Integrated Amplifier "Ticking"

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • aob9
    New Member
    • Nov 2012
    • 3
    • Ireland

    #1

    Integrated Amplifier "Ticking"

    Hi all, I'm new here and I have to admit that my first post is all about getting good information from a reputable source.

    I recently purchased a Cambridge Audio Topaz amplifier and returned it to the dealer because of an unusual persistent ticking sound coming from within the unit. It "appeared/sounded" to be emanating from a large capacitor behind the power switch which can be seen through the top of the vents. In all my years of purchasing electronics I never heard a unit to tick as loud as a watch while on standby and I was ( justifiably, I think) concerned that this is not normal or safe.

    On returning the item I requested a replacement and was stunned to hear the exact same sound coming from the exact same area from within the unit. Is it at all possible that I am over-reacting here or indeed is it at all possible that I could receive two different units with the exact same fault if it is indeed a fault?

    This link takes you to a jpg taken from another forum of the amp involved.

    http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/...9/TopazAM1.jpg

    The ticking appears to be coming from the area around the PSU filter caps.

    The reason I am looking for advice on this is my claims appear to be falling on deaf ears as far as the manufacturer is concerned as they appear to be stalling on responding to my concerns.

    You can also "hear" the ticking on this youtube video if you turn the volume up fairly loud.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEmRW...HumGMNgwT239zw

    Many thanks for reading.
  • budm
    Badcaps Legend
    • Feb 2010
    • 40746
    • USA

    #2
    Re: Integrated Amplifier "Ticking"

    THat is very interesting, it is just simple bi-polar (+/-) power supply. Can you use something like wooden stick or some kind of listening device to see if it is comming from both caps. The frequency on the two caps will be at 100 Hz for the fundamental frequency.
    Never stop learning
    Basic LCD TV and Monitor troubleshooting guides.
    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...956#post305956

    Voltage Regulator (LDO) testing:
    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...999#post300999

    Inverter testing using old CFL:
    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...er+testing+cfl

    Tear down pictures : Hit the ">" Show Albums and stories" on the left side
    http://s807.photobucket.com/user/budm/library/

    TV Factory reset codes listing:
    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24809

    Comment

    • aob9
      New Member
      • Nov 2012
      • 3
      • Ireland

      #3
      Re: Integrated Amplifier "Ticking"

      I have used a cardboard tube to identify it is indeed coming from the caps. I cannot tell if it is one or both though. I'll use a wooden stick later to see if I can identify if it's one or both.

      Complete Newbie..............Why would these caps tick like that???

      Comment

      • budm
        Badcaps Legend
        • Feb 2010
        • 40746
        • USA

        #4
        Re: Integrated Amplifier "Ticking"

        No Idea, that is very strange. Does it change during times of day?
        Never stop learning
        Basic LCD TV and Monitor troubleshooting guides.
        http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...956#post305956

        Voltage Regulator (LDO) testing:
        http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...999#post300999

        Inverter testing using old CFL:
        http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...er+testing+cfl

        Tear down pictures : Hit the ">" Show Albums and stories" on the left side
        http://s807.photobucket.com/user/budm/library/

        TV Factory reset codes listing:
        http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24809

        Comment

        • aob9
          New Member
          • Nov 2012
          • 3
          • Ireland

          #5
          Re: Integrated Amplifier "Ticking"

          Originally posted by budm
          No Idea, that is very strange. Does it change during times of day?
          No, I've even moved it to a different location to see if it could possibly be my mains supply, no change. I plugged it into a surge protector, disconnected everything except mains supply, no change. In all my years in this house I have never had an electrical/electronic device ( and I have lots) inexplicably fail or give reason for concern, I am convinced my mains supply is "clean". I have a BD player, TV, and surround sound system plugged into to the same rail for years with no problems whatsoever.


          I'm baffled because my dealer says I am the only one with this problem he has heard of, but then he would say that, wouldn't he??????

          Comment

          Related Topics

          Collapse

          • MrCommunistGen
            Polk Audio RTi100 Plate Amplifier won't power on and intermittently honks and buzzes
            by MrCommunistGen
            My childhood best friend was killed about 9 years ago. His parents are finally letting go of his things, and they offered me his Polk RTi100 tower speakers. The Polk RTi100 towers are one of a handful of designs from the early 2000s that is a full range 3-way tower with a built-in self-powered subwoofer. This is accomplished with a plate amp integrated into the speaker input panel.

            I think they used them for a while, but they've been sitting for at least a few years now. After about 40 hours of driving to their house and back (both they and I have moved in the last 9 years) I got...
            07-12-2021, 05:11 PM
          • jinu_j
            How to test Subwoofer Amplifier with only a multimeter
            by jinu_j
            Hi Folks

            Need some advice on how to test a subwoofer amplifier if i have access to only a multimeter.

            Problem
            I have a Boston Acoustics active Subwoofer (soundware S). Its rated output is 200W. But the output i am getting is very low i can barely hear/feel it even if put the gain at max. I replaced all the capacitors in the Subwoofer amplifier but still no change.

            Is there anyway to test this without getting an oscilloscope/Function generator to see if the fault is with amplifier, driver or the source??

            Any advice would be appreciated...
            08-29-2024, 02:05 AM
          • SluggerB
            Can't find exact matching caps for replacements, what should I get to prevent video issues?
            by SluggerB
            I have an old Tivo. The Power Supplies are known to have caps that fail. Here are the caps that come with the original power supply:



            I could not find replacement caps with the exact same specs. I followed an online guide and recapped the power supply with caps with these specs



            The power supply now works, however the HDMI video is giving me eye strain. I don't know how a capacitor on a Power supply could impact an HDMI video signal, but it does, the Tivo interface has a flicker now and the color/brightness is off. So I want to get some new caps...
            04-05-2024, 07:47 PM
          • mikey5791
            Tiny Tech ATX480W output power ticking
            by mikey5791
            Hi to all forum members,

            ​​​​​​This psu (Tiny Tech model ATX 480W) had been installed in a very old Windows XP PC but recently i pulled it out as the pc cannot start. To test it, i jumped the green wire and black wire on the 24 pin connector. The psu fan jerk a bit but not spinning. I used my dmm to check dc voltage on output connector wire, the 5v red wire keeps ticking a bit at around dc1v....then drops and ticking again around 1v. It is the same situation with the 12v yellow wire.

            Fyi, i desoldered the secondary side electrolytic cap those over 1000uf...
            02-20-2025, 01:11 AM
          • Document Archive
            TDA2822M Amplifier Datasheet
            by Document Archive
            The TDA2822M is a monolithic integrated circuit in 8 lead Mini dip package. It is intended for use as dual audio power amplifier in portable cassette players and radios.

            TDA2822M DUAL LOW-VOLTAGE POWER AMPLIFIER FEATURES:

            ● SUPPLY VOLTAGE DOWN TO 1.8V
            ● LOW CROSSOVER DISTORSION
            ● LOW QUIESCENT CURRENT
            ● BRIDGE OR STEREO CONFIGURATION

            Data 2003...
            10-07-2024, 05:41 AM
          • Loading...
          • No more items.
          Working...