Scratchy sound from speaker

rburgess714
rburgess714 Posts: 616
in Troubleshooting
Listening to classical piano tonight adjusting the volume I heard a faint scratchy noise from my right speaker but only when adjusting the volume. What would be best approach for troubleshooting? Any ideas on what would cause this?
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Best Answers

  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    Answer ✓
    Likely build up on the volume pot. Time to clean your knobs.
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  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    Answer ✓
    Humidity can do odd things... Deoxit would be the product. This is assuming your pre volume pot isn't optical or reluctor type.
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  • codycatalist
    codycatalist Posts: 2,662
    Answer ✓
    Yup most likely needs a quick cleaning. I use Deoxit red to clean then Gold to lube it, fixed that same issue many a time. Keep in mind some volume knobs have a connection to the balance so one speaker or side can be affected while the other is fine.
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  • rburgess714
    rburgess714 Posts: 616
    edited December 2018 Answer ✓
    Clipdat wrote: »
    rburgess714 wrote: »
    I just muted the Aries lightning app and rotated the knob back and forth. Will post the outcome of Parasound support.

    Free or heavily discounted upgrade to the P6 would be sweet. ;)

    Yeah it’s not that old I am sure they will direct me to a local service shop or I ship to them. I don’t see them exchanging.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,934
    Answer ✓
    Yeah, I know. Just wishful thinking.
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Answers

  • rburgess714
    rburgess714 Posts: 616
    FestYboy wrote: »
    Likely build up on the volume pot. Time to clean your knobs.

    The pre is only about a year or so old. How would one go about cleaning the volume pot and why would only 1 be scratchy?
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  • rburgess714
    rburgess714 Posts: 616
    I’m going to spend some time with different tracks and hopefully it’s was the recording, likely wishful thinking. If not I will be contacting Parasound.
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  • rburgess714
    rburgess714 Posts: 616
    Ok definitely not isolated to the track. Will contact Parasound after Christmas.

    Question, will the scratchy sound damage my speakers?
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  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    It can, as it's severe distortion, so be mindful of your volume. As a temporary fix, I've had good luck removing the source from the integrated and rapidly sweeping the affected pot through it's full range several times with the unit powered on.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,934
    edited December 2018
    FestYboy wrote: »
    It can, as it's severe distortion, so be mindful of your volume. As a temporary fix, I've had good luck removing the source from the integrated and rapidly sweeping the affected pot through it's full range several times with the unit powered on.

    As long as your power amp is not turned on this should be fine to do. And if it's a typical scratchy pot, then the preamp power shouldn't have to be on either for this temporary fix to work.

    Curious to hear how Parasound handles this.
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  • rburgess714
    rburgess714 Posts: 616
    FestYboy wrote: »
    It can, as it's severe distortion, so be mindful of your volume. As a temporary fix, I've had good luck removing the source from the integrated and rapidly sweeping the affected pot through it's full range several times with the unit powered on.

    That seemed to help a little it’s very faint and only noticeable on certain types of music when adjusting the volume. Will contact Parasound support.
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    Parasound HINT 6, Yamaha Aventage RX-A 1060, Oppo 103D, Cambridge Audio Azur 851N, KLH Model 5s, Polk CSi A6, Samsung 65" LED

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    Yamaha A-S501, Auralic Aries Mini, LSiM 703s

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  • rburgess714
    rburgess714 Posts: 616
    Clipdat wrote: »
    FestYboy wrote: »
    It can, as it's severe distortion, so be mindful of your volume. As a temporary fix, I've had good luck removing the source from the integrated and rapidly sweeping the affected pot through it's full range several times with the unit powered on.

    As long as your power amp is not turned on this should be fine to do. And if it's a typical scratchy pot, then the preamp power shouldn't have to be on either for this temporary fix to work.

    Curious to hear how Parasound handles this.

    I just muted the Aries lightning app and rotated the knob back and forth. Will post the outcome of Parasound support.
    Living Room
    Parasound HINT 6, Yamaha Aventage RX-A 1060, Oppo 103D, Cambridge Audio Azur 851N, KLH Model 5s, Polk CSi A6, Samsung 65" LED

    Office
    Yamaha A-S501, Auralic Aries Mini, LSiM 703s

    Douglas Connection ICs and Cables
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,934
    rburgess714 wrote: »
    I just muted the Aries lightning app and rotated the knob back and forth. Will post the outcome of Parasound support.

    Free or heavily discounted upgrade to the P6 would be sweet. ;)
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  • rburgess714
    rburgess714 Posts: 616
    Clipdat wrote: »
    Yeah, I know. Just wishful thinking.


    Well to answer your question about support, I emailed support late last night and the President of Parasound responded first thing this morning with a personal email saying they would take care of it. I would say that’s first rate customer service.
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  • rburgess714
    rburgess714 Posts: 616
    Happy to report that Parasound support is outstanding. They received my P5 late last Wednesday, replaced the volume pot and it was delivered to me today. That’s fast. Very impressed with their customer service.
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    Parasound HINT 6, Yamaha Aventage RX-A 1060, Oppo 103D, Cambridge Audio Azur 851N, KLH Model 5s, Polk CSi A6, Samsung 65" LED

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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,934
    Very nice. Glad you got your gear back safely and all fixed up!
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  • rburgess714
    rburgess714 Posts: 616
    DSkip wrote: »
    I told you they'd stand up and take care of you. Parasound is a first rate company.

    You were right, have been thus far :)
    I’m officially a Fan boy
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