Bottlehead Forum

Bottlehead Kits => Crack => Topic started by: Bullpride on May 14, 2020, 05:12:55 AM

Title: New build, No Sound (Help)
Post by: Bullpride on May 14, 2020, 05:12:55 AM
Build complete
All voltage and resistance checks done

Plugged RCAs into the PASS of my Liquid Carbon X Grace SDAC (Drop).  Trying to use the SDAC only. USB in from my computer. 
Input set to 1 (USB), verified as I have sound through the 1/4 of the LCX.

Unplug headphones from The LCX and into the Bottlehead.  I can hear computer noise, but no music.
I have tried it with the LCX on and off.

What are my next steps?
Title: Re: New build, No Sound (Help)
Post by: Deke609 on May 14, 2020, 05:32:41 AM
What happens when you connect your source (phone, computer, etc.) directly to the Crack? Do you get music?

cheers, Derek
Title: Re: New build, No Sound (Help)
Post by: Bullpride on May 14, 2020, 05:42:33 AM
I found a single RCA (its yellow so maybe its coax or video) to 3.5mm. 

So now I have the 1/4 out through RCA adapter plugged into one channel of the crack.  It should be getting sounds now, so I am thinking something is wrong with my crack wiring (or the RCA Cable which is unlikely).
Title: Re: New build, No Sound (Help)
Post by: Paul Birkeland on May 14, 2020, 05:44:48 AM
Can you post your voltages and some photos of your build?
Title: Re: New build, No Sound (Help)
Post by: Bullpride on May 14, 2020, 05:57:39 AM
Forum is being weird about posting picture right now.
Title: Re: New build, No Sound (Help)
Post by: Bullpride on May 14, 2020, 05:59:03 AM
one at a time apparently ha
Title: Re: New build, No Sound (Help)
Post by: Bullpride on May 14, 2020, 06:05:09 AM
https://imgur.com/a/8LbviAT

Posted on IMGUR
Title: Re: New build, No Sound (Help)
Post by: Bullpride on May 14, 2020, 06:28:23 AM
Bottlehead voltages

1 79.5
2 188.1
3 0
4 187.8
5 86.2

6 0
7 113.4
8 0
9 114.8
10  0
Title: Re: New build, No Sound (Help)
Post by: Thermioniclife on May 14, 2020, 08:46:22 AM
Those look like working voltages. Terminals, 2 and 4 are a little high but are at the 10% tolerance.
could be your line voltage is higher than 120Vac.
I think you should get a pair of standard rca cables and plug in an analog source and try. I am suspect of a single rca on one end and a 3.5mm on the other.
Title: Re: New build, No Sound (Help)
Post by: Thermioniclife on May 14, 2020, 08:52:38 AM
As a matter of fact the more I think about it I have never seen one of those but the fact that the rca is yellow it is a composit video cable and on the 3.5mm end it probably has a mono type plug meaning it a tip and a sleeve.
An audio 3.5 to dual rca that can plug into your phone will have a tip a ring and a sleeve ( 3 conductors) .
Title: Re: New build, No Sound (Help)
Post by: Bullpride on May 14, 2020, 08:56:37 AM
I have standard RCAs plugged into the back of the SDAC and into the Bottlehead.

 I do not, unfortunately , have a 3.5 or 1/4 to Dual RCA to test the headphone out of the amp or my iPad.  I will try and dig one up somewhere. 

We are fairly certain nothing is wrong with the crack at this point?

Line voltage was 122 per my check last night and the other thread.
Title: Re: New build, No Sound (Help)
Post by: Paul Birkeland on May 14, 2020, 09:01:16 AM
So, if you look at a joint like 12U, that's just not soldered.  I can see the entirety of the black wire going through that upper hole, and there doesn't look to be any solder on it.  This same issue is present where the UF4007s mount, the ground tab on the black RCA jack, 3L,

A4/A5 looks like a place where you need to remove a bunch of solder.

I would recommend obtaining an 1/8" TRS to RCA adapter cable so you can use your phone as a source.  It's difficult to debug both a new build and a potential system issue all at the same time.
Title: Re: New build, No Sound (Help)
Post by: Paul Birkeland on May 14, 2020, 09:06:06 AM
A top down shot of the whole build could also be helpful. 
Title: Re: New build, No Sound (Help)
Post by: Bullpride on May 14, 2020, 09:31:52 AM
Cleaned up a few joints and added solder that I missed. Full set of updated pictures at the following link.

https://imgur.com/a/ztdsi6V

I am searching the entire house for a 3.5 to dual RCA. No luck.  I may have to run out to Walmart or order one :(
Title: Re: New build, No Sound (Help)
Post by: Thermioniclife on May 14, 2020, 09:45:04 AM
Here is a ghetto test, unplug the rca's from your source but leave them connected to the crack, turn on the crack and let it warm up.
Plug in your headphones, raise the volume on crack just a little then touch the center pin of the rca plug with your finger.
If crack is operational then you will hear a hum when you touch and no hum when you are not touching.
the hum will get louder with an increase of the volume control. as I stated it is a ghetto test.
Title: Re: New build, No Sound (Help) [resolved]
Post by: Bullpride on May 14, 2020, 10:04:47 AM
There is definitely a hum in each ear when I touch each rca center pin.

How do I not have a single other piece of equipment in this house with RCA outs.  I feel very disappointed in myself lol.
Title: Re: New build, No Sound (Help)
Post by: Thermioniclife on May 14, 2020, 11:26:51 AM
Don't be so hard on your self, I don't have many digital sources.
So that probably means the amp is in some working order, but without a known good analog input it's speculation.
PB mentioned to re solder your joints and that's prudent so, do so while you are waiting for a cable to hook up to your phone.
Don't stress out it may be fine and if not, it will be. No room for stress.
Title: Re: New build, No Sound (Help)
Post by: Bullpride on May 14, 2020, 11:30:52 AM
WE HAVE MUSIC lol

I went attic diving and found a 3.5 to dual RCA. iPad to RCA works.  So it’s an issue with the pass through on the LCX SDAC. Now to figure that one out or just get a different DAC

Thanks all for the troubleshoot help.

Oh and I found the 3.5 line out output on the Grace SDAC.

All is good with the world.  Maiden voyage.  Pink Floyd - Money
Title: Re: New build, No Sound (Help)
Post by: Thermioniclife on May 14, 2020, 12:13:03 PM
Glad that I could be of help, Enjoy!