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My stereo is haunted!!

Hello Audiogoners,

I’m looking for some serious sleuthing. I cannot figure out what’s going on with my system. 

The basic system is:

  • Bel Canto Ref1000M Class D mono blocks
  • Modwright SWL 9.0 Anniversary Edition preamp
  • Bel Canto DAC 3
  • Either my old Rotel CD player or Cambridge transport to DAC
  • GoldenEar Triton One speakers

I liked the sound. It was just fine. Then, out of the blue, when I started the system, I’d get static that would build up until I got a loud POP out of the right speaker. How loud? My dog is now afraid of my stereo. Well, she’s not that brave…

I have tried:

  • Swapping in various tubes in the preamp.
  • Sending the preamp back to Modwright for a full exam. Done for only the cost of postage- great company. 
  • Switching the channels used for each mono block. 
  • Switching the channel for each speaker. 
  • Switching out the electronics in one of my speakers (parts supplied for free from GoldenEar- great company).
  • Switched in Adcom GFA555
  • Switched in a Dynaco PAS 3 Series II preamp
  • Used all combinations of preamp/amps
  • Switched out all cabling including speaker wire
  • Added a Furman PL-8C to stop line noise
  • Tried a different circuit in my apartment
  • Tried powering off flatscreen TV, Roku, and WiFi router
  • Switched between CD transports and used the Rotel built in DAC to take the DAC out of the system
  • Tried new surge protectors and power line.
  • Tried some medium sized Klipsch speakers I had around.

Nothing has worked. Some things (like the Furman, oddly enough) have added additional hum. 

I’m fine with basic tube noise floor. Not so fine with small booms and hum.  

I’m ready to go back to my Victrola and give up on electronics all together!

Guesses? Things to try? Have a problem like this before? Thanks for any clues!

gone
dreas's avatar
dreas
86 posts
 
Nothing to add other than, thanks for the laughs. Some good ones @thecarpathian  And BTW @oldhvymec this is an e.g. of good decorum. 


lordrootman's avatar
lordrootman
376 posts
 
I went through the same recently 
In my case it was Rotel preamps Michi P5 and Rotel RC1590 
turning the lights fan AC on and off makes loud pop noise power on and off the system will do the same 
I replace both preamps with Parasound P6 and Hint6 and everything gone 
my recommended is first eliminate the Rotel from the system unplugged it  from wall or any power source 
also if you have iPhone charger plug it to power now instead of charging the phone use the little end that goes to iPhone to touch your preamps CD and the rest of your equipments  the bad one will make noise through your speakers leave all the equipments on like you are playing music but stop the music where you doing this report back  
speakermaster
738 posts
 
Sounds like have tried  lot of things, my only suggestion would be to run a dedicated line to your system, because a power conditioner will only add hum if there is a ground problem in the system or the line.
tim_p's avatar
tim_p
361 posts
 
Try sage...followed up with a good Padre/Priest...should work. 
thecarpathian
4,341 posts
 
If you do get the exorcism, pay for it immediately.
You don’t want your stereo to get repossessed!
I am on a roll!
Hmm. That's probably why there's butter on my pants...
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