Power Problem

[Adam D]

I'm wondering if anyone can help me out with a problem I'm having:

About six months ago, I bought a new Onkyo receiver (TX-SR701) to drive my
VAF speakers. I haven't had any problems with it until recently, when I
began to notice very intermittent audio dropouts (once or twice in a short
period, and then none for maybe 5 - 30 minutes), usually accompanied by the
rough crackle that usually suggests a loose cable or connection. All the
external cables were fine. My DVD player sends its analogue output to the
television, and the digital to the amp; the TV sound wasn't affected,
although once or twice I noticed a minor flicker in the tv picture
coinciding with the dropout. I have a sub/sat system with a digital input,
but wasn't able to reproduce the problem using that, so I figured it must be
an issue with the amp (dismissing the odd tv flicker).

However, I now think I've been able to reproduce the problem by switching on
or off certain powerpoints in the same room, or plugging or unplugging other
devices (another stereo, for example). This problem doesn't affect the
sub/sat, and although I haven't noticed any interference on the tv yet, I
figure this is almost certainly the cause.

Can anyone suggest what I need to fix the problem? Is the problem likely a
fault with the power circuit, in which case I should buy a surge-protector
powerboard, or some other form of filter? Or is the amp not handling normal
power fluctuations as it should, in which case I should get it looked at?
After all, I haven't noticed any problems with other devices on the same
circuit.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks,

Adam

Remove the "no-spam-" when replying directly.

[Phil Allison]

"Adam D" <adamday@no-spam-newave.net.au> wrote in message
news:4008a815@duster.adelaide.on.net...
> I'm wondering if anyone can help me out with a problem I'm having:
>
> About six months ago, I bought a new Onkyo receiver (TX-SR701) to drive my
> VAF speakers. I haven't had any problems with it until recently, when I
> began to notice very intermittent audio dropouts (once or twice in a short
> period, and then none for maybe 5 - 30 minutes), usually accompanied by
the
> rough crackle that usually suggests a loose cable or connection. All the
> external cables were fine. My DVD player sends its analogue output to the
> television, and the digital to the amp; the TV sound wasn't affected,
> although once or twice I noticed a minor flicker in the tv picture
> coinciding with the dropout. I have a sub/sat system with a digital input,
> but wasn't able to reproduce the problem using that, so I figured it must
be
> an issue with the amp (dismissing the odd tv flicker).
>
> However, I now think I've been able to reproduce the problem by switching
on
> or off certain powerpoints in the same room, or plugging or unplugging
other
> devices (another stereo, for example). This problem doesn't affect the
> sub/sat, and although I haven't noticed any interference on the tv yet, I
> figure this is almost certainly the cause.
>
> Can anyone suggest what I need to fix the problem? Is the problem likely a
> fault with the power circuit, in which case I should buy a surge-protector
> powerboard, or some other form of filter? Or is the amp not handling
normal
> power fluctuations as it should, in which case I should get it looked at?
> After all, I haven't noticed any problems with other devices on the same
> circuit.



** Check you fuse box - there is likely a loose or hot running fuse or
circuit breaker.

If you find the offender, either replace it or maybe try cleaning the
contacts with small file.

BTW Try a desk lamp ( not a fluoro) on the same power point to see if
it blinks.




............ Phil

[Adam D]

> Do you only get the dropouts when you're listening to the DVD player? Is
> your DVD player connected to the AMP via coax or optical. If coax you may
> need to get a better cable. SPDIF has no error correction and any
> interference will cause the signal to drop out. Cheap coax interconnects
> don't shield very well and can pick up interference from things being
> switched off and on.

Well, I can't replicate the problem when listening to the integrated tuner,
but the moment I switch to the DVD, the problem reappears. I'm using a thin
and nasty composite coax cable to connect the two. I always figured that
with a digital signal over a short distance I wouldn't need to buy a proper
shielded cable; now I know differently!

> I was using a cheap RCA video lead for my digital coax connection until I
> got it set up in its final configuration. It would pick up interference
> when lights were switched off or on. Now I've replaced it with RG6 quad
> shielded, I have not experienced one dropout.

Thanks for that. It sounds like I've got the same problem. Time to go out
and buy a decent coax cable.

Cheers,

Adam

[Adam F]

"Adam D" <adamday@no-spam-newave.net.au> wrote in message
news:4008a815@duster.adelaide.on.net...
> I'm wondering if anyone can help me out with a problem I'm having:
> Any help is appreciated. Thanks,
>
> Adam
>


Sounds as though it only happens when the power circuit is fully loaded (ie
system incl. tv is all going at once) - and as you say the Onkyo is probably
the most sensitive component. Perhaps you could try with just the source,
onkyo and 2 speakers? If that works fine, you'll know it's def. the mains,
in which case you'll have to spring for an electrician I guess.

HTH

Adam F

[Adam D]

> Sounds as though it only happens when the power circuit is fully loaded
(ie
> system incl. tv is all going at once) - and as you say the Onkyo is
probably
> the most sensitive component. Perhaps you could try with just the source,
> onkyo and 2 speakers? If that works fine, you'll know it's def. the mains,
> in which case you'll have to spring for an electrician I guess.

It actually happens all the time, regardless of the load, so it seems. By
switching on and off other points, I've been able to replicate it with just
the DVD player (source) and amplifier running at once - everything else on
the same circuit (that I'm aware of) off.

I'll pick up a good shileded coax cable first thing tomorrow and see how
that goes.

Cheers,

Adam