2. speakers
  3. 191758-2831

any ideas?

I have a Rythmik sub that I have been using for several years in my system.  It is connected via high level ( speaker cables from amp) interface.  It has always been quiet and actually a great sub.  For the past week or so, it has been making a mechanical buzz - NOT thru the speakers and not changing with volume.  Absolutely nothing in the system has been changed for several months nor have any changes been made in where things are plugged into.  Does anyone have any suggestions as to what might be the culprit?  The buzz  is annoying when no music playing, but the sub still seems to function perfectly when fed a signal.  I am at a loss..

jwpstayman
boxcarman
421 posts
 

I am stating what is obvious.  If it buzzes when not playing anything, it's the electronics inside that is causing it.  Could be a ground loop or decaying parts in the sub amp.

shooter41
76 posts
 

I second the above advice to contact Rythmik. That guy knows his products extremely well and their customer service is famously quite good.

jwillox
188 posts
 

Power supply caps have degraded, or transformer dying. 

devinplombier
147 posts
 

If the noise is constant whether music plays or not, AND it’s not coming from the speaker... that eliminates pretty much everything.

It could possibly be a buzzing inductor, though that’s kind of reaching. By nature all inductors buzz so they’re potted in resin or glue to quiet them down. The dampening material can fail with age.

If that’s what it is, it’s completely harmless.

 

jwpstayman OP
401 posts
 

Thanks all!  I took off the plate amp and the caps ARE all bulging and at least a couple of resistors are burnt looking as well.  Contacted Rythmik and in the process of purchasing a new amplifier.

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