IN to the EQ, the OUT of the EQ, the IN to the amplifier
• If I disconnect the RIGHT channel (again, doesn't matter which in or out), the interference (crackly sound) CONTINUED. There was no music, naturally (the source was disconnected), just the crackly sound - in time with where the beat should be
• If I bypass the EQ (with the switch on the EQ), I don't notice the sound
• If I move the CD player into another input, the same issues occur

I haven't been able to replicate with the turntable - but there could be other reasons for that.

I don't have another CD player or EQ player to plug in and get more Is-Nots... I guess I could get a FLAC file of "Cold Turkey" and compare?

It's bullet points three and four that lead me to believe it's some kind of cross-contamination inside the EQ, but that's the extent of my knowledge.

Anyone have any thoughts? Is this repairable? Or am I better off just being another EQ?

Thanks!

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

Not hard to figure out. Connect the CD player straight to the amp. If there is no problem, then the EQ is the issue.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Mark E. Long]

Try changing out your cables first and what kind of EQ and how is it in the chain ?

 

[mazersteven]

Why use an EQ anyway?

 

[Mark E. Long]

If it’s an older set up I can see the use if it’s a quality unit . I’ve used good eq’s for years in my systems . With good test material and a good meter or measuring system you can get just as good results .for musical content I use the through setting and engage the eq’s for that , or just bypass them and use the units built in PEQ either way sound quality will not diminish if applied properly .

 

[Alonzo Mosley]

Yeah, sorry, meant to include that I tried it without the EQ and had similar results to the bypass. I did try new cables, no difference. The new amp doesn't have a Tape Monitor so it's CD=>EQ=>Amp.

I kinda assumed that the signal strength Pre- and Post- EQ might hurt the credibility of the difference.

Why an EQ? Because every record, every CD is produced so differently... I've always had one! (And though I grew up a Giants fan from the Scott Brunner years through Ray Handley and Eli... Now that I'm in the PNW, I have to say I was not that pleased on Sunday). And I firmly believe that even a decent EQ improves the sound of any system.

Here's some more fun facts:

• Same song on LP - no "defect"
  Same song on FLAC - through same inputs as CD player - no "defect"
• CD player plugged into EQ, but the amplifier has "CD Player" selected (with nothing plugged into amp's CD inputs), no music but the crackly interference, on the beat, pops through the right speaker
  (ditto any unused input into the amp)

So, yeah, it looks like it's EQ. But I can't explain why it's CD only and not all other digital inputs - even through the same ports and cables.

(This is the EQ. Not a great one, but my shopping options were limited.I miss J & R.... Although I think I bought the original at 47th Street Photo in 1981....)

 

[Mark E. Long]

Yeah, sorry, meant to include that I tried it without the EQ and had similar results to the bypass. I did try new cables, no difference. The new amp doesn't have a Tape Monitor so it's CD=>EQ=>Amp.

I kinda assumed that the signal strength Pre- and Post- EQ might hurt the credibility of the difference.

Why an EQ? Because every record, every CD is produced so differently... I've always had one! (And though I grew up a Giants fan from the Scott Brunner years through Ray Handley and Eli... Now that I'm in the PNW, I have to say I was not that pleased on Sunday). And I firmly believe that even a decent EQ improves the sound of any system.

Here's some more fun facts:

• Same song on LP - no "defect"
  Same song on FLAC - through same inputs as CD player - no "defect"
• CD player plugged into EQ, but the amplifier has "CD Player" selected (with nothing plugged into amp's CD inputs), no music but the crackly interference, on the beat, pops through the right speaker
  (ditto any unused input into the amp)

So, yeah, it looks like it's EQ. But I can't explain why it's CD only and not all other digital inputs - even through the same ports and cables.

(This is the EQ. Not a great one, but my shopping options were limited.I miss J & R.... Although I think I bought the original at 47th Street Photo in 1981....)

Lol I’ve bought a lot of stuff from j & r . I would recommend an ART eq they come with balanced or unbalanced inputs and there good . They are the same guys that started MXR way back in the day . I find these integrate very well with home gear I use the EQ 355 and the EQ 351 all 31 band . Yea the way your hooked up is a no go . What are you using as pre amp before the amp ?

 

[Alonzo Mosley]

That's it.

I actually looked at the ART, but I'm running straight from three components: Turntable, CD, and Bluetooth convertor (Would love the cassette deck wired in, but I have, like, six cassettes, so...) and it only had two unbalanced inputs.

So many EQs on the market seem to have only XLR inputs...!

 

[NINaudio]

So, yeah, it looks like it's EQ. But I can't explain why it's CD only and not all other digital inputs - even through the same ports and cables.

(This is the EQ. Not a great one, but my shopping options were limited.I miss J & R.... Although I think I bought the original at 47th Street Photo in 1981....)

Welp, there's your problem. I honestly don't understand how Pyle is still in business when almost everything they make IS a pile....

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

So, yeah, it looks like it's EQ. But I can't explain why it's CD only and not all other digital inputs - even through the same ports and cables.

Probalby because the signal from the CDs is hotter than the other sources. Apparently the Pyle has limited headroom, so it’s clipping.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[highfigh]

List all equipment in the system and post a photo of the equalizer's settings.

The comment about disconnecting the left channel and ending the sound from the right is concerning.

 

[Mark E. Long]

That's it.

I actually looked at the ART, but I'm running straight from three components: Turntable, CD, and Bluetooth convertor (Would love the cassette deck wired in, but I have, like, six cassettes, so...) and it only had two unbalanced inputs.

So many EQs on the market seem to have only XLR inputs...!

You definitely need a preamp for all that that’s a really hot signal to go straight to an amp if I understand your setup correctly perhaps a photo of your setup would be more helpful to us here . Iam not real clear how your controlling this .

 

[Alonzo Mosley]

I can post a photo later but it's pretty much as described:
CD Player=>EQ=>Yamaha R-N303 Amplifier=>Speakers
TT=>EQ=>Amplifier=>Speakers
(Pro-Ject Carbon w/ built-in pre-amp, grounded to the amp)

About 95 percent of the time I'm spinning vinyl, so it's a manageable concern.

Also, it's a very recent problem. Never noticed before last week.

And to clarify further, if I disconnect the left, I still hear the right channel's music through the left. But the "interference"/clipping sound in the right channel also goes away.

(I was going to say I've never used a pre-amp but my previous setup was CD=>Amplifier, Amplifier<=>EQ via Tape Monitor, Amplifier=>Speakers. )

 

[Mark E. Long]

I can post a photo later but it's pretty much as described:
CD Player=>EQ=>Yamaha R-N303 Amplifier=>Speakers
TT=>EQ=>Amplifier=>Speakers
(Pro-Ject Carbon w/ built-in pre-amp, grounded to the amp)

About 95 percent of the time I'm spinning vinyl, so it's a manageable concern.

Also, it's a very recent problem. Never noticed before last week.

And to clarify further, if I disconnect the left, I still hear the right channel's music through the left. But the "interference"/clipping sound in the right channel also goes away.

(I was going to say I've never used a pre-amp but my previous setup was CD=>Amplifier, Amplifier<=>EQ via Tape Monitor, Amplifier=>Speakers. )

Take the eq clear out of the setup and what do you here ? I see this has a couple in and outs 1 and 2 on the back although it doesn’t have tape monitors so to say try useing the eq just hooked to that alone no 2 it may work as a tape monitor loop since it has in and out on that side and just hook up the cd in the named cd jacks .

 

[Alonzo Mosley]

Take the eq clear out of the setup and what do you here ? I see this has a couple in and outs 1 and 2 on the back although it doesn’t have tape monitors so to say try useing the eq just hooked to that alone no 2 it may work as a tape monitor loop since it has in and out on that side and just hook up the cd in the named cd jacks .

I'm not following your recommendation.

Specifically, the EQ goes into Line 2 on the Yamaha.

 

[Mark E. Long]

I'm not following your recommendation.

Specifically, the EQ goes into Line 2 on the Yamaha.

Iam saying the in and out jacks on your Yamaha I think it’s input 2 may work like a tape monitor loop as your other inputs lack an in and out worth a try . What does the manual say .

 

[Alonzo Mosley]

The manual doesn't specify, but does show a CD-Recorder hooked to Line 2 as a loop. My initial reluctance was due to the lack of a "monitor" function.

Will give it a try and report back.


--
Apropos of nothing, I keep whitelisting notifications from this site, and they still go to my spam...

 

[Mark E. Long]

The manual doesn't specify, but does show a CD-Recorder hooked to Line 2 as a loop. My initial reluctance was due to the lack of a "monitor" function.

Will give it a try and report back.


--
Apropos of nothing, I keep whitelisting notifications from this site, and they still go to my spam...

It may work as one that way I can’t find your manual online but I’d try it .