[San Raal]

Hello,

I have a pair of RS-1 headphones that have developed a fault in the right channel. Normally I would simply send these back for repair - however this is the second time this fault has occured with this set of headphones.

As I live in the UK usually the repair time is 8-12 weeks so I dont want to get them fixed and find the same fault happen again - could this be another aspect of my system? Or just sheer coincidence?

The first time the right channel failed were when the headphones were less than a week old - at that time I was using a Benchmark DAC1 connected via my PC.

Since then Ive added a record player and a Mapletree Ear amplifier to my system that I use and the fault has re-appeared after 6 months of use.

I dont listen to particularly bassy music or have the volume cranked up loud so Im puzzled as to what could be causing this ??

Any insights or tests that anyone could suggest would be appreciated

I do have access to proffesional audio oscillators/monitors from work if thats of any help in fault finding?

Thanks

 

[vcoheda]

that's really odd. makes me think that either you are somehow shorting out the channel or the headphone - maybe wiring - is defective.

did you purchase them new or used.

 

[San Raal]

Purchased new

I think I should clarify - the fault is a buzzing in the right ear with low frequencies under 200 Hz

 

[Bizzel]

Do you plug them in with the amp already turned on?

 

[vcoheda]

do you hear the buzz out of other headphone jacks or only the mapletree.

is there a gain setting on the mapletree.

 

[San Raal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bizzel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Do you plug them in with the amp already turned on?

Ive done that once or twice to reorganise the cabling.

I get the issue with the mapletree and the DAC1S headphone ports. The mapltree doesnt have a secondary gain only a main volume that is usually set to 9 oclock for comfortable listening.

 

[Televator]

this isn't perhaps the famous Grattle (Grado rattle) caused by a hair stuck against the driver (behind the cloth screen) which causes a low rattle on bass notes?

this is easily solved by a slightly sucking (just search for Grattle and you'll get complete descriptions how to do this)

 

[San Raal]

Thanks for the tip

I blew gently into the driver and the rattling subsided but was still present and some frequencies.

Very strange in fact - At 50 Hz nothing

I adjusted my test oscillator to 60Hz nothing, 70 Nothing... then I hit 100Hz and they rattled, as I brought it back down through 60 and 70Hz it rattled at frequencies that it did not before

So I blew a little harder and I was able to get rid of the rattle - but every so often it can still come back.

Sounds like a case of the aforementioned grattles - is there a way to permanently remove the hairs from the chamber?

Long term I guess its time either for a hair net or go bald

anything for that pure head-fi sound

 

[vcoheda]

so it's just a stray hair or two.

 

[Televator]

When I experienced Grattle(tm) in my SR-60 and MS2i, I used to suck gently (in stead of blowing) and after a couple of tries, there was one hair less behind the cloth screen and one more in my mouth

 

[San Raal]

Next time I experience Grattle Ill try that method instead - for the time being both RS-1s and I are happy.

Youve saved me a needless lengthy return - thankyou

 

[Televator]

glad to be of help... enjoy those brilliant headphones and stick around!

...I would say "sorry for your wallet", but you have got the RS-1 already