2. amps-preamps
  3. 131762-99335

Troubleshooting balance issues

I'm hoping to get help troubleshooting balance issues I'm having with my system.  

Pre Amp is Parasound Halo P5.  Amplifier is Emotiva XPA-200.

I'm getting between 1.5-6dB less on the right channel than the left.

Below are the troubleshooting steps I've taken. I'm hoping you might have a couple other ideas:

  • All testing either with Mono recordings or single channel pink noise
  • Tried different interconnects
  • Ensured all connections good
  • Tried balanced and unbalanced connections into the emotiva amp
  • Tried through two different preamps
  • Swapped L/R output from amp to speaker and balance issue stayed on R output and switched to other speaker
  • Moved/swapped L speaker to the R side and vice versa
  • Measured L and R put with single channel pink noise
  • Swapped L/R 
Occasionally on a power cycle on the amp it will come back centered. Occasionally I'll get a full day centered. More often than not the R channel will be off -1.5 to -6 dB. The about of gain loss seems to stay stable (i.e. If -1.5 it will stay -1.5 for a while).

Would appreciate any additional ideas!!  

Thanks :)
otherones
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,467 posts
 
If it changes with speaker cable swap, then it must be before the speakers.  The next thing I'd do is actually swap the whole speaker cable....disconnect the cable and reconnect them with the former left on the right etc.  If it is the same, then go to swapping cables from the preamp to the amp, then if no satisfaction...from the source, to the preamp.  I went nuts with the same issue and found the problem in my turntable setup....the azimuth was off.  I know it sucks, but don't give up.
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,658 posts
 
Sounds like you’ve eliminated the speakers the speaker wires and the sources so that only leaves your amp. I’d suggest giving the manufacturer a call and send it in if it’s still under warranty. If not the find a reputable tech locally and have them check it out. Could be something simple as the dc off set out or transistor bias. I’ve had an amp do similar things and it was the bias out on one channel also could be a cold solder joint. 
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,788 posts
 
I've not seen anything that suggests that the interconnect cables have been swapped at the input of the amp. If so, then that is the next step.

If the problem moves => amp is off the hook
If the problem does not move => amp problem


jfwoodman
3 posts
 
Rebooting this..to the OP, did you solve this? Did you test this using headphones too?

I've experienced something similar using the P5 Preamp with active speakers. Noticed unbalanced sound in different pairs of headphones (but assuming that's a P5 headphone amp issue).
More to discover