Recommendations re: Ear Fatigue/Discomfort

[thewas]

Switch over to my AVR-speaker setup. And within seconds after turning my system on, there's that discomfort/burning sensation in my ear.

When I would turn off the system? Ear discomfort/burning sensation stopped. Rinse and repeat. I tried this several times and every time I had the same thing occur.

That description somehow gives me the impression of some phase problem between left and right speaker. This could have several reasons, like some weird/wrong DSP setting being still active at the AVR, that one loudspeaker is connected with the wrong polarity or that the room acoustics cause a large phase difference at a frequency that causes you those phenomenon. For the first try to disable every setting (also shut off the subwoofer) or even better reset the AVR, for the last try moving the loudspeakers and/or couch test-wise much closer to each other. Or an even simpler alternative, disable the sub and one of the 2 loudspeakers to see if it still happens.

 

[thejsg]

I guess the only thing you haven't tried is switching to a different amp, right?

Can you borrow/buy one?
Or bring your speakers to a friend with one, and try it there?

You just have to keep trying things one variable at a time.

Yeah I guess so? It's the only other thing in the chain I haven't switched out.

But I'm not sure where to start. Do I get something comparable from another manufacturer? Or do I get something more powerful?

Also, could I test out this theory that the AVR might be the issue by using its headphone jack? If the headphone jack would be using the same onboard amplifier and that's my suspicion, could that be confirmed that way?

I don't think an amplifier alone will work unless I get one with an optical input since I don't have an audio card with RCA.

 

[sweetchaos]

Lots of options:
- integrated amplifier, with optical input
- DAC with remote (like Topping E30) with optical input + stereo amplifier
- AVR, with optical input

 

[thejsg]

That description somehow gives me the impression of some phase problem between left and right speaker. This could have several reasons, like some weird/wrong DSP setting being still active at the AVR, that one loudspeaker is connected with the wrong polarity or that the room acoustics cause a large phase difference at a frequency that causes you those phenomenon. For the first try to disable every setting (also shut off the subwoofer) or even better reset the AVR, for the last try moving the loudspeakers and/or couch test-wise much closer to each other. Or an even simpler alternative, disable the sub and one of the 2 loudspeakers to see if it still happens.

Yes, I've reset the AVR multiple times and have not made any adjustments to it. I've also moved the listening position forward from 10 feet to 7-8 feet, no change. I did test out by turning off my sub and disconnecting the L bookshelf (unplugged the speaker wires). From what I can tell, there was no improvement. I will try this again though tomorrow once my ear has calmed down.

Unfortunately, it takes awhile for it to "get back to normal" when this occurs.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[thejsg]

Lots of options:
- integrated amplifier, with optical input
- DAC with remote (like Topping E30) with optical input + stereo amplifier
- AVR, with optical input

I have a Denon AVR-S750H which does have two optical inputs (one for TV audio and one for media player). I suppose if I got an amplifier with a digital output, I could do two tests: (1) amplifer to motherboard or (2) amplifier to AVR to HDMI which is how I'm running it now.

If I plug an amplifier into the AVR, does the AVR then bypass its onboard amplifier in favor of the one plugged in? I've not advanced to this level of audioholics

Thank you for the continued suggestions as well!

 

[sweetchaos]

If I plug an amplifier into the AVR, does the AVR then bypass its onboard amplifier in favor of the one plugged in?

You can't.
Denon S750H doesnt have pre-outs...
Any of the Denon X3XXX models will have pre-outs. (ex. Denon X3600, X3700,etc will work).

 

[YSC]

Or is that the avr have some kind of hf or lf noise which although you can’t listen to it you feel it and it annoys as hell? I think if so the best bet is to get a cheap but gods quality favs like those toppings and use with the avr amp section, if possible borrow a stereo amp to eliminate the amping problem in avr also

 

[thejsg]

You can't.
Denon S750H doesnt have pre-outs...
Any of the Denon X3XXX models will have pre-outs. (ex. Denon X3600, X3700,etc will work).

Correct. Went back and double-checked the good 'ole user manual.

My game plan is to try to confirm if polarity is an issue as suggested by our friend @thewas tomorrow. If the problem persists, then I think I can order a Yamaha A-S301 stereo amplifier which has an optical, L/R, and subwoofer input to try that out to at least confirm if it might be the AVR that is the issue.

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate having such a helpful resource. This is all new to me and I've never had this kind of problem with audio before.

Will report back

 

[YSC]

Correct. Went back and double-checked the good 'ole user manual.

My game plan is to try to confirm if polarity is an issue as suggested by our friend @thewas tomorrow. If the problem persists, then I think I can order a Yamaha A-S301 stereo amplifier which has an optical, L/R, and subwoofer input to try that out to at least confirm if it might be the AVR that is the issue.

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate having such a helpful resource. This is all new to me and I've never had this kind of problem with audio before.

Will report back

Hopefully you get it sorted out soon, I completely understand the feel that you spent big money for high fidelity and Enjoyment and it gets fatigue soon as you start listening

 

[thejsg]

Happy Friday!

Several new developments/tests:

• Went to ENT doc, confirmed no diagnostic issue based on exam and hearing test (besides what I already knew: moderate-to-severe hearing loss in the upper frequencies). Better to know than to not know, I suppose.
• Tested @thewas's suggestion for polarity: unplugged one speaker: issue still persisted.
• Tested @Kustomize's suggestion in another room with carpet and more furniture (previously no issue when using powered speakers in this room either): issue persisted but not as consistently.
  • Also note the listening position here is more near-field at about 2 feet away from speakers versus the HT room which is 9-10 ft away.

So at this point, I think it's time to changeout the AVR for a stereo amplifier and give that a go.

If any other thoughts come to mind, I would appreciate any reactions to the outcomes of the tests above.

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

[thejsg]

I wanted to return and close the thread. Definitely disappointed after all the time I've spent researching and testing things; however, life is too short and at some point, you just want to not have to worry about such things like enjoying your TV or games.

I've boxed up all my gear and will be returning it. For now, I'll just learn to enjoy my TV's audio. I might return to HT dreams or I might not.

Regardless, I appreciate everyone's insight and advice! I'd love to one day solve or come up with a methodology for these issues, because I see 'em posted here and there and have massive empathy for those experiencing it.

Take care, friends. Until I post again!