I'm not sure what the problem is, whether it's my amplifier or speaker. What's causing it?

[ommadusk]

It's a very confusing one this. I have a DAC connected to a power amplifier which is connected to stereo passive speakers. I had a problem whereby the left speaker would make crackle sounds and I'd hear noise in both speakers. I did some testing and I think the problem came from the left channel of the DAC. The problem hasn't happened for a while and I don't know why. The strange thing is that when I switched the DAC outputs or poweramp inputs I could hear the crackles in the right speaker but it wasn't as loud. There was a discernible difference. I've tried two identical speakers (I have two pairs) and the same thing happened, it was quieter in the right speaker. It's very strange isn't it? I could not make it so I had the same loud crackles in the right speaker as I did in the left. I'm wondering if I had a problem with the DAC and there's also a problem with the poweramplifier? Perhaps it will forever be a mystery.

 

[Jimbob54]

It's a very confusing one this. I have a DAC connected to a power amplifier which is connected to stereo passive speakers. I had a problem whereby the left speaker would make crackle sounds and I'd hear noise in both speakers. I did some testing and I think the problem came from the left channel of the DAC. The problem hasn't happened for a while and I don't know why. The strange thing is that when I switched the DAC outputs or poweramp inputs I could hear the crackles in the right speaker but it wasn't as loud. There was a discernible difference. I've tried two identical speakers (I have two pairs) and the same thing happened, it was quieter in the right speaker. It's very strange isn't it? I could not make it so I had the same loud crackles in the right speaker as I did in the left. I'm wondering if I had a problem with the DAC and there's also a problem with the poweramplifier? Perhaps it will forever be a mystery.

Dodgy cable(s)?

 

[ommadusk]

I thought I'd eliminated that but I'll have to test that again if the problem reoccurs. Thank you.

 

[Jimbob54]

I thought I'd eliminated that but I'll have to test that again if the problem reoccurs. Thank you.

My guess is either dodgy cable or possibly dodgy connection at dac end

 

[Chrispy]

Maybe a bad solder joint in the dac?

ps maybe amp as well....

 

[Mart68]

could be the dac, cables or amplifier. The only thing you ruled out so far is the speakers.

When I have had this sort of issue it's always the most expensive component so my money's on the amp. But you need to do some more substitutions. Maybe you are luckier than me and it's just a dodgy cable.