Odd hiss/crackle through speakers

[Jab]

Hi folks, I have a problem that's popped up with my amp/speakers and
I'm at a loss to explain it, so I've come to see if any of you could
help at all.

I have a Marantz 5200 amp and a set of 5 Mission speakers.

As a test I removed all connections to the amp, bar power and one cable
to a front speaker, then I connect in the TV via phono. Whenever I try
to output the audio through the speakers I get a hiss and a crackle
when in digital mode, however when I select Source Direct mode
(straight to analogue) there is no hiss at all. So it's fine for 2
speakers for playing music but for movies or TV (when digital mode is
needed) there hiss is unbearable, it's so loud.
I have tested other speakers, different speaker cable and another
device other than the TV.
Any ideas? Is my amp buggared?

Any help would be appreciated! If any more detail is needed just ask.

Jonny

[Rich Clark]

"Jab" <jabjuice@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1136602173.810579.8660@f14g2000cwb.googlegrou ps.com...
> Hi folks, I have a problem that's popped up with my amp/speakers and
> I'm at a loss to explain it, so I've come to see if any of you could
> help at all.
>
> I have a Marantz 5200 amp and a set of 5 Mission speakers.
>
> As a test I removed all connections to the amp, bar power and one cable
> to a front speaker, then I connect in the TV via phono. Whenever I try
> to output the audio through the speakers I get a hiss and a crackle
> when in digital mode, however when I select Source Direct mode
> (straight to analogue) there is no hiss at all. So it's fine for 2
> speakers for playing music but for movies or TV (when digital mode is
> needed) there hiss is unbearable, it's so loud.
> I have tested other speakers, different speaker cable and another
> device other than the TV.
> Any ideas? Is my amp buggared?
>
> Any help would be appreciated! If any more detail is needed just ask.

Does this happen with a digital audio source as well?

RichC

[howardhometheater]

Jab Wrote:
> Hi folks, I have a problem that's popped up with my amp/speakers and
> I'm at a loss to explain it, so I've come to see if any of you could
> help at all.
>
> I have a Marantz 5200 amp and a set of 5 Mission speakers.
>
> As a test I removed all connections to the amp, bar power and one
> cable
> to a front speaker, then I connect in the TV via phono. Whenever I try
> to output the audio through the speakers I get a hiss and a crackle
> when in digital mode, however when I select Source Direct mode
> (straight to analogue) there is no hiss at all. So it's fine for 2
> speakers for playing music but for movies or TV (when digital mode is
> needed) there hiss is unbearable, it's so loud.
> I have tested other speakers, different speaker cable and another
> device other than the TV.
> Any ideas? Is my amp buggared?
>
> Any help would be appreciated! If any more detail is needed just ask.
>
> Jonny

Don't use the Phono input! It has an additional pre-amp stage to boost
the tiny voltage from magnetic phono cartridges (I'm old enough to still
have them, so I know) to the level already presented by what you're
inputting. You are overdriving the heck out of the phono input stage
and therefore enjoying all manner of distortion and nonsense. Use a
high-impedance input (tape, CD, Video 1, etc., anything but phono) and
you should be fine.


--
howardhometheater

[howardhometheater]

Or did I just read it backward and you're saying you don't get a noise
problem using the phono input? While that sounds completely
counterintuituve it would render my reply somewhat useless.


--
howardhometheater

[Rich Clark]

"howardhometheater" <howardhometheater.21a6rb@homecinemabanter.com> wrote in
message news:howardhometheater.21a6rb@homecinemabanter.com ...
>
> Jab Wrote:
>> Hi folks, I have a problem that's popped up with my amp/speakers and
>> I'm at a loss to explain it, so I've come to see if any of you could
>> help at all.
>>
>> I have a Marantz 5200 amp and a set of 5 Mission speakers.
>>
>> As a test I removed all connections to the amp, bar power and one
>> cable
>> to a front speaker, then I connect in the TV via phono. Whenever I try
>> to output the audio through the speakers I get a hiss and a crackle
>> when in digital mode, however when I select Source Direct mode
>> (straight to analogue) there is no hiss at all. So it's fine for 2
>> speakers for playing music but for movies or TV (when digital mode is
>> needed) there hiss is unbearable, it's so loud.
>> I have tested other speakers, different speaker cable and another
>> device other than the TV.
>> Any ideas? Is my amp buggared?
>>
>> Any help would be appreciated! If any more detail is needed just ask.
>>
>> Jonny
>
> Don't use the Phono input! It has an additional pre-amp stage to boost
> the tiny voltage from magnetic phono cartridges (I'm old enough to still
> have them, so I know) to the level already presented by what you're
> inputting. You are overdriving the heck out of the phono input stage
> and therefore enjoying all manner of distortion and nonsense. Use a
> high-impedance input (tape, CD, Video 1, etc., anything but phono) and
> you should be fine.

I think he just means he's using (RCA) phono connectors. Otherwise "Source
Direct" would still be distorted.

RichC

[Bill]

Rich Clark wrote:

>>> I have a Marantz 5200 amp and a set of 5 Mission speakers.
>>>
>>> As a test I removed all connections to the amp, bar power and one
>>> cable
>>> to a front speaker, then I connect in the TV via phono. Whenever I try
>>> to output the audio through the speakers I get a hiss and a crackle
>>> when in digital mode, however when I select Source Direct mode
>>> (straight to analogue) there is no hiss at all. So it's fine for 2
>>> speakers for playing music but for movies or TV (when digital mode is
>>> needed) there hiss is unbearable, it's so loud.
>>
>> Don't use the Phono input!
>
>I think he just means he's using (RCA) phono connectors. Otherwise "Source
>Direct" would still be distorted.

I don't know...to me it reads that he's using a non-standard input.
Anyway, I'm very confused about what the heck he's doing.

On my Marantz 7000, I'm running the TV line out to my receiver inputs.
There's a dedicated input for TV audio line-level, and it works fine. I
would never use the Phono input or any other unusual input for this.

Most of the time I listen to TV audio through the TV set's speakers
since it isn't the best source. DVD goes to the receiver for the added
sound quality.

[Jonny Barr]

Ok I just tested that, it's the same when using optical wire in- same
result unfortunately.

Another point is that when in surround mode, only the front left and
right speakers have the problem, the surrounds are ok.

So it seems in digital mode the main speakers are only crackling.

Thanks for your response,

Jonny

[Jonny Barr]

Yes I've tried it with an optical cable in.

Jonny

[Jonny Barr]

Yes I've tried it with an optical cable in.

Jonny

[Jonny Barr]

I get the noise regardless of whether the input is from TV input
(phono, I think that's what the cable is? The basic default ones) or a
digitial input from the DVD player via an optical cable.

Jonny

[Jonny Barr]

I believe it's the RCA connections Rich mentions above, the red/white
connectors, they connect straight from the TV to the TV inout
connections on the amp. I'm beginning the think something on the amp is
fried! I'm not sure what would cause this as the amp hasn't been
stressed or anything.

Jonny

[Gary A. Edelstein]

On 9 Jan 2006 02:00:41 -0800, "Jonny Barr" <jabjuice@gmail.com> wrote:

>I get the noise regardless of whether the input is from TV input
>(phono, I think that's what the cable is? The basic default ones) or a
>digitial input from the DVD player via an optical cable.
>
I hesitated entering this thread because your posts have been a bit
confusing given your somewhat lack of understanding of the
terminology. That's OK; we all started out having to learn.

Now that you posted a couple more messages today, I'll try to help
you.

Apparently your TV is hooked up to the amp with the L/R analog line
level output to a line level input on the amp. That uses RCA (or
'phono') plugs, normally color coded red for R and white for L.
Apparently you don't have it plugged into a turntable (phono or
phonograph) input on the amp. Your DVD player is plugged into the amp
with a digital audio optical input.

First you said you get the noise only from the 2 front L/R channels
and not the dialog (center) or surround (sometimes called 'rear')
channels when playing your DVD player with the digital audio optical
input. Now here you seem to be saying you get the noise regardless of
whether the amp is set to the analog or digital audio source. Which
is it?

Assuming you only get it from the digital source, then try the
following in this order:

- Disconnect everything from the amp except the DVD player. Keep all
5 speakers hooked up. If that clears it up, then it could be a ground
loop problem with the TV or cable TV.

- With the amp on but nothing playing, turn the volume knob back and
forth several times and push all the switches, including source
switches and speaker switches. You may have dirt/corrosion on
contacts causing the problem.

- Try a different optical as well as a coax digital cable. Could be a
bad cable.

- Try a different digital audio source. See if you can borrow a
different DVD player. Could be the DVD player.

If the problem persists after all of this, then I would guess there is
a problem with the digital section of the amp.

Good luck, Gary E
--
|Gary A. Edelstein
|edelsgNO@SPAMyahoo.com.invalid (remove NO SPAM and .invalid to reply)
|"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Walt Kelly's Pogo

[Jonny Barr]

Gary A. Edelstein wrote:
> On 9 Jan 2006 02:00:41 -0800, "Jonny Barr" <jabjuice@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >I get the noise regardless of whether the input is from TV input
> >(phono, I think that's what the cable is? The basic default ones) or a
> >digitial input from the DVD player via an optical cable.
> >
> I hesitated entering this thread because your posts have been a bit
> confusing given your somewhat lack of understanding of the
> terminology. That's OK; we all started out having to learn.
>
Sorry I'll try my best to get the terminology better!

> Now that you posted a couple more messages today, I'll try to help
> you.
>
> Apparently your TV is hooked up to the amp with the L/R analog line
> level output to a line level input on the amp. That uses RCA (or
> 'phono') plugs, normally color coded red for R and white for L.
> Apparently you don't have it plugged into a turntable (phono or
> phonograph) input on the amp. Your DVD player is plugged into the amp
> with a digital audio optical input.

Exactly right!
>
> First you said you get the noise only from the 2 front L/R channels
> and not the dialog (center) or surround (sometimes called 'rear')
> channels when playing your DVD player with the digital audio optical
> input. Now here you seem to be saying you get the noise regardless of
> whether the amp is set to the analog or digital audio source. Which
> is it?
>
I can only stop the hiss by pressing the "Source Direct" button, which
I believe bypasses the digitial tomfoolery and goes straight to
analogue. Of course this makes no difference for the optical digitial
input but works for the RCA inputs, but only gives me sound from the
Front L/R speakers.

Having said that, in digital mode the center and rear speakers have no
hiss.. it's only yhjt front speakers that exhibit the problem.

> Assuming you only get it from the digital source, then try the
> following in this order:
>
> - Disconnect everything from the amp except the DVD player. Keep all
> 5 speakers hooked up. If that clears it up, then it could be a ground
> loop problem with the TV or cable TV.
>
Tried this, still a hiss.

> - With the amp on but nothing playing, turn the volume knob back and
> forth several times and push all the switches, including source
> switches and speaker switches. You may have dirt/corrosion on
> contacts causing the problem.
>

There is a hiss no matter what unless I switch to TV input (RCA) and
select source direct mode.
Where are these contacts, could I open up the amp and clean it?

> - Try a different optical as well as a coax digital cable. Could be a
> bad cable.

It seems unlikely that both cables are faulty?
>
> - Try a different digital audio source. See if you can borrow a
> different DVD player. Could be the DVD player.

I've tried it with 2 different DVD players and the TV as input sources.
>
> If the problem persists after all of this, then I would guess there is
> a problem with the digital section of the amp.

I think this must be it, have I some how fried it? Is it time to
replace the amp or would it be plausible to get it fixed?
>

Thanks for taking the time for the great reply Gary!

Jonny

[Gary A. Edelstein]

On 10 Jan 2006 02:03:10 -0800, "Jonny Barr" <jabjuice@gmail.com>
wrote:

>There is a hiss no matter what unless I switch to TV input (RCA) and
>select source direct mode.
>
Then I'd say it isn't dirty contacts.

>> - Try a different digital audio source. See if you can borrow a
>> different DVD player. Could be the DVD player.
>
>I've tried it with 2 different DVD players and the TV as input sources.
>>
>> If the problem persists after all of this, then I would guess there is
>> a problem with the digital section of the amp.
>
If the problem persists with 2 different DVD players and different
digital audio cables, then yes it seems to be the amp.

>I think this must be it, have I some how fried it? Is it time to
>replace the amp or would it be plausible to get it fixed?
>
Depends on how much it's worth. If the unit was relatively
inexpensive, then you really should simply replace it. A high end
expensive unit may be worth repairing.

>Thanks for taking the time for the great reply Gary!
>
You're welcome.

Gary E
--
|Gary A. Edelstein
|edelsgNO@SPAMyahoo.com.invalid (remove NO SPAM and .invalid to reply)
|"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Walt Kelly's Pogo

[Eric G.]

I had a very similar problem with a Yamaha RX-V620 receiver. This may
have nothing to do with your problem, but maybe it will give you some
ideas.

When I changed houses, my receiver developed a hiss/crackle in left
and right main speakers when using any mode that required dsp
processing. I could hear the hiss/crackle even with no inputs connected
(only the power cord and 1 speaker connection). The hiss/crackle was
not present in the center channel, or left/right surrounds. I first
thought it was noisy power at the new house. I happened to have a
computer UPS with battery backup, so I tested the receiver with the UPS
plugged into the electrical outlet and with it unplugged. The receiver
had exactly the same hiss/crackle in both cases. So, it couldn't be the
power at the new house. Also at the new house, we were located close to
an electrical transformer, so I thought it might be some RF frequency
that was getting through to my amp. Since I was able to use the
6-channel input on my receiver connected to my dvd player with 6 RCA
cables with no hiss/crackle, I was too lazy to take the receiver to
someone elses house to test it. Also, I would use the receiver for
television veiwing (stereo), but the hiss/crackle wasn't loud enough to
be that annoying.

Finally, I moved again and guess what... The same exact hiss/crackle at
the new house! At this point I actually opened up the receiver looking
for some loose components or something. The moment I moved one of the
ribbon cables inside the receiver, the hiss/crackle disappeared. So,
most likely the ribbon cable was loose all along, and since the first
move it became loose enough to be a problem.

So, have you physically moved your receiver lately? Maybe it is
something similar? If you are not familiar with working around
electronics, I would not advise you to open up the receiver yourself,
but if you are capable then you might want to give it a try.

Good Luck...

Eric G.

[Jonny Barr]

I think the Marantz 5200 falls squarely in to the budget range (£400
at the time) and hence I'll porbably just replace it.

Thanks!

Jonny