Hey guys, I have a problem I can't figure out.
I haven't had any problems at all with my system until just the other day when a friend asked me to give him a review on a bass CD he made in his studio.
On the low frequency tracks at a low volume, when I turn the volume up every time the volume 'clicks' up with the rotation of the volume knob the speakers thump, but only when playing a low frequency track.
I assume this is just a spike caused by the volume increasing. Has anyone had this problem before? I really don't want to take everything apart to check the grounds and all, but this is kinda annoying.
Replies (7)
swez on 01/1/2007 21:54:43
Does this problem continue when using your normal CD's? If not, am wondering if his home brew CD has some glitches in it???
Swez
cplkittle on 01/1/2007 22:11:27
It does not do it on music CDs, only bass tracks. Or maybe I can't tell on music CDs. I tried listening for it on regular music, but I couldn't tell. All of my bass CDs do it now, but only on the pure tones between 25-45 HZ where the 12's pick up the best. I don't know if it always did it or not, I just noticed it a few days ago.
it is more than a noticeable step up in volume, I hear the step up, but it is accented with a thump.
Another thing I noticed while playing a 33Hz test track ( solid 33Hz for 4 mintues) was that after I reach a certain volume (on my radio 20 is the loudest I ever play it. after 16 or 17 there is no increase in volume on the subs) Let's say after I reach 10 on the volume, each incremental increase seems to change pitch and when I hit 14 and the lights start to dim a little the pitch changes alot unless I give it a little gas and kick up the alt. I would guess that volume 16 would be around 140dB at 33Hz if that helps any.
swez on 01/2/2007 18:30:55
Hummm, this is a pretty unusual condition. Only on low bass tracks, the woofers have an audible thump, each time you kick up the volume control on the HU? (Do I have this correct?)
Do you have a remote card that allows you to kick up the volume w/o touching the volume knob? Does the same noise happen when using a remote control card?
Admittedly, am fishing in the dark here at the moment, but there may be a method to this madness later. Say more OK? Is this a newer HU or one you have used for some time?
Swez
cplkittle on 01/2/2007 22:33:19
I haven't tried the remote yet.. didn't think about that. The HU is 3 years old now Alpine CDA 9835.
I am thinking it has to be within the HU. The volume knob has soft stop spots kinda like a click, but real subtle when you turn the knob. So it is not a smooth glide pot. , rather a 10-15 degree turn brings it to its next seat type knob.
swez on 01/2/2007 22:54:50
Yeah, that's what I was thinking here... dirty contacts on the volume switches can produce odd things like this too. A good shot of WD-40 or tuner cleaner (solvent) may be all that's needed here.
This kind of volume knob has detents as we switch from one contact pad to another. Over time, crud can build up on them and might be the source of all this too??? The older style carbon resistor pots are famous for making noise when they get cruddy. The same can be said for detent type rotory switches too.
Comments?
Swez
cplkittle on 01/3/2007 01:54:59
I will try that tomorrow and let you know how it turned out for future reference. I think the neighbors might take offence to 33Hz at 2am.
ShootuhMcBustaCap on 01/3/2007 06:28:32
Funny thing Kit, My Alpine H/U does the same thing, but it does it on low frequency basslines in actual music. I'm sure that if I used bass test music this would be me more noticable as this is very faint. My Alpine is about the same age as yours too. I still love it, And it's not going anywhere anytime soon.
I haven't had any problems at all with my system until just the other day when a friend asked me to give him a review on a bass CD he made in his studio.
On the low frequency tracks at a low volume, when I turn the volume up every time the volume 'clicks' up with the rotation of the volume knob the speakers thump, but only when playing a low frequency track.
I assume this is just a spike caused by the volume increasing. Has anyone had this problem before? I really don't want to take everything apart to check the grounds and all, but this is kinda annoying.
Replies (7)
swez on 01/1/2007 21:54:43
Does this problem continue when using your normal CD's? If not, am wondering if his home brew CD has some glitches in it???
Swez
cplkittle on 01/1/2007 22:11:27
It does not do it on music CDs, only bass tracks. Or maybe I can't tell on music CDs. I tried listening for it on regular music, but I couldn't tell. All of my bass CDs do it now, but only on the pure tones between 25-45 HZ where the 12's pick up the best. I don't know if it always did it or not, I just noticed it a few days ago.
it is more than a noticeable step up in volume, I hear the step up, but it is accented with a thump.
Another thing I noticed while playing a 33Hz test track ( solid 33Hz for 4 mintues) was that after I reach a certain volume (on my radio 20 is the loudest I ever play it. after 16 or 17 there is no increase in volume on the subs) Let's say after I reach 10 on the volume, each incremental increase seems to change pitch and when I hit 14 and the lights start to dim a little the pitch changes alot unless I give it a little gas and kick up the alt. I would guess that volume 16 would be around 140dB at 33Hz if that helps any.
swez on 01/2/2007 18:30:55
Hummm, this is a pretty unusual condition. Only on low bass tracks, the woofers have an audible thump, each time you kick up the volume control on the HU? (Do I have this correct?)
Do you have a remote card that allows you to kick up the volume w/o touching the volume knob? Does the same noise happen when using a remote control card?
Admittedly, am fishing in the dark here at the moment, but there may be a method to this madness later. Say more OK? Is this a newer HU or one you have used for some time?
Swez
cplkittle on 01/2/2007 22:33:19
I haven't tried the remote yet.. didn't think about that. The HU is 3 years old now Alpine CDA 9835.
I am thinking it has to be within the HU. The volume knob has soft stop spots kinda like a click, but real subtle when you turn the knob. So it is not a smooth glide pot. , rather a 10-15 degree turn brings it to its next seat type knob.
swez on 01/2/2007 22:54:50
Yeah, that's what I was thinking here... dirty contacts on the volume switches can produce odd things like this too. A good shot of WD-40 or tuner cleaner (solvent) may be all that's needed here.
This kind of volume knob has detents as we switch from one contact pad to another. Over time, crud can build up on them and might be the source of all this too??? The older style carbon resistor pots are famous for making noise when they get cruddy. The same can be said for detent type rotory switches too.
Comments?
Swez
cplkittle on 01/3/2007 01:54:59
I will try that tomorrow and let you know how it turned out for future reference. I think the neighbors might take offence to 33Hz at 2am.
ShootuhMcBustaCap on 01/3/2007 06:28:32
Funny thing Kit, My Alpine H/U does the same thing, but it does it on low frequency basslines in actual music. I'm sure that if I used bass test music this would be me more noticable as this is very faint. My Alpine is about the same age as yours too. I still love it, And it's not going anywhere anytime soon.
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