Hello there,
I've been having problems with an NAD C541i CD player, which has developed an intermittent crackling noise from its audio out, which comes on for a second or so intermittently (every now and then... perhaps 10 minutes between occurrences, but less/more frequently at times). I bought a cheap DAC and it doesn't occur on the coaxial digital out (I'm sure about this, as I recorded the latter while listening to the former, and no sign of it on the recording at the points where I heard it happening).
Any thoughts on what this sounds like (snippet below)?
I'm wondering if it's dry/cracked solder joints, so it would be good to confirm/disconfirm that's a good guess before trying. I've tried cleaning the sockets, changing leads etc. If you think I should try even harder cleaning the RCA sockets then a few tips on how to do it best would be welcome!
All the best,
Sam
I've been having problems with an NAD C541i CD player, which has developed an intermittent crackling noise from its audio out, which comes on for a second or so intermittently (every now and then... perhaps 10 minutes between occurrences, but less/more frequently at times). I bought a cheap DAC and it doesn't occur on the coaxial digital out (I'm sure about this, as I recorded the latter while listening to the former, and no sign of it on the recording at the points where I heard it happening).
Any thoughts on what this sounds like (snippet below)?
I'm wondering if it's dry/cracked solder joints, so it would be good to confirm/disconfirm that's a good guess before trying. I've tried cleaning the sockets, changing leads etc. If you think I should try even harder cleaning the RCA sockets then a few tips on how to do it best would be welcome!
All the best,
Sam
In the past I've had cracked solder joints on the RCA sockets to the PCB but sounded different. Maybe sounds like power arcing in the analogue out section.
Thanks for that! Sounds like that might be harder to diagnose and fix... is that right? What would I be looking for? MIght there be visible signs that arcing had occurred on the circuit board? Or have I got the wrong end of the stick?
Oh, and this wouldn't be dangerous to continue to use with the digital out, would it?
Sam
Oh, and this wouldn't be dangerous to continue to use with the digital out, would it?
Sam
Just listening to that some more and it is a very strange noise. It reminds me of the breakthrough you can get when an amp/radio etc is subject to very high radiated RF fields like in proximity to a radar... that what it sounds like anyway.
Is the player located near anything unusual in the home or is anything placed on top of it like a mobile or... well anything really.
Is the player located near anything unusual in the home or is anything placed on top of it like a mobile or... well anything really.
Nothing unusual I can think of! It's on top of the amplifier. I can try moving it elsewhere...
Sam
Sam
It might be worth moving as a quick test and to remove doubt.
And was the noise on both channels?
Beyond that and given it is a NAD I would look for dries around the power supply, in particular around any hot running parts such as voltage regulators and also look if any caps seem to be having a hard time.
And was the noise on both channels?
Beyond that and given it is a NAD I would look for dries around the power supply, in particular around any hot running parts such as voltage regulators and also look if any caps seem to be having a hard time.
Yes, on both channels. I think that's a stereo recording above (at least, it's supposed to be) and the distortion appears to be the same on both channels. I will do some experimenting/careful poking when I get the chance... may not be until the weekend.
Just to reiterate, the problems are completely absent on the digital out, but perhaps that's consistent with the suggestions around the power supply/DC blocking capacitors (you'd know better than me!).
Thanks for the help so far!
Sam
Just to reiterate, the problems are completely absent on the digital out, but perhaps that's consistent with the suggestions around the power supply/DC blocking capacitors (you'd know better than me!).
Thanks for the help so far!
Sam
If it was a fault in the analogue stages (with the exception of any mute circuitry... and that area might be worth a a look... or PSU issues) then the problem would only be on one channel. Mute and PSU are common to both.