Intermittent 'static/ticking' . . .

[Shek5150]

Hey there

. . . I'm hoping some of you guys might have some thoughts regarding the following:

I'm watching "Cowboys & Aliens" (via my Comcast Scientific Atlantic STB; HD) thru my Denon AVR-4311ci & the Speakers are Paradigm 100's v5; CC-690 & ADP-590 . . . no sub at this point.

In any case, the issue i'm picking up is this: an intermittent 'static like ticking' that I've noticed at certain points in the movie . . .

1) the AVR & Speakers are both less than 2 months old
2) Like I said, it's intermittant & seems to occur when a certain 'rush/burst' and a particular frequency . . . e.g., not when the space ships rumble past; but when they blast their little alien weapons . . .
3) I'm not sure if it's related to any of this equipment or my source?

Any thoughts would be appreciated . .

Thanks,

Shek5150

 

[Steve81]

Hi Shek,

I'd follow basic troubleshooting guidelines to try and isolate the problem.

Is it an issue with a specific speaker? Does volume play a role (and are you cranking it to get this problem)? Does the problem crop up with other sources/material? etc

I know from personal experience with a recent issue that these things can be frustrating to track down. I had some crackling coming out of my left surround speaker with movies at spirited but not extremely high volumes. Well, I switched the wiring on the back of my receiver and the crackling switched to the right surround, which verified that the speaker wasn't the culprit. I was starting to notice the problem with multiple films, so it wasn't just one piece of media. However, when I cranked music in 5 channel stereo mode which will really stress my receiver a lot more than a movie which doesn't really push much through the surround channels...no crackling, just clear as a bell which cleared the potential that I was over driving the receiver. I came to the conclusion that my blu ray player was the problem, and fortunately it started giving other signs that it was on its way out. After replacing it, keeping my fingers crossed, but no problems since. Moral of the story: don't assume anything. Isolate and test the individual pieces.

 

[Shek5150]

Hey Steve81,

Thanks for your reply . . . & to answer your initial questions: I seem to notice it when watching regular HD/Standard movies through my cable company's STB (Comcast). . . . Whereas I don't notice it when listening to music or watching movies through my XBox . . . and it 'doesn't seem' to be isolated to a particular speaker; but rather I noticed it across the entire front sound stage (depending upon the movie & moment). . .

So, I'm thinking it could be either the STB or the HDMI cable connecting it to my AVR; however, the HDMI cable is new from Monoprice.com. So, I'm inclined to think it's the cable box; but I suppose I ought to switch out the HDMI first before drawing that last conclusion.

If it does end up being the Comcast STB; other than returning the box for a new one . . . are there other options out there to remedy this?

Thank again for your help . .. .

Shek

 

[ImcLoud]

I had a similar noise but it turned out to be a bad speaker wire, Do you have other cable boxes in the house you can swap out to see if the problem persists?

 

[Shek5150]

ImcLoud,

Thanks for the reply . . . I do actually have another STB (DUH!) . . . I was so fixed/focused on the 'actual components' in my primary system that I completely forgot about the other STB on second floor (only difference, my main one is a DVR; but you're right it should work, duh!) . . .

I'm inclined not to think it's a cable: (1) I noticed it across the entire sound stage, intermittently occurring in each of the three speakers & (2) all my speaker cables & HDMI cables have been purchased in the last couple months (Monoprice.com) . . . though I suppose it's still possible; I'm thinking it's likely my current STB (Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD) . . .

Thanks for prompting me regarding the other STB; I actually felt stupid when I read your reply . . .I was like "Duh, it's not like I just met the STB for the first time . . . . douuuuu!!!!"

Shek

 

[ImcLoud]

ImcLoud,

Thanks for the reply . . . I do actually have another STB (DUH!) . . . I was so fixed/focused on the 'actual components' in my primary system that I completely forgot about the other STB on second floor (only difference, my main one is a DVR; but you're right it should work, duh!) . . .

I'm inclined not to think it's a cable: (1) I noticed it across the entire sound stage, intermittently occurring in each of the three speakers & (2) all my speaker cables & HDMI cables have been purchased in the last couple months (Monoprice.com) . . . though I suppose it's still possible; I'm thinking it's likely my current STB (Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD) . . .

Thanks for prompting me regarding the other STB; I actually felt stupid when I read your reply ������. . .I was like "Duh, it's not like I just met the STB for the first time . . . . douuuuu!!!!"

Shek

LOL, Keep in mind I would change your delivery wire too, so if its hdmi, change that too, because it could be the cable from the box to the avr...



PS-I didnt think it was a speaker wire, just trying to express how it could be anything from Power supply to speaker grill... I guess....