Digital Amplifier Questions

Bombaywalla,

You're right, I could do as you suggested but I don't want to be tied to a cord and handheld portable radios aren't expensive.

Guido,

Okay, I'll keep an open mind and see if I can pinpoint the leakage point if RF interference is detected.

Rookie Midwest RF Interference Technician,
Tim

All,

For something that has absolutely nothing to do with the sound of your system, RF interference/leakage testing is sure a pain in the butt; mainly since I'm handicapped and walk with a cane.

As I stated I would in my last post, I bought a $15 Craig portable AM/FM radio that runs on 4 AA batteries (I also bought a new hairdryer I've needed so this whole thing already has been worthwhile).

Having completed a somewhat lengthy and definitely aggravating process, I want to complete it here by documenting my findings thoroughly. What follows is probably overkill but I hope to never need to duplicate this little experiment on my system and would like it to be of benefit to others wanting to test for RF interference/leakage.

My audio rack is 5ft wide and 2ft high and is located directly below my wall mounted 5ft wide and 3ft high HDTV. The rack has a solid walnut top shelf that holds a D-Sonic mono amp on each end, with an Oppo 105 located between them. Below are 2 compartments that are accessed via 2 swing-down doors and hold my sub, center and surround amps. All system amps are class D except the class A/B sub amp.

I assigned the amps as follows:

Amp#1: D-Sonic M3-600M class D mono pair on top shelf.
Amp#2: ClassD Audio SDS-440-CS class D stereo amp located in left lower enclosed compartment.
Amp#3: Dayton Audio SA-1200 mono class A/B sub amp/controller located in left lower enclosed compartment.
Amp#4: Emerald Physics EP-100.2-SE stereo amp located in right lower enclosed compartment.

I began the testing by tuning the Craig to the lowest station on the AM band that had decent reception. The lowest range station was unfortunately mid-band at '1070 KHZ' but this setting proved to be good for testing purposes. My process was to move the radio, set at half volume and tuned to 1070KHZ, from a few feet away to a few inches away from each amp on all sides and top. I did the following tests:

Test#1: All amps off.

Result: No loss of signal, static or buzzing near any of the 4 amps. However, there was some loss of signal and buzzing between the amps as I walked from the right mono amp to the left. I was able to pinpoint the source to the small Directv satellite tv 'client server' box located just to the right of my Oppo. This box was off but the signal loss and buzzing got worse when I turned it on. The RF was emanating from the small box as well as the power cord leading to my multi-outlet surge protector power strip.

Test#2: Amp#1 (mono pair) on only with all others off.
Results: Same as above with no RF leakage detected from any amp but buzzing and loss of station when near Directv client box and power chord.

Test#3: Amp#2 on only with all others off.
Results: No RF leakage detected from any amp just from Directv box and power chord.

Test#4: Amp#3 on only with all others off.
Results: No RF leakage from any amp just from Directv box and power chord.

Test#5: Amp#4 on only with all others off.
Results: No RF leakage from any amp just Directv box and power chord.

As you can see, the results were clear that none of my amps had RF leakage but the small satellite tv client box and power chord did. I'm not going to take any action since, as Guido correctly stated, there are no adverse audible affects of this RF leakage on my system.

Tim

Good news, Tim, and thanks for undertaking the effort.

To others who may wish to perform similar tests in the future, though, I would repeat one of my earlier statements:

03-31-15: Almarg
... the test will be most sensitive if you tune to a frequency at which no station is present. If a station is present the radio's AGC (automatic gain control) circuit will reduce its sensitivity, especially if the station's signal is strong.

Best regards,
-- Al

For something that has absolutely nothing to do with the sound of your system, RF interference/leakage testing is sure a pain in the butt; mainly since I'm handicapped and walk with a cane.

RF itself is way above our hearing range but different frequencies can mix on any non-linear element in the system, producing new frequencies that might be audible. Al mentioned it many times. Keep your system clean from interference (shielding, keeping things apart, using different outlets etc.). Anything can be the gateway, including speaker cables.

Hi Almarg,

I did initially try your recommended method (tuning to an area low on the AM band with no station present) but found it difficult to determine when RF interference was present. Tuning to a station with only decent reception (not an overly strong signal with very good reception) made it obvious to me when RF interference was present; the signal strength would decrease (sometimes going out completely), static would increase and a buzzing sound would begin.

Your method may work better for some than it did for me but I wanted you to know I appreciate your input.

Thanks,
Tim