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Distortion and popping from new speakers

I have a problem and need some advice. I just purchase a new system from Audiogon members that now consists of new Opera Quinta speakers, a used Musical Fidelity 3.2 Int. Amp and MF 3.2 CD player. Also purchased Purist Audio Vesta speaker cable, Silver Audio interconect and a Zu Cable power cord. I have listens to the new system and it sounds good EXCEPT when I turn it up to about 45% power or about 11:30 on the volume knob. That is when the speakers will start distorting and making a popping noise, I just turn it down below 11:00 on the volume knob and it sounds good again. This is not normal is it? I have tried different CD players, interconnercts and music but that doesn't change things. What should I try next?
davef
plato
1,543 posts
 
Dave, my guess is that it is normal in this case. The amp is probably hitting full volume at around the 11 O'clock position. The only reason I find that a bit unusual is because your CD player is part of the same series from the same company and usually same-series components work very well together. Nevertheless it appears to be the case.

So relax and enjoy it. If you need to play it that loud, you'll need a much bigger amp; and at that point you may be taxing the power handling capacity of your speakers.

Distortion like you've experienced can harm/blow your speakers and you don't need to impress your friends at that cost and bother. High-end systems are not normally designed for rock-concert output levels. Heck, if you want really LOUD playback levels buy a pair of Klipsch Cornwalls and a high-powered amp... Then you'll be damaging your hearing -- not your system.

Frank :)
Ag insider logo xs@2x
highend64
277 posts
 
Davef, I had a similar problem but with a Hafler DH-200 power amp. The problem with mine was that it had a bad output transistor.

In your situation however, it could be different. I would call Musical Fidelity and tell them the situation.

Thanks
Alfredo
maxxc
177 posts
 
You may want to post a question directed to Musical Fidelity owners here and at Audio Asylum and see if they have the same problem.

I really can't see this as being a clipping issue with the volume control only a little above 11:00.

I had a similar problem with a Jolida amp that would make a popping sound as it was turned up to about the same position as yours. It like Alfredo's had a bad transitor.
davef OP
8 posts
 
I could definitely live with it this way but it seems to me that something is wrong. I will contact Musical Fidelity about the possibility of a bad transistor. Thanks for the input guys. Any other ideas would be appreciated.
davef OP
8 posts
 
Talked to the musical fidelity distributor and he said that turning the volume up 50% is full power for an amp ??? He didn’t think there was any problem with my Amp.
I also checked and my speakers are 4 ohms with Sensitivity 90 dB Recommended amplifier power: 30-180 watts Nominal impedance: 4 Ohms and my amp has Power 115 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms (20.5dBW) 185 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms.
I’m not sure what to think but I don’t have any other ideas except I shouldn’t turn it up to loud.
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