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Advice on popping noise from Audio Aero Prestige

I recently upgraded this player to 'signature edition' (cryo tubes, exotic caps, better damping). Sounds brilliant and is an improvement over standard unit. Upgrade took place at factory in France.

Popping noises (esp on left channel) now occurs whenever volume is changed, pressing stop, or choosing next/previous track. Also, player gets confused on repeat play (at end of cd/sacd it either stops or goes into scan mode). When system is idle, a buzzing sound comes through left channel. However, when playing music none of these noises occur.

Prior to upgrade, no such problems happened. My dealer suggests that I should burn-in the player for longer in the hope that popping and buzzing significantly reduces. I'm not entirely convinced this will work and seek other suggestions/solutions. Also, is it safe to continue using this player?

Thanks in advance.
cics
cics OP
43 posts
 
David - Will definitely inform on how this plays out. This player takes a long 2-3 months of burn-in and unfortunately my dealer can only loan me a new one. The difference is not subtle as you will find out. When its in the 'zone', its just brilliant.

Rwwear - Your logic cannot be faultered. AA provides this as part of the 'signature edition' kit. (You also get a 'signature edition' decal which is attached to the transport tray face). My understanding of this treatment is that its temporary and benefits wear off over time.
cics OP
43 posts
 
Took the player to my dealer and tested it in his system. No pops or buzzing whatsoever!

The thinking now is that it could be a grouding issue - I am puzzled as nothing has changed in the system except for it being powered down completely for 2 weeks.

Does this make any sense?
david_berry
211 posts
 
Cics,

Do you have the AA direct to your 33H amps? What amps did the dealer use and did he hook the AA up directly as well?

David
cics OP
43 posts
 
Yes, my AA connects directly to the 33Hs and in the dealer setup, the AA connects to a Viola preamp which drives a valve amp.
cics OP
43 posts
 
Finally getting somewhere. After lots of trouble shooting (change power cords, swap line filters, test ics, check voltage, lift grounds, etc.) the pops simply continued. This was not a grounding issue.

I took the player back to the dealer for another test and test his own player (also prestige se) in my system:
- In dealers system using my player, pops were more noticeable than before but still very soft and acceptable.
- With dealer's player in my system, I have no pops at all!

It seems there is a difference between the 2 players with the dealer's unit having older software. There also may be differences between the phillips transports.

We're going to run the players for a while in both systems to be sure. It may just be that in dealer's system, preamp is doing some additional buffering/muting when music signal is interrupted (i.e. stop, next, prev). Nonetheless fault seems to be with the player.
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