Brunt Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Sup dudes, I have an annoying problem I can't fix. I recently bought 3 Audiosource 100 amps and I run them bridged, one to each of my front stage. My issue is, no matter how I power them, no matter the combination of power strips, power conditioner, even powering them with an outlet from a different room...I can't get rid of the loud, nasty, scratchy popping sound every time I power up the amps. It's so bad it sounds as if it's going to cause damage to my speakers. First, what, if anything can I try to fix this? Second, would a better 3 or 5 channel amp like the Emotiva XPA3 or 5 not have an issue like this due to higher quality electronics? Keep in mind, the AUTO ON feature with these Audiosource amps doesn't really work so that is not an option. It really sucks, because the actual performance of these things is great for the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornfedksboy Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Sorry to hear about your problem! Hopefully one of the brilliant members of this forum can be of assistance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironsave Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Have you tried powering them on first; and then your Preamp last? (I am not sure if this would work; just asking). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonJCarney Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 The emotiva's won't make that sound. Not sure if it's a higher quality issue though. My promedia used to pop when I turned them on until I started powering down the source audio first and powering it on second. If you turn the amps on first and then turn on your Onkyo do you still get the popping? Also try turning your onkyo volume all the way down before you shut it off. When you power your amps on and then the onkyo (at the lowest volume setting) do you still get the pop? I can't help with what the actual problem may be. These are just the work arounds I use on my promedia's to keep them from popping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironsave Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 The emotiva's won't make that sound. Not sure if it's a higher quality issue though. My promedia used to pop when I turned them on until I started powering down the source audio first and powering it on second. If you turn the amps on first and then turn on your Onkyo do you still get the popping? Also try turning your onkyo volume all the way down before you shut it off. When you power your amps on and then the onkyo (at the lowest volume setting) do you still get the pop? I can't help with what the actual problem may be. These are just the work arounds I use on my promedia's to keep them from popping. Ha! Beat you to it! [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brunt Posted August 11, 2011 Author Share Posted August 11, 2011 Doesn't matter. If nothing is on and I turn amps on first they still make bad sounds. Or if Avr is on and then I turn them on they still make unpleasant sounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironsave Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 This may not be an accepted practice, but are the amps grounded? (3 prong plugs).If so; have you tried cheater plugs (3 prong to 2 prong). This can help isolate the issue. (If the sound disappears with the cheater plugs; it is a grounding issue). I do not know if there is an issue running them like this for good........ (Might be ok; IDK). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brunt Posted August 11, 2011 Author Share Posted August 11, 2011 This may not be an accepted practice, but are the amps grounded? (3 prong plugs).If so; have you tried cheater plugs (3 prong to 2 prong). This can help isolate the issue. (If the sound disappears with the cheater plugs; it is a grounding issue). I do not know if there is an issue running them like this for good........ (Might be ok; IDK). Amps have 2 prong plugs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironsave Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Well, there goes that suggestion........ The only other thing that comes to mind is leaving them on all the time; but not sure if this would shorten lifespan; etc....... Bad idea...... You could have your speakers blow if the amp does and even start a fire......... Have you contacted the manufacturer? (I would; and I would let them know you are pissed).......... Also; have you tried muting the Onkyo before you turn them on? (Doubt that will work). There has to be a way to mute the amps for 5 seconds while you turn them on......... Is there a way to attach a grounding strap from each amps' chassis to a good ground? I am sorry; I am out of ideas besides contacting the manufacturer and straps....... Good Luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechnut Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Old worn out relays in the amps?? Is it just the amps that make the noise or does it make the speakers pop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonJCarney Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 The OP wrote that the noise is coming from the speakers not the amps. Seems like you have a couple ideas to try. Let us know if they work.[pi] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brunt Posted August 11, 2011 Author Share Posted August 11, 2011 Amps are new and the noise I have been referring to is coming from the speakers. Never had a sound like this when onkyo powered the speakers. Any thoughts on build quality...especially when compared to some nicer amps? I hope I can fix this but I am cautiously optimistic when these amps are $85 a piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechnut Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Have you tried them unbridged for s**** and grins? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brunt Posted August 11, 2011 Author Share Posted August 11, 2011 Have you tried them unbridged for s**** and grins? No...mostly because unbridged drops wattage to 50w. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironsave Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Have you tried them unbridged for s**** and grins? No...mostly because unbridged drops wattage to 50w. Beechnut may have a point....... Perhaps the popping is due to your configuration...... (Again; this could be a grounding issue). I suggest trying them unbridged to see if the symptoms disappear in this configuration........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Once you identify your problem, ALWAYS turn your amps on last and turn them off first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Blacksmith Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Once you identify your problem, ALWAYS turn your amps on last and turn them off first.+1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brunt Posted August 12, 2011 Author Share Posted August 12, 2011 Have you tried them unbridged for s**** and grins? No...mostly because unbridged drops wattage to 50w. Beechnut may have a point....... Perhaps the popping is due to your configuration...... (Again; this could be a grounding issue). I suggest trying them unbridged to see if the symptoms disappear in this configuration........ If it proves anything...what's the fix at that point, different amp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechnut Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Without knowing much about the amp, if it worked in stereo and not in bridged, I'd take another look at how I wired it and ensure I bridged it properly. If it was bridged properly and stereo worked but bridged didn't...I'm going through all the instructions to make sure I didn't miss something. Then, I'd probably do some of what you've done already in swaptronics. Try to find known good combinations and start layering them in. You did some of that with the power strips. Maybe, speaker cables, speakers....different AVR...etc. Frustraighting I know [:@] And BTW, swaptronics is a poor man's way to troubleshoot and takes a risk of damaging things. We've all done it, but I'd be remise to not say so. Multimeter with an ohm meter, volt meter, and diode checker goes a long way for checking cables. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironsave Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 If you get no cracking unbridged...... You either need to run them as 50wpc single; or yeah.... different amps. (Or accept the possibility of damaging speakers). I seriously would contact the manufacturer........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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