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TPA 3116 vs the tripaths

Need some troubleshooting advice. I recently disconnected my blue/black board from the tube preamp in my computer audio setup. For about a week I used the amp in my two channel system to good result. When I put it back into my computer set up, it gave me a loud turn on thump for the first time ever. Also, I now hear an unacceptable amount of of hiss, also I need to turn the volume on the preamp up much higher than I did before. Using same cables, etc.... plugged into the same outlet... all the same except for the use in my two channel rig. If the hiss was coming from the pre, it would likely be volume dependent, right? :confused:
 
davidflas said:
Need some troubleshooting advice. I recently disconnected my blue/black board from the tube preamp in my computer audio setup. For about a week I used the amp in my two channel system to good result. When I put it back into my computer set up, it gave me a loud turn on thump for the first time ever. Also, I now hear an unacceptable amount of of hiss, also I need to turn the volume on the preamp up much higher than I did before. Using same cables, etc.... plugged into the same outlet... all the same except for the use in my two channel rig. If the hiss was coming from the pre, it would likely be volume dependent, right? :confused:
Click to expand...

Could be blown up resistor? :scratch2:
How do you connect board(s) into PC, via DAC/adapter/coax,...? Was the PC on while connecting? PC is connected to the router/modem, right?
When not connected to the computer problem remains the same? Tubes are fine?
Could be anything, you might also check the boards and caps with ohm meter, etc,...
 
Jadran said:
Could be blown up resistor? :scratch2:
How do you connect board(s) into PC, via DAC/adapter/coax,...? Was the PC on while connecting? PC is connected to the router/modem, right?
When not connected to the computer problem remains the same? Tubes are fine?
Could be anything, you might also check the boards and caps with ohm meter, etc,...
Click to expand...


All connections were made with both the pre and the amp off, computer on. The computer is connected to the router via wifi. The part that confuses me is that no changes were made the the set up, the tubes are good, the wires are good, all I did was power everything down, remove the amp for a week, then reconnect it in the same spot and in the same way. I turned it off in my main system, it gave its usual quiet turn off sound through the speakers, I walked it to my desk and reconnected it, turned the pre on first, then the amp. For the first time since I've had it, the amp gave a loud turn on pop. I thought I had gotten lucky as it had never done that before, though everyone else said their boards do that every time. I am new to diy, so I will have to learn how to check the caps etc....
 
davidflas said:
Need some troubleshooting advice. I recently disconnected my blue/black board from the tube preamp in my computer audio setup. For about a week I used the amp in my two channel system to good result. When I put it back into my computer set up, it gave me a loud turn on thump for the first time ever. Also, I now hear an unacceptable amount of of hiss, also I need to turn the volume on the preamp up much higher than I did before. Using same cables, etc.... plugged into the same outlet... all the same except for the use in my two channel rig. If the hiss was coming from the pre, it would likely be volume dependent, right? :confused:
Click to expand...

For a short time I experienced the same. I have lots of gear near my iMac and noticed the hiss and reduced output but only with my Audio GD DAC feeding the preamp.

I switched the TPA/3 tube preamp to a CD source in the same location and things returned to normal with no hiss or reduced output. My Dared 2a3 is also in the same set up and the DAC is now feeding it with no issues.
 
Poultrygeist said:
For a short time I experienced the same. I have lots of gear near my iMac and noticed the hiss and reduced output but only with my Audio GD DAC feeding the preamp.

I switched the TPA/3 tube preamp to a CD source in the same location and things returned to normal with no hiss or reduced output. My Dared 2a3 is also in the same set up and the DAC is now feeding it with no issues.
Click to expand...


its nice to know that I am not the only one who has experienced this, I am not sure how to resolve the issue, since my MacBook Pro is the only source.......buy an Audiobah amp?
 
I am now officially the dumbest person on AK! I had the computer connected to the output of the pre, and the amp connected to the input! Returning the cables to their correct positions works so much better! Once again I have earned the title under my screen name!
 
davidflas said:
I am now officially the dumbest person on AK! I had the computer connected to the output of the pre, and the amp connected to the input! Returning the cables to their correct positions works so much better! Once again I have earned the title under my screen name!
Click to expand...

No I've done dumber stuff and maybe that's what I did as well.
 
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davidflas said:
I am now officially the dumbest person on AK! I had the computer connected to the output of the pre, and the amp connected to the input! Returning the cables to their correct positions works so much better! Once again I have earned the title under my screen name!
Click to expand...

:D
But hey, you have found where the problem was, so I would say that we could all learn something from your story - to proprerly mark the IN and OUT on these diy boxes, so no confusion next time. :thmbsp:
 
Need a cheap source for RCA jacks?

I use just the RCA jacks and discard the plate and F-connector.

$.29 at Parts Express. :thmbsp:

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Got my blue/black board built, I like it but don't think it sounds much different than the red board. I do get a speaker pop when connecting the power brick. If I put a volume pot in the input line, will I be able to avoid that? I have a 50k alps pot I can use...
 
J English said:
Got my blue/black board built, I like it but don't think it sounds much different than the red board. I do get a speaker pop when connecting the power brick. If I put a volume pot in the input line, will I be able to avoid that? I have a 50k alps pot I can use...
Click to expand...

Vol.pot. does not solve the 'pop' issue. It's been widely disscused on DIY forum and no simple solution to it. Only the green board(s) are constructed that way to be 'pop' free by default.
I'm about to build my first black board, as finally got all necessary parts this week. Earlier bought AC input terminal with filter, power on/off switch, and fuse, so will see how it does help, if at all?!
 
J English said:
Got my blue/black board built, I like it but don't think it sounds much different than the red board. I do get a speaker pop when connecting the power brick. If I put a volume pot in the input line, will I be able to avoid that? I have a 50k alps pot I can use...
Click to expand...

If you remember to turn the pot all the way down before powering on/off, it will solve the turn on/off pop, at least it did for me, but sometimes I forget:nono:
 
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