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Help Loud pop when muting BAT VK-3i preamp

Hey guys! I just got a BAT VK-3i installed in my work-in-progress listening room. I had the guy still in the box for a few days, but wanted to wait until I got my dedicated lines installed to fire her up.

NOW...

There seems to be one small problem with the mute function. Whenever I press mute on either the remote or the front panel of the unit, I hear a very loud "pop!" from the left speaker (Magnepan MMG), primarily (maybe there is something in the right speaker, but I cannot hear it over the very loud pop in the right speaker). Also, when I turn the volume down to "00" I get the pop (because the muting is engaged) and when I power the unit on, after the tube heath 60sec check-up/delay I get the pop again. Now, I've rotated out my amplifier, my speakers, the interconnect between the amp and preamp and I had the "pop!" with every iteration. Also, it does this even if no source is playing (or even turned on) and also even if I select a source via the knob that I have nothing hooked up to. Therefore, it cannot be the source or anything upstream of the preamp. The only thing I haven't changed is the speaker wire (Kimber 4PR). I am going to put my old preamp back inline today and I expect that the pop will go away. Do you think this could be a bad tube? I figured I should probably talk with BAT on Monday, but I just got finished e-mailing this to the seller here on Audiogon and I wanted to post a similar reply to the forum to see if anyone might be able to help.

Thanks!
-Marc
mre2007
smeyers
181 posts
 
The problem has been found. Here is an email exchange with Vladimir of BAT:

My message to BAT:

I wanted to mention one other problem that I remembered about the VK-5i I sent to you for repair (static/popping from one channel). Whenever I put the unit into Mute mode, I hear a somewhat loud pop coming from one channel, I believe from the same channel that is having the other problems.

Their response:

You are right. All three problems (occasional static, low gain, and louder pop) in right channel are connected.
We found broken connection inside oil capacitors module (black box) in right channel. This broken connection was going on and off in which case you heard static.
While connection was lost the right channel output was just half of that of left channel. The same problem was causing louder pop when you muted the
output. The broken connection was inside "black box" with two decoupling oil capacitors. We replaced the box with new one. Hopefully, it'll be fine from now on.
I need a couple more days to confirm.

Regards,
Vladimir.
chotdavid
3 posts
 
Keneallyfan,

Yes, $600.00 to replace the two modules. The quote came directly from Victor Khomenko of BAT. Read the ff e-mail from him:

"Hi,

Most likely the output cap/caps developed electrical leakage and need to be replaced. Usually in such case both SIX-PAK’s should be replaced.

Regards,

Victor Khomenko

2nd email below:

"The whole job cost $600. We replace the complete modules. You may keep the old modules, as those caps are great and can still be used in many projects. Out of 12 caps there chances are a couple are leaky, the rest might still be fine."
-Victor

Keep in mind that this is his analysis of what might be the cause of the loud pop when muting. It might turn out to be something different/more when you ship the unit to BAT.

smeyers
181 posts
 
Another response from BAT about the cost:

Two new oil caps @40.00 each will go for $80.00, plus two hours of labor @$65.00 give us $130.00 more.
Total repair will cost you $210.00 plus $35.00 for ground shipping, unless something else will pop up in a day or two which I need to be sure.
mre2007 OP
90 posts
 
Well, here's my take. I taked to BAT and the suggested swapping the 6V6 tubes, as the pop is only in one channel. They said if this doesn't help, try taking the two 6922 tubes from one side and swapping them to the other side.

Well, I tried both suggestions to no avail. I'm supposed to call back to BAT tomorrow and get a RMA number from them to send the unit in.

Now, my unit doesn't have any oil caps in it, unless I'm mistaken, so maybe my cost will not be as bad?!

Now the real question, should I expect the seller to share the costs with me? He said that the unit was from a customer of his, and it wasn't exhibiting any problems; the customer just wanted an upgrade. I'm not sure I could file a claim with UPS... could I?

Thanks guys for your quick and helpful advise (as usual)

-Marc
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Hard enough to get a claim paid from UPS with visible obvious shipping damage. Not likely to get anything that route. High cost of 6 packs are due to each containing 6 large expensive capacitors. It is an expensive upgrade to most BAT units ($500, I think) and is standard some SE models. Definately not standard in 3i. If the upgrade is $500, adding in diagnosis charge brings you to $600 pretty quickly. BAT service is not cheap, but in my experience very fast and reliable (fixed is fixed).
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