Possible Sub Issue

[DAA]

So, I recently purchased a mint Boston Acoustics VR500 sub for $20. Sounds great----but, I noticed a very faint signal crackle/noise when my ear is to the driver. Comes and goes with signal. It's not audible at all in room. Driver moves free and as I said, it's sounds great. I listen at low to moderate volume and havebit filling in 50hz and below. Ideas? BA no longer has a replacement driver.

 

[GlenGC]

can you elaborate the problem a bit more?
does the sound come in when you turn on the receiver and sub powers on at signal?
or it happens as music plays?
if so, does it happen when woofer moves or does it happen even when it doesn't move?
does it sound more of a mechanical sound like rattling, rubbing, cracking or something loose shaking
or does it sound more of a distortive nature, hissing, puffing, squeezing, etc...

 

[DAA]

To clarify issue more:

No mechanical rubbing, etc. Cone moves cleanly. In room, sound is good. When my ear is close to driver, I hear the sound from center and its more of a very light crackling almost electric sound. Sub is dead silent when on and music not playing.

 

[GlenGC]

hmm it could be just the way the amp is, or an early sign of some amp issue..
it could also be from the pots, volume and frequency pots.. you can try to turn then up down 15-20 times fastly while the sub is off see if it helps, if it does, you can give pots a clean.
other potential is the auto power feature if your sub has it, the button or signal detection might be acting up, you can set it to always ON and check if it makes difference.

 

[DAA]

I took apart sub---sprayed pots with Deoxit and checked all connections. Seems fine. Sound seems to lessen a bit as sub warms up and plays. For $20, I'm not sweating it much