Low volume in one channel

[Chazzy]

Listening to and enjoying my newly setup system when all of a sudden I discover my left speaker isnt playing anything. I increase the level of the Left channel on my preamp and I can hear the music but very very low.

I swapped speaker positions and the problem stayed in the Left channel.

Powered everything down, and check all interconnects. Turned everything back on and same issue.

I was moving my small throw rug around when I was playing but never heard a pop or anything. Wondering if it was a static electricty issue but dont think so.

The other thing I was doing was adjusting the anti-skate on my turntable. I put it back to its original position and still nothing.

Setup: Cary V12r, Cary slp98p, Mapleshade moded Stanton St150 turntable, Magnepan 1.6.

 

[ImcLoud]

I would swap the interconnects, so the left is right and the right is left see where the problem ends up... change the rcas around

 

[slipperybidness]

Start with the info from IMC.

Next question, is this problem only on the turntable? If yes, then double check all those little wires that connect the cartridge to the electronics.

 

[avengineer]

Here's a bit of trouble shooting to try (you've done some of it):


Swap speakers. Does the problem move?


Yes: speaker problem
No: go to the next step


Put the speakers back to ordinal connections.


Swap the speaker wires at the output of the power amp. Does the problem move?


No: you have a speaker wire or speaker connection issue
Yes: next step


Put the speaker wires back to normal.


Swap the input connections at the power amp (turn it off first!)


Does the problem move?


No: you have a power amp problem
Yes: next step


Put the input connections at the power amp back to normal (power off first!)
Swap the connections at the preamp output. Does the problem move?


No: You have problem with the interconnect cable between the preamp and power amp
Yes: next step


Put the preamp output connections back to normal.
Swap the input connections at the preamp from your source (turntable). Turn the volume down first! Does the problem move?


No: you may have a preamp problem (see next step)
Yes: you have a problem with your source, perhaps cartridge head shell connections, or other connections at the turntable.


If the problem didn't move when you swapped the source, try a different source and see if the problem still exists. Also tray exercising all switches and controls on the preamp. If nothing helps, you may need preamp service.

 

[Chazzy]

Sounds good..I will give it a try.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[ImcLoud]

great let us know, you want to isolate the problem with the process of elimination method, but swapping speakers and cables from L to R you eliminate them as a source of the problem, then eliminate that amplifier by swapping channels, ect

I would also try unplugging and replugging all the tubes in the same spot, sonce you know which is the problem your tube amp or tube pre, then you can swap the tubes around to see which if any are the issue, I hope its not a cap or something internal... good luck..

 

[slipperybidness]

great let us know, you want to isolate the problem with the process of elimination method, but swapping speakers and cables from L to R you eliminate them as a source of the problem, then eliminate that amplifier by swapping channels, ect

I would also try unplugging and replugging all the tubes in the same spot, sonce you know which is the problem your tube amp or tube pre, then you can swap the tubes around to see which if any are the issue, I hope its not a cap or something internal... good luck..

Good eye, I didn't even catch the tube gear. That can of course make it tougher to troubleshoot, as now we could be looking at bad tubes in the equation too.

Like you said, process of elimination.....

 

[Chazzy]

Problem solved...

1. Swapped speakers: Still no sound in Left Channel.

2. Swapped speaker cables: Still no sound in Left Channel.

3. Swapped Left and Right interconnects from Turntable to Pre Amp: Ah!!!... Now no sound in Right Channel.

4. For giggles, swapped interconnects between Turntable and Pre Amp with interconnects between Pre Amp and Amp: Sound in BOTH speakers. Huh!??!

5. Connected everything back to original positions: No sound in Left Channel.

6. Swapped interconnects between Left and Right Channel: No Sound in Right Channel.

7. Replaced interconnects between Turntable and Pre Amp. Good sound in both speakers.

8. Let play for several hours and everything is good.

Thanks again for the help!

 

[ImcLoud]

Your welcome, process of elimination is always the best way to isolate a problem with 1 channel.. Glad to hear it was just a cable...

 

[Chazzy]

and they were brand new cables...Im glad it was just a cable too...

 

[slipperybidness]

Your welcome, process of elimination is always the best way to isolate a problem with 1 channel.. Glad to hear it was just a cable...

Process of elimination is always the best way to isolate any problem. Trouble-shooting 101.

For very high level trouble-shooting on very complex problems, one technique is to construct an "IS / IS Not" chart to help narrow down where to focus the efforts.

 

[slipperybidness]

and they were brand new cables...Im glad it was just a cable too...

Yup, it happens. I've pulled $2000 parts our of a box to find them DOA

8/10 time the easy fix is THE fix, it's those 2/10 that make you pull your hair out.

 

[ImcLoud]

Process of elimination is always the best way to isolate any problem. Trouble-shooting 101.

For very high level trouble-shooting on very complex problems, one technique is to construct an "IS / IS Not" chart to help narrow down where to focus the efforts.

Yup, deductive reasoning at its best...