Faint cracking noise when playing low frequency bass

#1

Hi Rose moderator,

My configuration is R150 connected to Kinki Studio EX-M7 power amplifier by using a pair of balance cables. I listen to pop and rock music. When I play some tracks with low frequency bass, sometimes I hear faint cracking noise from the speakers. I need some guidance from you to trouble shoot this problem. Thanks!

#2

Hello,

There are different ways to help depending on what kind of noise it is.

  1. If it’s okay with you, could you please record it?
  2. Is it RS150 or RS150B?
  3. Would you let me know which song you played?
  4. How much was the volume? Do you hear noise even when the volume is turned down?

Best Regards,

#3

Hi Roseloa,

  1. Let me plan but I worry that the cracking noise was a bit low volume it may not come out. But I will try.
  2. It is R150.
  3. I played Linkin Park Shadow of the Day via Tidal MQA track. The cracking noise came out during the intro of the song in the rolling bass.
  4. My volume was at 45 - 49 as viewed from the R150. I have to try to play it at low volume and report to you later.

Thanks for responding. Really appreciate.

#4

Hello Roseloa,

For the item (1) you requested, I recorded it by my hand phone but I doubt of the quality of the recording. Can you show me how I can upload the recording to this chat?

For the item (4), I played at low volume and I still could hear it.

#5

Hello,

Would you check the message please?

#7

Hello,

I’m sorry but It’s really difficult to hear the noise from the file…
Do you ‘cache’ in TIDAL?
If so, would you try ‘clear cache’ and listen to the music again?
(RS150 > TIDAL > My Collection > Setting > Clear Cache)

#8

Hello ROSELOA,

I followed your guidance to check on my cache. In RS150 → TIDAL → My Collection → Setting, the display showed that Enable Cache was turned off. When I pushed the OFF button to ON, the RS150 replied that " To use the cache, You Must set an external storage path where the cache can be saved. Do you want to set this path?" Since I am not using any external storage path, so I answered “cancel” to leave this dialogue box.

Separately, I did some experiment with the Audio Setting → Volume Settings for each source, below is what I found out:

For source TIDAL, I set the volume setting at 0 dB, then I played the track (Linkin Park, Shadow of the Day MQA) at play volume at 50, I header the cracking noise.

For source TIDAL, I then set the volume setting at minus 10 dB, I played the same track (Linkin Park, Shadow of the Day MQA) at play volume at 50, the cracking noise was NOT heard. However, if I pushed the play volume to something like 65 to 70, the cracking noise started to show up.

With this new information, can you think of a resolution? Thanks a lot!

#9

Hello ROSLOA,

Let me re-type my new finding because I had a typo error:

For source TIDAL, I set the volume setting at 0 dB, then I played the track (Linkin Park, Shadow of the Day MQA) at play volume at 50, I HEARD the cracking noise.

For source TIDAL, I then set the volume setting at minus 10 dB, I played the same track (Linkin Park, Shadow of the Day MQA) at play volume 50, the cracking noise was NOT heard. However, if I pushed the play volume to something like 65 to 70, the cracking noise started to show up.

#10

Hello Roseloa,

Referring to my findings descripted above, do you have any suggestion for my problem?

I appreciate if you may have a look into this. Thanks a lot!

#11

Hello,

We tried your settings but couldn’t reproduce the noise.
I checked your amplifier’s manual and could find input sensitivity is ‘1.45 V RMS’.

So, would you try this?
RS150 > In/Out Settings > XLR/RCA menu > Preout level settings > 2000mV

With this setting, you cannot change the volume in RS150.
After setting this up, try using it by adjusting the volume on the amplifier.

#12

Hello ROSELOA,

Thank you for the reply.

Unfortunately, I connect the RS150 directly to the Kinki Studio EX-M7 Power Amplifier which has no pre-amplifier function because it is not an integrated amplifier so it does not have a volume controlling function, I can only use the RS150 to change the volume.

If I experiment it by setting the RS150 Pre-Out Level to 2000 mV, then is it safe for my speakers because I will have no means of turning the volume down? Can you confirm this before I carry out the experiment?

Thanks a lot for your patience to handle my problem. I hope we are getting close to a solution.

#13

Hello,

Input sensitivity is the maximum voltage strength of an input signal that an amplifier can handle and still produce unclipped full output . (google)
I’m not sure with your speaker as I don’t know what’s your speaker, and I’m sure your amplifier will be able to handle it.
If you’re anxious, you can start from the lowest value in this setting.
(ex-RS150 > In/Out Settings > XLR/RCA menu > Preout level settings > 500mV ~~)

#14

Hello ROSELOA,

For completion purpose, I am using ELAC Vela BS403 stand mount speakers.

I will experiment with the Pre-Out Level Settings this weekend and report the results next week.

Thanks a lot for your help!

#15

Hello ROSELOA,

I am sorry to ask one more question. Now with the input sensitivity of my power amplifier as 1.45V RMS, if I set the RS150 Pre-Out Level Setting to 2000 mV (i.e 2 V), does it mean the signal from the RS150 over-drive the power amp and may cause clipping and distorted sound? Is this the purpose of this experiment?

Hope you may clarify, thanks!

#16

Hello,

If you set a greater value than 1.45 V RMS on RS150, your amplifier can cause clipping noise.
Since there’re so many audio devices in the world, it’s hard to say which setting is the correct answer, but usually, people set preout level setting close to amplifier’s input sensitivity.
If you still have noise with 2000mV, please try 1000mV.

#17

Hello ROSELOA,

Thank you for the clarification. I will experiment this weekend and report to you next week of the result.

Thanks!

#18

My setup is
RS250 → avr denon x4500h analog-in → power amp ‘nubert nupower D’

Which input sensitivity is to note?
Avr or power amp?

Currently the preout level is set on maximum 2200mV and I have no clipping, but I don’t hear on maximum volume.

The avr manual says 200mV input sensitivity, for the power amp didn’t I find this attribute. If I set the preout level 200mV all is very silent and I have to turn volume level very high.

#19

Hello ROSELOA,

Below was what I experimented during the weekend:

(1). Music source by TIDAL: Eagles - The Long Run with MQA coding 192 kHz.

(2). Pre-Out Level Setting for Balanced Output.

200mV - Heard cracking noise
300mV - Heard cracking noise
400mV - Heard cracking noise
500mV - Heard cracking noise
1000mV - Heard cracking noise
2000mV - Heard cracking noise

It looks like the different values of Pre-Out Level did not make any difference, the problem of cracking noise ccontinues.

Do you have any idea?

Thanks!

#20

Hello,

Are you sure that you heard the noise even in 200mV?
The reason why I ask you is because 200mV is such a low volume, much lower volume than 45-50 that you did before.
(RS150 > In/Out Settings > XLR/RCA menu > Preout level settings > 500mV ~~)

After setting one of those mV, you must touch Apply on top right to apply.

#21

Hello ROSELOA,

Thank you for your reminder. I will experiment again this week to make sure the Pre Out Level Setting is APPLIED by touching the Apply button on the top right. I will report what I hear later.

Thanks!