Loud pop/screech when powering on amp
Hello All,
I have an Audio Refinement Multi 5. I just bought her used in pristine condition a couple months ago. I get a loud pop when I turn it on. But the last couple of days there's almost like a weird screeching sound right after the pop . Everything sounds. fine when I play music/movies, but I'm a little concerned if this is a bad sign. I'm also a little concerned if this is harming my speaks. I have had other amps that pop and I know this is normal. I always turn her on last and turn her off first and volume is always low when powering on and off. I only use the power button in the front when done for the night. I have not turned the main power button off since connecting her. I have a Shunyata power cable plugged directly into the wall on the amp. I have an Audioquest Powerquest 303, should I maybe try plugging the amp into that, would that help? I also did turn off the main power switch on the back this morning and will try when I get home to see if this helps when I power her up...
Thanks in advance for any advice...
Best Regards...
I believe the amp is > 10 years. As for opening and trying to diagnose/repair myself, this is most definitely WAY over my pay grade. Again weird thing is it’s playing and sounding fine. Would it do that if it had issues???
@soix I actually saw that McCormack on Audiomart. However that one is up there in age as well, no? And seller has it rated 7/10. A little hesitant but that one is definitely on my list. Think that’s a solid amp? |
@hsounds if it is a blown cap, why would the amp still play and sound fine? |
McCormack amps are very solid and reliable, and I’d be surprised if you didn’t get at least another 10 trouble-free years out of it. Plus, SMcAudio is available to consult with and do repairs in the unlikely event anything happens. The amp looks to be in very good shape, and personally I wouldn’t hesitate to buy it if it’s not viable to fix your amp. It’s a steal at the asking price IMHO. |
Sorry, OP; I don't know enough about electrical theory and function to answer that--I only know how to change parts assuming I can identify the correct ones. I will say that I had an old preamp that was spitting and popping (but it did play) and I was talking to the tech at Cary about it (this was back when they would talk to you on the phone) and he actually did mention the possibility of a cap being bad. So I guess it is possible that a cap could be on the way out but not completely gone? I don't know for sure on that, and in the case of that preamp I just alluded to, it was actually some ancient worn out tubes. |
@kingbr -- I hope you find out the issue, but if I were in your shoes, I would NOT continue to risk my SF Sonetto's. For goodness sakes, disconnect those speakers ASAP. If you want to continue to experiment with possible issues, connect the cheapest pieces of crap you can buy tomorrow off of Craigslist. I've seen permanent damage done to high end speakers due to an ongoing sudden "pop" from the amp. It baffles me that some brands accept a "power on pop" as normal or OK. I'm not an electrical engineer expert or speaker driver manufacturer, but that sudden "pop" can't be good...it just can't. Just my two cents worth. Keep us updated! |
