Crack 1.1 Buzzing with Distortion in Left Channel [resolved]

[mfryan]

Hey everyone,

     I know this has come up before and seems like the consensus is that it's a grounding issue, but I have probed around and my grounding seems to be fine.  I'm uploading some pictures if someone can spot something I'm missing.  Any help is appreciated.  Thanks!

Cheers,
Matt

[mfryan]

I should probably clarify... I just finished the Crack yesterday.  And I'm really excited and happy with it (except for this one issue obviously).

The buzzing is audible from the moment I turn the power on and seems to get a little louder as the tubes heat up and then planes off.  After about 15-20 minutes there's some noticeable distortion in the left channel (as in a sort "blown speaker" kind of sound)... actually I can also hear it in the Right channel too.

Thanks again!

[Doc B.]

voltages might help

[mfryan]

So, when finished assembling the kit yesterday... all the voltages checked out perfect.

Now here are voltage test results now:

1- OL (Rearmost LED goes dark.  I.e. LED closer to A7 and A8)
2- OL
3- 0 Ohms
4- OL
5- OL (Frontmost LED goes dark)

6- 0 Ohms
*7- OL Here's where it's tricky:  First I had OL.  Then I had 2.9... then I noticed the LEDs were off and that the tubes were cold.  I turned it on and I got OL again.  I turned the light switch that controls the outlet off, but still had it plugged into the wall and got 3.04.  I unplugged it altogether and get 2.95.
8- 0 Ohms
*9- Same as 7. 
10- 0 Ohms

12- 0 Ohms
13- OL
14- 0 Ohms

20- 0 Ohms
22- 0 Ohms

*B3- Same as 7.
*B6- Same as 7.

RCA
Center Red- 98.9
Center Black- 103.2
Ground tab- 0 Ohms



Don't quite know what to make of it...  thanks for the help!

[mfryan]

Another note... the distortion is definitely only occurring on the right channel now.  But the buzz is on both and is independent of the volume.

[mfryan]

I don't know if this is relevant, but I just removed the headphone plug from the headphone jack and it is pretty hot.  Is that normal?

[mfryan]

*Ahem* Excuse my noobiness... I just realized I posted a bunch resistance checks instead of voltages...

Anyways, here are the voltages:

1- 79
2- 178/9 (alternates)
3- 0
4- 178/9
5- 79

6- 0
7- 103/4
8- 0
9- 102
10- 0

They all seem to be in the indicated range, right?

[Paul Birkeland]

The juncture of the black wires on the headphone jack is not properly soldered (see in the photo how one wire is just floating in the middle of the terminal).

[mfryan]

Thank you Caucasian Blackplate!!!  I look it over time and again and did not catch that...  That solved it.  Now it's quiet and the sound is incredibly good!  Thanks a million!