Amplifier advice needed (possible damage to the system)

[eon_tal]

Hey all,

I could really use some technical advice to a hi-fi newbie (see avatar)!

I have been building my very first set of separates. Due to limited budget I opted for second hand amplifier and CD player and got Marantz PM5004 and CD5004 in what was advertised as excellent condition. I then hooked up a brand new set of Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 speakers on solid Atacama stands using Audioquest FLX/SLIP 14/4 speaker cables (bi-wired).

The very first album I listened to was Hilliard Ensable's Morimur. By and large, it sounded wonderful except for a faintly perceptible crackle on high notes. Being a novice, I wasn't entirely sure at first and thought it might be the actual sound profile that is slightly on the shrilly side. Moreover, several other albums (Sixto Rodriguez's Cold Fact and PJ Harvey's White Chalk for example) sounded OK.

However, upon playing Hans Otte's Das Buch der Kläge today, a piano solo album, I was immediately struck by the same crackle, this time unmistakable, on loud high notes. More appears to be coming from the right speaker than the left but it is definitely present in both. It even seems to linger a brief moment after notes have been played. A faint metallic crackle or shrill is the best description I can give to the sound.

I have already tried different wall sockets but the problem persists. More worryingly, the sound is also there using headphones (Grado SR-60), though with a sligthly different profile. It is not produced using phones straight from the CD player.

Could someone more knowlegable tell me what might be the possible cause here? Is it that the previous owner has simply abused the amp (it did arrive with bass on the max)? Could a hi-fi shopfix repair this or am I looking for a whole replacement?

Any help is much appreciated!

 

[plastic penguin]

Welcome to the forum...

As you can hear something isn't right on headphones, that would point to a amp problem. Before anyone gets too deep have you made sure all the cabling is fine? Did you buy the amp and CDP from a dealer? If so contact them.

How long ago did you purchase the Diamond 9.1? They were replaced by the 10.1s about 4 years ago.

Also try connecting the CDP to a different input, like tuner, AV, Tape. See if that makes a difference.

 

[plastic penguin]

speaker cables (bi-wired).

Any help is much appreciated!

Try, also, to single wire the speakers.

 

[eon_tal]

Thank you for the welcome and a quick reply!

I double checked all the wiring last night and tried switching it between several configurations. Close listening also showed that the serious crackle was limited to only one of the speakers with the other one giving slightly more hiss but not the high-note shrill.

Using a different port gave no improvement. I also tried single wiring the speakers but one of them still had the crackle. I then had the idea of switching around the left and right speakers and guess what, the same one kept crackling!

Correct me if I'm wrong but this seems to point at the least likelt culprits - the brand new pair of Wharfedales. I was not aware that it was such an outdated model since I had only purchased them two weeks ago from Superfi (the price probably reflected the fact). I guess I am having to go through the return process and try out a different pair. I am actually thinking of getting the Q 2020i's instead, for the peace of mind and expanding my horizons. Does that sound like a good option despite the considerable price hike?

 

[ivavcr]

If the crackle is present while using the phones with the amp and not when using the phones directly out of the CD, the amp is to blame.

 

[eon_tal]

Yes, there is still the issue of the slight crackle from the phones but I think this is a different beast altogether. It was never quite as strong as the distortion from the speakers and might well have to to do with my aging Grados.

Just to give you an update, I have organized the return of the Wharfedales and picked up a pair of Dali Zensor 1s this afternoon. Straight out of the box I could tell there was a huge difference. None of the crackle playing the same tracks and the sound is far superior to the Wharfedales! Playing around with positioning helped fine-tune them even further as the Zensor's apparently like being closer to walls. Mind you, I am sure both Diamonds and Zensors are excellent speakers when properly working. But for the time being, I cannot help but thinking that this mishap might have gotten me an upgrade.

Thanks again for all the answers and happy listening!