RCA repair on Amp

audiocr381ve
audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
edited May 2013 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
Hi guys, so long story short, I bought a couple of monoblock amps from a gentlemen a couple of days ago. I got home and plugged them in and an extremely loud pop and buzz happened when I powered on the amps. I knew my wiring was correct and that it had to be the amps. Further troubleshooting would have meant risking blowing one of my speakers when powering on so I decided to wait.

The seller agreed to meet at a repair shop and pay for repairs. To my surprise, both amps checked out FINE. The repair shop didn't have time to actually do a real world test and plug them in to a pair of speakers.

So I get home and give them another shot and another furious pop and buzz happened so I powered down. I decided to swap interconnects from the pre-amp to the amp because the ones I was using didn't have the tightest fit. Again to my surprise the problem is fixed BUT the slightest touch to the connection at the amp resulted in the pop and buzz from both amps.

I have some extra RCA's that I ordered for a DIY project years ago and need your advice. Firstly, I'd like to know what could be causing this. Secondly, would replacing the RCA's be the best route at this point, or should I take a stab at resoldering the RCA connections inside the amp?
Post edited by audiocr381ve on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,447
    edited May 2013
    Come on by and I will hook you right up. Too many variables to guess at without seeing what's inside the box, but yes, the RCA's should be replaced and maybe a few other things.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited May 2013
    John, you're far to kind. I'll take you up on that and get us a six pack of some nice San Diego craft brew. I would love to hear your setup too. I remember us exchanging numbers awhile back but I cleared out everything in my inbox. What's your schedule looking like?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    edited May 2013
    You've got a loose connection to/on the board that the RCA(s) are attached to.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,507
    edited May 2013
    I've seen that happen mostly with board mount RCA's on some amps that I owned or fixed for someone. Broken, loose or pulled out pins/traces. I have a Rotel 5 channel amp that was handled roughly where I had to use short wire leads from the board to the RCA.

    pcb-connector-663.jpg
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,447
    edited May 2013
    My schedule is pretty open. You are welcome anytime.

    Clear the pm box so I can send you my number.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited May 2013
    Cleared the inbox! I think Monday might work, will need to check with the Mrs.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter