Love my Rotel, but not these new strange noises

[pogslammer]

Hi AK community,

Long time reader, first time poster.

I have a vintage Rotel RSX-972 surround sound receiver with some Polk RTI6 bookshelf speakers.

For the past few weeks I have been getting uncontrollable loud buzzing feedback that just takes over the receiver.

I've tried isolating the problem, but am unable to figure out what's causing this. It seemed to really be happening the most when I had my Macbook pro connected via optical toslink - but I have completely disconnected the laptop and now it still happens. In fact it happens now when I disconnect everything and just have it plugged in.

It's plugged into a strip that is plugged in an outlet that also has a modem and wireless router.

I am perplexed.

Any ideas?

-Kurt

 

[ryuuoh]

So, it buzzes with nothing but the speakers connected?

 

[pogslammer]

Yeah, it will buzz without anything plugged in.

But not constantly. It's seemingly random. And I can't connect it to anything in particular. I live in a small apartment so I can easily see all electronics plugged in - the kitchen, the living room. I don't know what happened.

So today I ran an extension cord to an outlet on the other side of the room, plugged in my laptop with RCA aux cable and played some music. Short bursts of feedback occurred - short 2 second blasts of noise then it would go back to being normal. This would only happen maybe once or twice per song. And maybe not even at all.

 

[pogslammer]

I should clarify.

The sounds are a loud buzzing noise. At times it is just short bursts of noise. Other times it is prolonged and will not stop until I turn the receiver off. Switching the inputs and unplugging peripherals from the inputs make no difference. Sound will not stop until I power off.

 

[ryuuoh]

Apparently this has been an issue for someone else:
https://www.avforums.com/threads/rotel-rsx-972.545550/
Slapping it and the hum going away points to a bad connection or solder joint.