Intermittently soundless LEFT speaker only when power on.

[mrlawrencelam]

SIMPLE SETUP:
Marantz CD-5000 CD player + Marantz PM-47 amplifier + One pair JPW P1 speakers.

PROBLEM:
20% of the time when I power up the CD player and amplifier and start playing a CD, the LEFT speaker is soundless. I have to power off the player/amplifier and re-play the CD 1~3 times before the left speaker is fine.

And once the speaker sounds normally, it will work fine even if played for hours.

I have checked the RCA cable between speaker and amp. I have also checked the RCA cable between the amplifier and CD player. I have also cleaned all contact points and changed to banana plugs (before it was bare wire screw-on).

Very weird. Power on off a few times, the left speaker sounds again and won't give problem until the next time I power on/off. And because of this, I doubt the problem is due to poor contact.

 

[Ethics Gradient]

Firs step of elimination - try powering off just the amp, and after a few times of that, just the amp. At least you'll know which is at fault - it's unlikely to be both. You may also need to try the CDP connected to different amp inputs.

After that, you'll need to swap one end of interconnects and see whether the problem moves from side to side, then swap back and do the same with the speaker cable.

 

[mrlawrencelam]

Good suggestion. Will update later.

 

[Ethics Gradient]

just the amp, and after a few times of that, just the amp

I meant amp, then CDP - brain still asleep at time of posting!

 

[shadders]

Hi,
Sounds like a sticky relay. When you turn on the amplifier, do you hear a click after a few seconds and then white noise, low level, through the speakers ?

Regards,
Shadders.

 

[mrlawrencelam]

@shadders Yes. With or without the sound from left speaker, the click (or tag-in) sound is always there 2 seconds after I turn on the Marantz amplifier.

 

[mrlawrencelam]

Is it power consuming if I leave the amplifier and CD player power-on forever after stop playing music? I will see if the problem occurs if I do so.

 

[Ethics Gradient]

The manuals should tell you the power consumption figures.

 

[shadders]

@shadders Yes. With or without the sound from left speaker, the click (or tag-in) sound is always there 2 seconds after I turn on the Marantz amplifier.

Hi,
Just to confirm, when there is no sound from the left speaker when you play a CD, then if there is no white noise from the speaker, then it is likely a sticky relay.

It can be replaced, but i would get quotes, as the cost may be close to a new amplifier.

Regards,
Shadders.

 

[shadders]

Is it power consuming if I leave the amplifier and CD player power-on forever after stop playing music? I will see if the problem occurs if I do so.

Hi,
I would not leave equipment always on, as it does waste electricity - here in the UK the costs have increased 50% a few days ago.

When the amplifier or CD player is off, then the equipment will last longer. Some argue that turn on stresses the components, yet no definitive evidence that this means equipment fails quicker.

Regards,
Shadders.

 

[Ethics Gradient]

Some argue that turn on stresses the components, yet no definitive evidence that this means equipment fails quicker.

This is obviously anecdote rather than evidence, but the only hifi components I've owned which have failed have done so at the point of being switched on.

 

[mrlawrencelam]

The manuals should tell you the power consumption figures.

The Marantz amp and cd player are more than 17 years. No manual. Will try to search online.

 

[Gray]

The Marantz amp and cd player are more than 17 years. No manual. Will try to search online.

Have a look for a label quoting wattage, on the back, close to where the mains enters the units.

 

[mrlawrencelam]

Have a look for a label quoting wattage, on the back, close to where the mains enters the units.

Found manual in Google. 6w standby power consumption.

 

[Gray]

Found manual in Google. 6w standby power consumption.

There was a time when 6W was regarded as nothing.
No doubt it still is by many people (the type that pick things off the shelves in supermarkets without looking at the prices).

Check your unit price for electricity (measured in kWh)
You get about a continuous week of standby for the cost of a unit.

 

[mrlawrencelam]

There was a time when 6W was regarded as nothing.
No doubt it still is by many people (the type that pick things off the shelves in supermarkets without looking at the prices).

Check your unit price for electricity (measured in kWh)
You get about a continuous week of standby for the cost of a unit.

Checked. It is about US$0.25/month for standby power-on 24 hours/day.

 

[Gray]

Checked. It is about US$0.25/month for standby power-on 24 hours/day.

A quarter of a Dollar for a month?
That seems (a bit too) good.
But then, you don't live in 'Rip Off Britain'.

 

[mrlawrencelam]

But then, you don't live in 'Rip Off Britain'.

In my country, it is still possible to have a nice breakfast, such as noodles + boiled egg + hot red tea, for less than US$1.

 

[Gray]

In my country, it is still possible to have a nice breakfast, such as noodles + boiled egg + hot red tea, for less than US$1.

I know, I went to Las Vegas once, all you can eat for 6 Dollars, I nearly killed myself.
Nothing was small - their lemon meringue pie looked like the white cliffs of Dover.

 

[Al ears]

I know, I went to Las Vegas once, all you can eat for 6 Dollars, I nearly killed myself.
Nothing was small - their lemon meringue pie looked like the white cliffs of Dover.

I don't think he is in the States...... It's not that cheap.

 

[shadders]

I don't think he is in the States...... It's not that cheap.

Hi,
The standby calculation is probably correct, as it is $0.1 per kWh, which for 30 days works out to be $0.43 per month.

For the food - it is possible if you know the right places, or live in a low cost state or area.

Regards,
Shadders.

 

[mrlawrencelam]

I don't think he is in the States...... It's not that cheap.

Malaysia