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"popping" when moving to balanced cables on Amp

Hi all,

I'm a bit perplexed on something. I just got some balanced XLR cables with Nutrik connectors for my Anthem setup. I have an AMV-20 Anthem Preamp and an MCA-20 amplifier. The cables really made the system come even more alive!

When I turn my setup OFF, there is a HUGE POP that now comes from the speakers when the amp turns off. There was no such massive pop when I was using RCA interconnects.

Is this characteristic??????? I don't know what to do and where to begin diagnosing. I guess one could say it's the cables, but that makes no sense?!!!

I haven't had any problems with the amplifier or the pre-amp and turning the volume DOWN before turning the system off doesn't make any difference.

Help!!!! I don't want to damage my speakers.

I have Revel Performa M22's and the Anthem AVM-20 and MCA-20 as I mentioned above. I am using Audioquest Type 4 speaker cable and now I just got new Balanced XLR connectors (.5 meter) from CableSolutions.
internetmin
internetmin OP
258 posts
 
Thanks john. I just got back from a trip so assuming I can stay awake I will try it out tonight :-)
internetmin OP
258 posts
 
Ok, now I'm perplexed.

1) I recalibrated all my speakers and took down the L and R about 6 decibels so that they are now at "THX reference" with the balanced connections.

2) I tested a series of sequences with power on and power off and took my amp off the trigger.

3) The speaker "popping" and loud "booming" on startup and shutdown happens when the anthem AVM-20 PRE-AMP is engaged or turned off!!!

4) Turning off the unit with volume down or in mute makes no difference (no surprise)

5) I think that the VOLUME of the boom/pop is lower since I recalibrated the speakers

I'm perplexed?!?!? At this point I'm wondering if the issue is the balanced cables at all or from the Pre-amp and if from the pre-amp why that would be?!!

Any additional thoughts?
ghostrider45
449 posts
 
No preamp is going to be stable during power up and power down. Internally voltages are changing rapidly and operating conditions for the preamp stages are not established. I would expect some output transients.

It's not your cables. You have to ensure that your power amp is the last thing turned on and the first thing turned off. The trigger does not enforce this.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Disconnect the interconnect cables from your amp completely, leave the speaker cables hooked up. Now power your amp on and off. Is the pop still there? If so, the problem is your amp, if not, then your amp is fine, and the problem is with the preamp or interconnects.

John
internetmin OP
258 posts
 
ok if I power the amp up last and turn it off first then that solves all popping issues. In other words if there is power to the speakers and I turn the preamp on then that is when I get the popping.

So I would assume that is the issue.

I really want to automate the on off process with a single command. The Anthem amp has an auto-on feature that solves the on sequence but not the power down. Do you all with separates manually turn on your equipment one piece at a time or do you use triggers or what??

I have a Panamax power conditioner that does delayed startup and shutdown but I can't use it with the anthem gear. It blows the fuse because the anthem products have their own internal power conditioners that do not like any others in the chain.

Thanks a ton for all the advice. I think I'm getting closer!!!

Ted
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