Scratching sound when adjusting volume

Kitchener · 1449

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Offline Kitchener

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on: April 28, 2018, 12:26:16 PM
I speedballed my Crack a week ago.
I installed a new pot (TKD 2CP-601) a week before that.

After installing the Speedball there has been a slight scratching noise when adjusting the volume on the Crack.
It's barely noticeable on my HD6XX Senns (but much more prominent on my 80 Ohm Beyer DT770s)

Some observations:
The scratching is not constant; only slight stabs of scratching when I twist the pot,
the quicker I twist the louder the scratch,
it goes away after a while.

Is this expected behaviour or indicative of some malady?



Just to go off topic right off the bat:
After speedballing, my 80 Ohm Beyers really stopped playing nice with the Crack.
I notice the bass seemingly dropping off sometimes, like the headphones can't keep up.
This does not happen with the 300 Ohm Senns.

Modded, Speedballed Crack + Sennheiser HD6XX
STAX SRM-353X + SR-L500
STAX SRM-313 + SR-L300
-Jørgen E. J.


Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #1 on: April 29, 2018, 03:38:37 AM
80 ohm headphones are on the low side for the Crack.

We cannot really help much with an aftermarket volume pot that's noisy. 

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline Kitchener

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Reply #2 on: April 29, 2018, 04:08:28 AM
Yeah totally, I know the Beyers aren’t a good fit at 80 ohms.

Okay, I just figured maybe someone here might have experienced something similar since some of you have been around for a while.

Modded, Speedballed Crack + Sennheiser HD6XX
STAX SRM-353X + SR-L500
STAX SRM-313 + SR-L300
-Jørgen E. J.


Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #3 on: April 29, 2018, 04:33:30 AM
I've run into some scratchy pots, but usually on equipment that's very old (with crud in the pot).

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline Kitchener

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Reply #4 on: April 29, 2018, 06:09:05 AM
Some have suggests the pot might be defective.
So I’ll either switch it out with the stock pot or see if the vendor is willing to help out with a replacement.

Modded, Speedballed Crack + Sennheiser HD6XX
STAX SRM-353X + SR-L500
STAX SRM-313 + SR-L300
-Jørgen E. J.