Amp causing distortion?

[byuga]

Hey everyone, so I purchased a liquid spark to use with my hd 599s (yes I know these don't need an amp but I got it for future headphones I'll own)

It's been working fine with it for a month or so but now I get occasional bass distortion in my right ear cup. Sometimes it happens, sometimes its crystal clear. The thing is it doesn't only happen with my 599s but also with my 1more triple driver over ear. I find it usually starts happening when I turn the volume knob close to half way then it starts distorting like no tomorrow.

By the way I'm not using any external DAC, just my onboard in my PC.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Hey everyone, so I purchased a liquid spark to use with my hd 599s (yes I know these don't need an amp but I got it for future headphones I'll own)

It's been working fine with it for a month or so but now I get occasional bass distortion in my right ear cup. Sometimes it happens, sometimes its crystal clear. The thing is it doesn't only happen with my 599s but also with my 1more triple driver over ear. I find it usually starts happening when I turn the volume knob close to half way then it starts distorting like no tomorrow.

By the way I'm not using any external DAC, just my onboard in my PC.

If you hook it up direct to the PC and don't get that distortion, even if you have to turn it down (assuming your motherboard's audio clip will clip or audibly distort first), then the problem is in the amp.

Also how exactly does it work with the volume knob? Just as long as you set it that high, or it comes in whenever you move the knob? If it's the latter it can be a dirty pot, but if it's the former it's likely your amp is just distorting at that output level.Since it only happens on the same channel and not across both, it's likely that amp is faulty than that the design makes for insufficient power outright. Have it replaced if you still can.

 

[byuga]

If you hook it up direct to the PC and don't get that distortion, even if you have to turn it down (assuming your motherboard's audio clip will clip or audibly distort first), then the problem is in the amp.

Also how exactly does it work with the volume knob? Just as long as you set it that high, or it comes in whenever you move the knob? If it's the latter it can be a dirty pot, but if it's the former it's likely your amp is just distorting at that output level.Since it only happens on the same channel and not across both, it's likely that amp is faulty than that the design makes for insufficient power outright. Have it replaced if you still can.

Yeah, so it only distorts once it reaches a certain threshold, so I would say when I turn the volume knob to around 11 o'clock when using the triple drivers. Weirdly enough my 599s very rarely distort at that level but my triple driver consistently does.

 

[Claypole]

Are your sure it's your gear that's distorting? I've had the issue myself and it turns out the hearing in my right ear can get a bit distorted at too high a volume.

 

[byuga]

Are your sure it's your gear that's distorting? I've had the issue myself and it turns out the hearing in my right ear can get a bit distorted at too high a volume.

It's for sure the gear. It's a very distnict distortion sound, it sounds like it's coming straight of the cup. Besides I've always had very good hearing don't see why it would become an issue now. I don't usually listen at high volumes either.

 

[go_vtec]

It's for sure the gear. It's a very distnict distortion sound, it sounds like it's coming straight of the cup. Besides I've always had very good hearing don't see why it would become an issue now. I don't usually listen at high volumes either.

Perhaps you can do some diagnosis to rule out certain things. If you are able, swap the channel going from your PC to the amp to see if you can replicate the problem with the other earcup. I am assuming whatever music you are listening has very similar left and right tracks sound/loudness wise. If distortion can be replicated on the opposite side due to channel swap, then the problem can be the PC or the cable from PC. If you still hear the distortion on the same right side on two different headphones regardless, then the problem is your AMP.

 

[byuga]

Perhaps you can do some diagnosis to rule out certain things. If you are able, swap the channel going from your PC to the amp to see if you can replicate the problem with the other earcup. I am assuming whatever music you are listening has very similar left and right tracks sound/loudness wise. If distortion can be replicated on the opposite side due to channel swap, then the problem can be the PC or the cable from PC. If you still hear the distortion on the same right side on two different headphones regardless, then the problem is your AMP.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by swap channels? could you explain in more detail? do you mean switch the cable?

 

[go_vtec]

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by swap channels? could you explain in more detail? do you mean switch the cable?

I said "swap" the channels. You have a pair of white (left channel) and red (right channel) RCA cable plugged at the back of the amp from your PC. Swap the left and right channels on your amp by plugging in red RCA male jack/terminal from your PC to the white RCA female jack on your amp and white RCA male jack from your PC to red RCA female jack on your amp so that your PC's left channel is now playing with right channel of your amp and vice versa for your right channel. The whole point is you want to see if your amp is at fault or your have some issues with your PC (or possibly with your cable). If the noise or distortion is still with your right channel, then you can rule out the problem with your PC and PC-to-AMP cable.

 

[go_vtec]

Since you said you can hear the distortions on two different listening devices (headphones and IEMs) on the right channel, you can "sort of" rule out your have problem(s) with your headphones or IEMs. If the distortions can still be heard only on the right channel after you swap the input channels, you can pretty much confirm that you have an issue with the amp. If the distortions can be heard to the left channel, then your problem is most likely your PC, not your amp.

 

[byuga]

I said "swap" the channels. You have a pair of white (left channel) and red (right channel) RCA cable plugged at the back of the amp from your PC. Swap the left and right channels on your amp by plugging in red RCA male jack/terminal from your PC to the white RCA female jack on your amp and white RCA male jack from your PC to red RCA female jack on your amp so that your PC's left channel is now playing with right channel of your amp and vice versa for your right channel. The whole point is you want to see if your amp is at fault or your have some issues with your PC (or possibly with your cable). If the noise or distortion is still with your right channel, then you can rule out the problem with your PC and PC-to-AMP cable.

Ok so I swapped the cables now the red one is in the the white output and white jack is in the red output. I still get distortion in my right ear.

 

[go_vtec]

Ok so I swapped the cables now the red one is in the the white output and white jack is in the red output. I still get distortion in my right ear.

Think "garbage in and garbage out." In your case, a possible distortion in and distortion out! You want to determine if your PC is generating intermittent distortion and feeding distorted input (your right channel) to your amp or not. If you are feeding a presumably clean "left" channel signal from PC to your amp's right channel, and you can still hear distortion on your right channel, then your amp is generating distortions. If the distortion can be heard from left channel, you can now assume that you have been feeding intermittent distortion from your PC to your amp.

Since you are hearing distortion consistently on your right channel, you have a faulty amp. Time to call in for warranty repair (if it is under warranty) or trouble shoot to replace troubled/damaged part(s). How handy are you with the electronics?

 

[byuga]

You have a faulty amp. Time to call in for warranty repair (if it is under warranty) or trouble shoot to replace troubled/damaged part(s). How handy are you with the electronics?

Unfortunately not at all, I'll have to send it to get it fixed or replaced then. It's covered for 3 years so I should be good

 

[go_vtec]

Unfortunately not at all, I'll have to send it to get it fixed or replaced then. It's covered for 3 years so I should be good

Wow, that was pretty fast reply. Good luck in your repair!

 

[byuga]

Wow, that was pretty fast reply. Good luck in your repair!

Haha thanks for the info!

 

[zazex]

Hey everyone, so I purchased a liquid spark to use with my hd 599s (yes I know these don't need an amp but I got it for future headphones I'll own)

It's been working fine with it for a month or so but now I get occasional bass distortion in my right ear cup. Sometimes it happens, sometimes its crystal clear. The thing is it doesn't only happen with my 599s but also with my 1more triple driver over ear. I find it usually starts happening when I turn the volume knob close to half way then it starts distorting like no tomorrow.

By the way I'm not using any external DAC, just my onboard in my PC.

First, turn down the volume everywhere.

Next, check that all connections (card, cables...all) are firmly seated.

Please note that this type of "intermittent" problem is generally the most
challenging to sort out.

My guesses, based on your description, is that your amp is being driven into
clipping distortion. If not, then it seems like something - not sure exactly what -
is wrong with your amp. But before packing it and sending it for diagnosis,
I'd call the manufacturer. Many have tech departments that can help you
suss out the problem over the phone. (I'd phone rather than email in this instance.)

Another possible solution is to pick up some DeOxit 5 spray. If there is any crud,
dirt, corrosion or what have you, this is the industry standard for taking care of it
in the first instance.

If you have a moment, please post the results of your efforts.

Cheers,