Question Lehmann audio blackcube decade has crackling noise

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skinnypuppy71

skinnypuppy71

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Aug 10, 2021
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Hi folks, just wondering if anyone could shed any light on the issue with my Lehmann audio decade phono stage . I've uploaded a demo of what's happening on YouTube, excuse the wallpaper mess etc..in the middle of decorating. I have tried different rca cables, different inputs in the Primaluna, heck I have even removed the Rca cable from the turntable and still the sound persists, don't get me wrong..it's still working and making great music, but this just happens sporadically.
View: https://youtube.com/shorts/cwOFAFhZpaM?si=JC0vw818kJErDYHK
 
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Al ears said:
Interesting.
If you have disconnected the turntable RCAs and it still does it I can only suggest it is time to ditch it.
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Not really a option Al..I just paid £850 for it....was going to send it back, but I thought I remedied the problem, thinking I had a faulty input in the Primaluna, so I cancelled the returns process and the problem started again after a few days....I'd rather get it repaired.
 
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skinnypuppy71 said:
Not really a option Al..I just paid £850 for it....was going to send it back, but I thought I remedied the problem, thinking I had a faulty input in the Primaluna, so I cancelled the returns process and the problem started again after a few days....I'd rather get it repaired.
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Send it back if still in warranty, I can only infer that it is at fault and nothing else.
What did you use before you got it?
 
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Al ears said:
Send it back if still in warranty, I can only infer that it is at fault and nothing else.
What did you use before you got it?
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Bought it on eBay, it's a pre owned unit , as I said, I started a returns request and cancelled it, thinking I had found the issue...I was wrong to be so hasty in closing my returns option and now it's not really a option as far as I can see.... in my purchase settings.
Oh, I had a project tubebox ds2 previously Al.....nothing wrong with it, I just wanted to get a phono stage up a level or two....I sold it to help fund the Lehmann, I'll probably just use the on-board phono stage in my Mytec brooklyn bridge in the meantime, until I've gathered funds for repair and send it to Lehmann audio in Germany.....hopefully they can sort it out.
 
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skinnypuppy71 said:
Bought it on eBay, it's a pre owned unit , as I said, I started a returns request and cancelled it, thinking I had found the issue...I was wrong to be so hasty in closing my returns option and now it's not really a option as far as I can see.... in my purchase settings.
Oh, I had a project tubebox ds2 previously Al.....nothing wrong with it, I just wanted to get a phono stage up a level or two....I sold it to help fund the Lehmann, I'll probably just use the on-board phono stage in my Mytec brooklyn bridge in the meantime, until I've gathered funds for repair and send it to Lehmann audio in Germany.....hopefully they can sort it out.
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Ah!
It's nothing to do with the settings you are using on the Lehmann I assume?
 
skinnypuppy71 said:
....send it to Lehmann audio in Germany.....hopefully they can sort it out.
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No doubt they could sort it out.
But in an attempt to avoid hassle and expense, I'd be getting back on e-bay trying to resurrect the cancelled return request.

I presume it's got a specific, separate power supply - probably a dual rail type - so not easy to try another PSU.
And even if you did prove the PSU to be faulty it wouldn't help you much.
(If the crackle is on one channel only, it won't be the PSU at fault).

I hope you can arrange the return (by telling e-bay you were premature with that cancellation?)

PS I see your Petite Classic now has a walnut and oak veneer option - but for that luxury they want an extra £300 🤔
 
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Gray said:
No doubt they could sort it out.
But in an attempt to avoid hassle and expense, I'd be getting back on e-bay trying to resurrect the cancelled return request.

I presume it's got a specific, separate power supply - probably a dual rail type - so not easy to try another PSU.
And even if you did prove the PSU to be faulty it wouldn't help you much.

I hope you can arrange the return (by telling e-bay you were premature with that cancellation?)
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Hi Gray...yes I have sent the seller a message, that I was a bit premature with the closing of my return request.... I'll see how that goes, He said it was working fine when I messaged him at the first return request, I have no reason to doubt him/her as it is a seller with 100% feedback.
 
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skinnypuppy71 said:
Hi folks, just wondering if anyone could shed any light on the issue with my Lehmann audio decade phono stage . I've uploaded a demo of what's happening on YouTube, excuse the wallpaper mess etc..in the middle of decorating. I have tried different rca cables, different inputs in the Primaluna, heck I have even removed the Rca cable from the turntable and still the sound persists, don't get me wrong..it's still working and making great music, but this just happens sporadically.
View: https://youtube.com/shorts/cwOFAFhZpaM?si=JC0vw818kJErDYHK
Click to expand...
It sounds on the recording like static, a bit like if you touch the needle or an RCA isn't plugged in properly. It sounds like you have gone through all the obvious things like changing out the cable and imputs on the emp. The only other one is the earth/ground.

Sounds from other replies that you have tried it with an onboard stage on the amp, if that works works you have realistically isolated the issues to the phono stage. Its probably a bad connection or a dried out capacitor. Probably going to have to be a return or repair!
 
Fandango Andy said:
It sounds on the recording like static, a bit like if you touch the needle or an RCA isn't plugged in properly. It sounds like you have gone through all the obvious things like changing out the cable and imputs on the emp. The only other one is the earth/ground.

Sounds from other replies that you have tried it with an onboard stage on the amp, if that works works you have realistically isolated the issues to the phono stage. Its probably a bad connection or a dried out capacitor. Probably going to have to be a return or repair!
Click to expand...
Hi Andy..yes..it does really sound like static....and I have isolated the problem to the Lehmann phono stage.....I have played records from the turntable into my brooklyn bridge, using it's onboard phono stage and using it's line level input with the Lehmann audio decade......the Lehmann audio decade is stilll noisy and the onboard phono stage is working as expected.
 
skinnypuppy71 said:
Hi Andy..yes..it does really sound like static....and I have isolated the problem to the Lehmann phono stage.....I have played records from the turntable into my brooklyn bridge, using it's onboard phono stage and using it's line level input with the Lehmann audio decade......the Lehmann audio decade is stilll noisy and the onboard phono stage is working as expected.
Click to expand...

Does it use xlr cables? If so, I'm guessing you swapped them at the same time as the RCA.

How old is it? I am still thinking of a dry capacitor. You mention sending it back to Germany, if you don't have a warranty to invalidate, is it worth getting someone local to have a look.
 
Fandango Andy said:
Does it use xlr cables? If so, I'm guessing you swapped them at the same time as the RCA.

How old is it? I am still thinking of a dry capacitor. You mention sending it back to Germany, if you don't have a warranty to invalidate, is it worth getting someone local to have a look.
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The Lehmann just has rca inputs and outputs, although the power supply has, what looks like a din cable, which I don't have a spare to try out, as for somebody local to have a look at it, I haven't a clue where to start looking, I'm in s/w Scotland, any dealership in Glasgow ( closest)to me) would probably send it to the manufacturer I would have thought.
 
Did you fix it?
How does it ended.?

This Lehmann Decade has super good feedbacks. I would be interested learning how did you manage that issue. Hope you found an easy way to solve it with no money loss.
 
I sent it back to the seller for repair...I got it back and the issue was still present...I returned the Lehmann and received a full refund....I then opted for my original preference manufacturer's phono stage...NJC audio's phono stage...I still have that unit and I cannot fault it...although it's only mm capable I could get the step up transformer if I ever decide to go down the moving coil path which I can't see happening any time soon....the njc is every bit as capable as the Lehmann audio....for less than half the price to boot.
 
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Happy endings !
A waste of time, a bit disappointed but you saved your money and your phono stage is quite good! Happy to read that.
Super interesting phono preamp. Regretfully, they only sale in UK.


I am on the quest of a used Lehmann Decade or just listen to one in my neighborhood.
 
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BenWatts said:
Happy endings !
A waste of time, a bit disappointed but you saved your money and your phono stage is quite good! Happy to read that.
I am on the quest of a used Lehmann Decade or just listen to one in my neighborhood.
Click to expand...
I don't think I'd part with the original rrp for the Lehmann for sure...good phono stage but not worth £1500.imho.
 
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