Occasional Crackle in Speakers

[snmhanson]

I have some Def Tech Mythos speakers up front (sixes and a seven) which I am driving with a NAD T-973 amp. I like the speakers overall, however, when I am watching a movie I will get an occasional static-like crackle from at least one of the speakers. I haven't been able to narrow it down to a particular speaker since it only happens a few time during a sitting. It doesn't correspond to the sound being loud or anything as I have heard it when there was virtually no sound at all as well as when there was normal dialog happening in the movie. I haven't heard it during loud parts of a movie but I assume that is because the sound from the movie covers up any crackling sounds that the speakers make. Given the amp and speakers, I seriously doubt that this could be the amp clipping. What else could this be and should I be conerned?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[Wannabubble]

Are you using a power conditioner? It could be dirty power....

My parents had the same problem and after I hooked up a power conditioner, the problem went away.

Just my 2 cents

 

[highfigh]

I have some Def Tech Mythos speakers up front (sixes and a seven) which I am driving with a NAD T-973 amp. I like the speakers overall, however, when I am watching a movie I will get an occasional static-like crackle from at least one of the speakers. I haven't been able to narrow it down to a particular speaker since it only happens a few time during a sitting. It doesn't correspond to the sound being loud or anything as I have heard it when there was virtually no sound at all as well as when there was normal dialog happening in the movie. I haven't heard it during loud parts of a movie but I assume that is because the sound from the movie covers up any crackling sounds that the speakers make. Given the amp and speakers, I seriously doubt that this could be the amp clipping. What else could this be and should I be conerned?

Thanks,

Matt

How is the signal getting to the amp- digital or analog? If it's digital, make sure the source input hasn't been raised from 0dB. You may even think about reducing it a little if possible in the amp's menu- when a digital signal tries and/or succeeds in exceeding 0dB, it makes all kinds of odd sounds, crackling among them.

 

[Pyrrho]

First things first. Check your wire connections to make sure you don't have a bad connection somewhere, which can cause such problems. If your connections are all good, I would next concern myself with the receiver or source. If it happens with all sources, then I would be looking at the receiver as the possible culprit in this, assuming that all connections are good.

 

[snmhanson]

Thanks for the input. I'll be sure to double check the wiring and connections. I can't be certain but it seems to be primarily (or maybe exlusively) when watching a movie from the PS3. However, that is the primary use of that setup so maybe we simply don't use the other sources enough to notice. I'll try to investigate further. The signal is getting from the PS3 via HDMI and then of course digital between the receiver and amplifier. I'm not sure how I would check the signal level but I will look into it. Finally, I don't have a power conditioner. I have looked at them but am a bit lost as to what to get. It seems that the Panamax are popular. I think can get the M5300 for below $300 - would that be a good option?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[gus_patino]

How is the signal getting to the amp- digital or analog? If it's digital, make sure the source input hasn't been raised from 0dB. You may even think about reducing it a little if possible in the amp's menu- when a digital signal tries and/or succeeds in exceeding 0dB, it makes all kinds of odd sounds, crackling among them.

And what if the signal is analog? I'm getting the same issues. I have my laptop connected through usb to the amplifier.

 

[TLS Guy]

I have some Def Tech Mythos speakers up front (sixes and a seven) which I am driving with a NAD T-973 amp. I like the speakers overall, however, when I am watching a movie I will get an occasional static-like crackle from at least one of the speakers. I haven't been able to narrow it down to a particular speaker since it only happens a few time during a sitting. It doesn't correspond to the sound being loud or anything as I have heard it when there was virtually no sound at all as well as when there was normal dialog happening in the movie. I haven't heard it during loud parts of a movie but I assume that is because the sound from the movie covers up any crackling sounds that the speakers make. Given the amp and speakers, I seriously doubt that this could be the amp clipping. What else could this be and should I be conerned?

Thanks,

Matt

Since this is not volume related, I doubt the speakers are at fault.

My guess is that your Not Always Dependable (NAD) is the problem and is developing a fault. Most likely a capacitor or a solid state device starting to break down.

 

[markw]

And what if the signal is analog? I'm getting the same issues. I have my laptop connected through usb to the amplifier.

I wasn't aware that USB passed analog signals. I thought it was all digital.