Clicks 'n pops

[Dik Dolan]

Hi folks,
This isn't strictly a WD related problem, but..
My system (now tweaked and sounding better than ever) picks up clicks and pops from things like light switches, even my amp on/off switch. I beleive it's RFI, not mains directly..... even the neighbours turning on a light in their flat next door can send a click through my speakers some times.

I have tried a "Tacima" filter/surge mains distrubution block- didnt help. I have tried shielded interconnects (shield connected to one end only)- no help.

If I disconnect the interconnects from my amp, no clicks. If I then re-insert them into my amp but not into a source, I get a slight hum, and a slight reduction in "clicks" volume when I work the light switch.
I believe that the "correct" approach it to "fix" the noisy causes, but I can hardly go next door and replace all his light switches, can I=)

I have tried connecting an earth lead from the binding posts of the WD pre3/phono3 and to my amps binding post- no change.
Setting the pre3 to an unused input- no change. Volume control position makes no difference to the loudness of the clicks.

I didn't notice any clicks and pops with a previous preamp (tvc type), so I was wondering, is it an earthing problem? The pre3's phono outputs aren't directly earthed to the case or the earth binding post.......would connecting an earth to them help? or cause more problems?

Only test equipment I own is a DMM- any measurements I can take? Interconnects are 1m phono, currently unshielded type (shielding made no difference).

I do have a lenght of WD ICT that I will be making up into a lead to try between pre and amp- would it be better to connect the shield to BOTH ends, to see if that helps?

Any other ideas?

I should add, I'm very very happy with my system (Glasshouse 300b, WD pre3/phono3/gyrodec), this is the last minor annoyance that I want to fix on my road to prefection=)

I get virtually no hum- I have to stick my ear right next to the speakers to hear the faintest tiniest bit of noise. It's just the random clicks n pops that make me jump and drag me away from the beauty of the music just as I'm drifiting.....

[Richard]

Hi Dik,

A couple of thoughts, discard them if they don't apply,

All items in the chain should be earthed. Best way to avoid hum loops when doing this is by taking them all to one point, usually the power amp, which is then earthed to mains earth.

Go for one earth connection for each item, either via the phono lead shield or via a separate earth lead (but not both) and then don't use the mains earth for those items.

Use shielded interconnects (either with the shield connected one or both ends depending on the above method of earthing). Unshielded may be the cause as the input impedance is high and will be very sensitive to rfi.

You mention it being a flat. I'd try and get the mains checked for a good earth.

Do the Glasshouses have a feedback loop? Sometimes clicks come in the speaker leads, not a problem if it doesn't have fb.

Sometimes airbourne clicks come down the mains wiring. The simple mains filter in the faq fitted to the backs of the mains iec sockets works very well for this and is non-inductive type.

Rich

[Shian7]

Hi Dik,

Let me know if you want to try Richards suggestion below:

Originally Posted by Richard

Sometimes airborne clicks come down the mains wiring. The simple mains filter in the FAQ fitted to the backs of the mains Ice sockets works very well for this and is non-inductive type.Rich

I've just ordered the necessary parts from RS and will have surplus!

Cheers,
Mike.

...BTW... The RS part number listed in the FAQ for the varistor is discontinued, the suggested replacement (by RS) is part no. 229-056

[Dik Dolan]

Thanks for the suggestions =)
The Glasshouse has no feedback loop (its a 300b set amp). I did try a sheilded interconnect, that made no difference.
I get no mains hum, just the clicks n pops from switches being er....... switched.

All components are earthed, and all (Amp, WD psu and psu for my gyrodec) plug into one 4-way mains block, then a longish lead to the wall socket.

Richards suggestion of a filter in my amp sounds worth a try, so yes please Mike, if you have some surplus. Please let me know how much and I'll stick a cheque in the post........ Did you get the cheque for the mica caps btw?

I did try a Tacima mains block that has filtering/surge suppression etc, even tried tacima shielded mains leads. No difference, but the tacima mains block did things to the sound that I wasnt keen on.
What surprised me was when I disconnected the phono leads into my amp, no more clicks, so I assume its external to that.... but with the phono lead into the amp- but not connected to anything, I get a slight hum, and the clicks are there, but reduced in volume. When I plug the phono leads from amp back into my pre3, even with the pre3 turned off, no hum, but the clicks are loud (as usual). This lead me to assume it was signal induced somewhere, not mains.

[Shian7]

Dik,

You have pm.

Mike.

[Dik Dolan]

Cheers Mike=)

[Sid and Coke]

Originally Posted by Dik Dolan

What surprised me was when I disconnected the phono leads into my amp, no more clicks, so I assume its external to that.... but with the phono lead into the amp- but not connected to anything, I get a slight hum, and the clicks are there, but reduced in volume. When I plug the phono leads from amp back into my pre3, even with the pre3 turned off, no hum, but the clicks are loud (as usual). This lead me to assume it was signal induced somewhere, not mains.

Try another Phono stage.

I suffered from all of the same symptoms that you currently have, however I found that the noise was being introduced via Phono input`. This problem has driven me literally up the wall for several years, however not any more.

Phono stages that i personally tried and found picked up these clicks and pops include;
NAD PP1
Pro-Ject Phono Box
Rotel RC-1070 pre-amp (internal phono stage)
Graham Slee GA2 ( plastic body - also picked up Mobile phone noise ! )
Tandy battery operated Phono stage
Musical Fidelity X-LPS

Phono stages that I've tried and didn't pick up clicks and pops ( were impressively totally immune to them ! ) ;

Rotel RQ970BX
Cambridge Audio 640P
Rotel RHQ10 Michi ( currently in use )

[Dik Dolan]

I don't think it's the phonostage- well- I hope not. It's a nice new shiny WD phono kit, and I havent heard any other reports of them picking up these noises. I havent tried disconnecting the phono from the pre3 yet, to see if that stops it..but I'd be surprised if it made a difference...the pre3 input relays earth all "not selected" inputs, and I still get clicks etc with a different unused input selected.
It'll be interesting to see if the filter in the FAQ section helps...but where best to put that? the psu for the pre/phono, or the amp..or both? i'll find out soon=)

[systemx]

Don't be so sure it's not mains borne, My WD88xl suffered a similar prob, and it was feed from a filter supply which made no differance. In my case it turned out to be the fridge. If the clicks etc are loud, then it is likely to be something in your home, thermostats, central heating etc so have a good look.

Terry