Strange ticking noise when amps were powered on from cold


Any one encountered this phenomenon? I have a pair of Aesthetix Atlas Monos. When they were powered on from cold I could hear some continuous ticking noise (10-15 beat per second) if I stick my ear right next to the speakers. VERY faint. The noise was gone in about 5 mins once the monos were warmed up. As long as the monos’s main switches were on the noise would not return regardless the monos were playing or stand by. It only happened when they were turned on from cold (e.g. after a power failure in the neighbourhood ). searched online and some people suggest that it is the capacitors charging?

 

Steps I’ve done to diagnose the problem:

1. Turn off preamp-same problem

3. Replace 6SN7 tubes

3. use other amps-no noise

4. plug them in other main sockets-same problem

5. switch off all other appliances at home (fridges, dishwasher, modem, router, down lights)-same problem

6. Disconnect all rechargeable devices (laptops, robot vacuum cleaner, power bank, electric toothbrush)-seemed to quiet the noise a bit but not to sure as it was very faint in the first place

At the moment it’s not very practical for me to take the monos to other places to try.

Your input is much appreciated. 
 

 

steven365

Forgot to mention that after 5 mins from cold start up the ticking noise just suddenly stopped on both speakers simutaleously...Also it's a very faint ticking noise that I couldn't even capture it with my iphone sticking next to the drivers. 

If I leave the units on till the noise stops, then switch off the main, then swtich the units back on, I could not hear any noise. It only happens when the units are swtich on from completely cold (discharged??).

@oldhvymec 

No other issues other then the ticking noise. They sound great as usual. 

I just noticed it as I was planning to sell them so I removed my current amps and powered on the Aesthetix monos to make sure everything's fine. It could have been happening for a while as the ticking noise is so faint so I didn't notice it before? or because the monos were in standby when not used. I only switched off the mains if I do not plan to use them for an extended time (e.g. traveling overseas)

The monos are hybrid amps with one 6sn7 in each channel.

8 year old

LOL...no silly things done or noticed.

I'm really baffled here...

 

 

I think your just fine. The location you had it before and the fact most of us don't turn off the main switch could be all it is. It was always there just the location may have masked the sound. I have a few class Ds and A/B preamps all the same way. You hear the soft start relay charging up discharged caps..  Some units are set up to bleed off the filter caps and some stay charged up.

Regards

   Copied from Aesthetix owner's manual see below:

It is normal that a slight pop may be heard when going into or coming out of Standby. This is due to the amplifier switching from high bias to low bias.

 

@ditusa 

Thanks mate but what I heard is continuous ticking (10-15 beat per second) instead of some random pops.