Crackle In The System

[Ninanina]

For the last few days I've had a problem with my system making a crackle through the speakers

I have done the following to try to isolate it:

Removed the Theta Timebase Linque Conditioner from the system with no difference to the crackle
Removed the Dac from the system with no difference to the crackle
Changed the CD from the Pioneer 717 to the PD-S505 Precision with no difference to the crackle

This only left the mains supply, the amp, the speakers or the interconnects at fault

I next changed the output valves to my spare set of EL84's and I this got rid of the crackle.... However I then swapped back to the original EL84's and again there is now no crackle... now I'm confused as I cannot reproduce the crackle :scratch:

[walpurgis]

Loosely seated valve?

[Ninanina]

Loosely seated valve?

I thought about that Geoff, but I'm not convinced as when I removed the valves they were all seated nice and tight... odd very odd...

[struth]

possible poor connections on one of the valves, or maybe a dodgy valve. if it comes back try tapping the valve with a pencil or flick gently with your nail... try each one til you find culprit. could even be a poor base contact

[Ali Tait]

Aye would guess so.

[Ninanina]

And some time ago I treated it to some Deoxit

[Ninanina]

I am currently running a little Trends T amp that I just purchased from Jeff (rubber duck) and it is quite an eye opener... I would consider it about 80% of the Oto... an amazing little rascal.. :eek:

http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ninanina2/thumb_IMG_0719_1024.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ninanina2/media/thumb_IMG_0719_1024.jpg.html)

[Ninanina]

Any further thoughts on my crackle would be very much appreciated, it's a nightmare that I can't replicate the problem at the moment then I'd know what was causing it... :doh:

[Audio Al]

Bev
I would suggest a valve amp guru has a look at your amp , not much can hide from a volt / ohms / meter / scope and a valve tester

[Ninanina]

Bev
I would suggest a valve amp guru has a look at your amp , not much can hide from a volt / ohms / meter / scope and a valve tester

Thanks for the input Al. I was thinking of taking it along to AN which isn't too far from me... I just hope they don't charge too much to take a look at it.. I have no idea what would be a 'reasonable' fee to have it checked out ..

[Audio Al]

Bev as a alternative you could send it 2 this gent

http://www.ampregen.com/index.html

Graeme is a true gent very honest and has a lifetime of valve experience ,Graeme has repaired a Audio Innovations 500 amp for me , Highly recommended and no BS ;)

[Ninanina]

Bev as a alternative you could send it 2 this gent

http://www.ampregen.com/index.html

Graeme is a true gent very honest and has a lifetime of valve experience ,Graeme has repaired a Audio Innovations 500 amp for me , Highly recommended and no BS ;)

Thanks Al. Where in the country is he? as I can't find info on his website

[Audio Al]

Thanks Al. Where in the country is he? as I can't find info on his website

Didcot Oxfordshire

[Ninanina]

Didcot Oxfordshire

Thanks Al for that...

[danilo]

From experiences; a Failing Cap in the tone stack of the pre / integrated... Often causes crackles.
Also don't discount the Chi Fi gizmo, as these often produce Odd annoyances.
G'luck

[Oldpinkman]

Any further thoughts on my crackle would be very much appreciated, it's a nightmare that I can't replicate the problem at the moment then I'd know what was causing it... :doh:

Intermittent faults are a nightmare. Wait for it to return before you resume worrying about it. If it is a problem it will come back.
If it doesn't, this is a very short thread, and life is good again :)

[Puffin]

Thanks for the input Al. I was thinking of taking it along to AN which isn't too far from me... I just hope they don't charge too much to take a look at it.. I have no idea what would be a 'reasonable' fee to have it checked out ..

Bev, have you seriously considered how difficult life will be with only one arm and one leg!

[Ninanina]

Bev, have you seriously considered how difficult life will be with only one arm and one leg!

Rob are AN that bad then ? :doh:

[Arkless Electronics]

Try deoxit in the valve sockets again and plug the valves in and out several times. Very likely to be just this, as Grant and Geoff said.

[Ninanina]

Try deoxit in the valve sockets again and plug the valves in and out several times. Very likely to be just this, as Grant and Geoff said.

Great thanks Jez I will try that again to see if it does the trick... ;)

[spikeyfaz]

I am currently running a little Trends T amp that I just purchased from Jeff (rubber duck) and it is quite an eye opener... I would consider it about 80% of the Oto... an amazing little rascal.. :eek:

http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ninanina2/thumb_IMG_0719_1024.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ninanina2/media/thumb_IMG_0719_1024.jpg.html)

I'm intrigued about how close you think the little amp compares to the big amp! I've been looking at getting an Oto to power my Tannoy Devons, but the cost savings on the little amp are attractive to me.

Mike

[Ninanina]

I'm intrigued about how close you think the little amp compares to the big amp! I've been looking at getting an Oto to power my Tannoy Devons, but the cost savings on the little amp are attractive to me.

Mike

Mike... well I would never swap my Oto as I love it to bits

The little Trends is very good indeed though. It's not what it does right more what it doesn't do wrong, if that makes any sense. It has quite a sweet sound to it and is totally non fatiguing, it has absolutely no harshness about it at all. The bass it pretty good too

While I have been impressed with the T amp it doesn't have the 'texture' or the 'insight' to the music that I have become accustomed to with the Oto but I guess you wouldn't expect it to really considering the huge price difference

The only thing I can say is I think you have nothing to loose trying out a good T amp as they are not expensive, however I can also wholeheartedly recommend the Oto :)

[spikeyfaz]

It's the 'texture' and 'insight' that I'm looking for. Hmm. Think I'll continue to keep my eyes open for a decent valve amp.

Thanks for the insight.

[Audio Advent]

The only thing I can say is I think you have nothing to loose trying out a good T amp as they are not expensive

Other than loosing it down the back of the sofa so small as it is!

[Audio Advent]

It's the 'texture' and 'insight' that I'm looking for. Hmm. Think I'll continue to keep my eyes open for a decent valve amp.

Thanks for the insight.

Could be that it's pre-amp section that's lacking - the Trends will just have a cheap pot infront of the amp stage. Could look to find one without that and attach a good active pre-amp to it, or do some DIY to bypass it internally.

[Ninanina]

Well the crackle is no more... all I had to do was take out the output valves, the EL84's, and replace them back in their sockets and hey presto no further crackle so it must have just been a bad seating of the valves or something, so the Oto is back in and performing as it always has, perfect

I've been using the Trends amp for a few days now and while it is very good indeed it's nice to have the Oto back in the sytem, I still love it to bits.. :D

[Ninanina]

I am just pleased it wasn't anything seriously wrong with my beloved Oto... phew !