Power on popping sound


Hi Everyone!

Why does the left speaker always make a "pop" noise when the amp powers up?  Also, after preamp and amp are powered up there is a low buzz coming from the left speaker.  Not sure if I can hear the buzz from the right speaker.

The left speaker also makes a "whoosh" sound when powering off the amp.  

Getting paranoid about speaker damage.

Gear:
Speakers:                    Ologe 5 (Same thing happens with my LS 50 passives)
Amp:                            Forte Audio 1A 
Temporary preamp:     ADA Suite 8x8 - (I might pick up an Audible Illusion Modulus 2B but am open to suggestions.)
I also swapped in my Fostex HP A8 as a preamp and got the same popping and buzzing.
Rocket 88 speaker cables

Thanks!





hleeid
Reverse the speaker cable going to the speakers. If the problem goes to the right speaker then you will know that left channel of the amp is the problem!
Assuming the problem is isolated to the amp which will most likely be the case, try turning on the preamp a few seconds before the amp and see if you still hear the pop. You probably will not. As for the whoosh sound, its most likely the power supply capacitors that are near their end of life. My very old Adcom 545 did it too.
In addition to the excellent advice from the above posters, always remember LOFO (amp is last on, first off). Turn-on sequence should always be: source(s), pre-amp, amp. Turn-off sequence should always be amp, pre-amp, source(s).

Tom