Amplifier right output says 'Snap, Crackle, Pop'

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geekIT

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#127336 7-Aug-2013 08:52

Amplifier: Vector Research AM\FM Stereo Receiver VRX-2700

This oldie is linked to the 'sound-out' socket of my desktop computer tower and drives a couple of equally old Wharfdale speakers.

Last couple of months, the right channel has started 'crackling'.

It's not the right speaker, because if the speakers (choice of A or B sets) are turned off, and a headphone plugged in, the same noise comes through the right-hand earpiece.

It's not the volume control because rotating it doesn't change anything.

My guess is that the right channel output circuit is duff.

Problem:
1) It's probably not worth spending a lot on this unit, besides...
2) Queenstown (Otago, NZ) is woefully short of amplifier fixers.

Does anyone have a suggestion about what I might do to fix this problem?

I'm an IT serviceman, so I know a bit about motherboards, and I'm reasonably handy with a soldering iron, but that's the extent of my expertise.

Advice appreciated.

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kiwitrc

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#872996 7-Aug-2013 09:06

Have you determined if its the PC or the amp? If you swap the left and right inputs to the amp over does the noise move as well?

geekIT

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#873072 7-Aug-2013 11:27

Thanks, Kiwitrc. Like the sound arrangements on many basic computers, there's only a single output socket (usually green) on the motherboard, with the cable splitting into two channels at the amp end.

However, I doubt it's the source of the problem, because I have two computer towers connected to the amp\receiver (outputting to AV\TAPE1 and 2) and both display the same behavior - crackling on right channel.

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andrewNZ

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#873088 7-Aug-2013 11:45

So it still could be the cable. Have you tried a different cable, or swapping the left and right plugs to see if the problem moves to the left speaker.

B1GGLZ

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#873167 7-Aug-2013 13:06

andrewNZ: So it still could be the cable. Have you tried a different cable, or swapping the left and right plugs to see if the problem moves to the left speaker.

And does it go away if you disconnect the inputs (at the amp not the Laptop).

geekIT

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#873194 7-Aug-2013 13:53

AndrewNZ: What I'm saying is that there are two towers, each connected with its own stereo cable. It seems highly coincidental that both motherboards in both towers and both cables could have the identical fault.

B1GGLZ: No, haven't tried that. Will do tonite.

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kiwitrc

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#873205 7-Aug-2013 14:01

B1GGLZ:
andrewNZ: So it still could be the cable. Have you tried a different cable, or swapping the left and right plugs to see if the problem moves to the left speaker.

And does it go away if you disconnect the inputs (at the amp not the Laptop).

This is what I meant, but swap them over.

If two separate sources are doing it then its the amp.