Behringer DEQ 2496 Clicking

[MRC01]

The DEQ 2496 that I bought back in 2016 has been reliable until yesterday, when it started making an intermittent clicking sound. This sound is not in the audio outputs but is a physical/mechanical sound coming from inside. Sounds like a relay clicking. It happens only after it's been on for 15+ minutes. It still works perfectly even when clicking, the digital output is clean - no noise or distortion. When it clicks, it's intermittent. It will click in short staccato bursts of 1 to 5 clicks, then silent for a minute (more or less) then repeat.

I opened it up on the bench and inside there's nothing obviously wrong. Nothing burned or discolored, it powers up and functions just fine. The fuse checks OK.

Has anyone else encountered this? I didn't see any obvious relays inside but maybe there are some... It's possible the clicking does affect the analog outputs, which I don't use, so I can check that next. I'm proficient with a soldering iron and have designed/built/repaired equipment before, but I'm not an expert. Would be nice to fix this if I can.

 

[Everett T]

The DEQ 2496 that I bought back in 2016 has been reliable until yesterday, when it started making an intermittent clicking sound. This sound is not in the audio outputs but is a physical/mechanical sound coming from inside. Sounds like a relay clicking. It happens only after it's been on for 15+ minutes. It still works perfectly even when clicking, the digital output is clean - no noise or distortion. When it clicks, it's intermittent. It will click in short staccato bursts of 1 to 5 clicks, then silent for a minute (more or less) then repeat.

I opened it up on the bench and inside there's nothing obviously wrong. Nothing burned or discolored, it powers up and functions just fine. The fuse checks OK.

Has anyone else encountered this? I didn't see any obvious relays inside but maybe there are some... It's possible the clicking does affect the analog outputs, which I don't use, so I can check that next. I'm proficient with a soldering iron and have designed/built/repaired equipment before, but I'm not an expert. Would be nice to fix this if I can.

Could you not identify the clicking once you had it open? I had relay that was an issue years ago, but had it replaced and sold it immediately after.

 

[MRC01]

Could you not identify the clicking once you had it open? I had relay that was an issue years ago, but had it replaced and sold it immediately after.

Not yet. When I had it open, I powered it up for a few minutes and it was fine. I need to power it up and leave it on for a while...

 

[JeffS7444]

It actually does contain relays, which is how signal passes through it even if the device is powered down - pretty elegant, especially given it's modest price. Yours may be intermittently going into full bypass mode without your noticing.

When I purchased mine several years ago, I read accounts of people experiencing power supply electrolytic capacitor failures, so I recapped mine while it was newish.

 

[Devnull]

If it doesn't click when the top's off you might try some heating with a hair dryer to see if it's a heat related failure.

 

[Sokel]

Also check for DC at its outputs and a sanity electrical test in general. Behringer is notorious about failing in strange ways.

Relay clicking means some PSU fail in general, or a bad joint going worst with heat, etc.

Also check the internal connectors, they are as bad as it gets in terms of quality.

 

[MRC01]

More testing: it clicks only when audio is playing. I use only the digital inputs and outputs, but I had its balanced analog audio output connected to the input on my Tascam DA3000 (even though I wasn't using it). I thought maybe the DEQ 2496 analog balanced output is relay protected against shorts, and that protection is triggering when it shouldn't. To test, I disconnected its analog outputs and the clicking stopped.

I double-checked the analog balanced input impedance of the Tascam, and it's fine (20+ kOhm). And it records the analog balanced output of the DEQ 2496 just fine. To try to reproduce the clicking, I shorted the pins on the DEQ 2496 analog balanced outputs while it was playing music. Pin 2 to 1, and pin 3 to 1. If the problem were what I suspected, that should trigger the relay to click. But it didn't.

In fact, with everything reconnected, the clicking is gone. I cannot reproduce the problem any more. These intermittent problems are like chasing ghosts. But since I don't use the DEQ 2496 analog outputs, and that's probably the source of the clicking, I left them disconnected. If the clicking returns, I'll know what isn't causing it.

 

[Everett T]

More testing: it clicks only when audio is playing. I use only the digital inputs and outputs, but I had its balanced analog audio output connected to the input on my Tascam DA3000 (even though I wasn't using it). I thought maybe the DEQ 2496 analog balanced output is relay protected against shorts, and that protection is triggering when it shouldn't. To test, I disconnected its analog outputs and the clicking stopped.

I double-checked the analog balanced input impedance of the Tascam, and it's fine (20+ kOhm). And it records the analog balanced output of the DEQ 2496 just fine. To try to reproduce the clicking, I shorted the pins on the DEQ 2496 analog balanced outputs while it was playing music. Pin 2 to 1, and pin 3 to 1. If the problem were what I suspected, that should trigger the relay to click. But it didn't.

In fact, with everything reconnected, the clicking is gone. I cannot reproduce the problem any more. These intermittent problems are like chasing ghosts. But since I don't use the DEQ 2496 analog outputs, and that's probably the source of the clicking, I left them disconnected. If the clicking returns, I'll know what isn't causing it.

Then I would agree that's it's a solder joint causing the issue. Frustrating I'm sure. I loved the features of the product, but too many Behringer horror stories.

 

[MRC01]

... In fact, with everything reconnected, the clicking is gone. I cannot reproduce the problem any more. These intermittent problems are like chasing ghosts. But since I don't use the DEQ 2496 analog outputs, and that's probably the source of the clicking, I left them disconnected. If the clicking returns, I'll know what isn't causing it.

The relay clicking is back, even with only digital inputs & outputs plugged in. Must be the power supply.

 

[MRC01]

PS: on further investigation I discovered that this problem started the same day I plugged in a mini-fridge in the audio room. What is the likelihood that this could create noise on the power line that would affect the DEQ2496?

 

[phoenixdogfan]

PS: on further investigation I discovered that this problem started the same day I plugged in a mini-fridge in the audio room. What is the likelihood that this could create noise on the power line that would affect the DEQ2496?

Highly likely. Mine did it all the time until I moved the fridge to another room. Also eliminated the noisy compressor, and made me walk 30 steps to get anything out of it. So a win all around.

 

[OldHvyMec]

I cannot reproduce the problem any more

I have found on many occasions that the power cable needed to be replaced, and with the new connection and the fact that I plugged in the new PC a few times, it cleaned the pins.

It was likely a poor connection with low voltage, was causing the relay to cycle. The fact that you plugged in another appliance on the same circuit/run could have further exacerbated the intermittent fault/noise.

I had to replace a socket on a Nord One that was about 13-15 years old. I didn't notice the cable wasn't plugged in all the way. It worked perfect for years, UNTIL!
I did a good inspection and could smell something burnt. Low and behold the socket had been arking and the chared power cord end was the proof. I replace both, socket and cable 3 months ago and it works like a charm.

Inless a piece of equipment has a 50.00 USD circuit breaker like a few power amps I've owned, the fuse gets replaced, and the fuse pocket gets cleaned and treated with contact enhancer. BTW, a little on a Q-tip works just fine. I use 2000 graphite powder mixed with Nuclear Never-seize. Less is better, never gobb on the enhancer. You can also use a typical store-bought enhancer. Caig, CRC, NO-OX-ID (marine application). It is a code requirement where aluminum drop wire is being hooked to a copper, copper clad or aluminum main buss/rail.

Regards

 

[MRC01]

... Inless a piece of equipment has a 50.00 USD circuit breaker like a few power amps I've owned, the fuse gets replaced, and the fuse pocket gets cleaned and treated with contact enhancer. BTW, a little on a Q-tip works just fine. I use 2000 graphite powder mixed with Nuclear Never-seize. Less is better, never gobb on the enhancer. You can also use a typical store-bought enhancer. Caig, CRC, NO-OX-ID (marine application). It is a code requirement where aluminum drop wire is being hooked to a copper, copper clad or aluminum main buss/rail.

That's happened to me before, so one of the first things I did was remove & test the fuse, clean its contacts.