PWT noise issues

Audio Components Transports
1

Hi all,

I’m new to the world of the PWT and am doing a 30 day home audition together with the Stellar Gain Cell DAC connected via I2S. This factory refurbished PWT is a direct purchase from PSA and I’ve had it in use for about 3 days now.

My concern is with 2 noise issues from the player:

  1. The drive mechanism emits a continuous grinding clackity-clack sound which I can hear during pianissimo passages of music playback from my listening position about 12 feet away on the other side of my listening room.

  2. There is a noticeable click sound at the start of each track of every disc I’ve played.

Question: Are these 2 noise issues normal baseline for this machine or is there something wrong?

2

The PWT drive is a bit noisy and that is normal. The click before each track is not. You might want to give us a call.

3

Thanks Paul for the quick reply.

I’ll contact tech support.

Oh and I’m curious-- is the drive for the DMP also “a bit noisy”? If not, I might be headed toward a real quick upgrade.

4

The PWT drive is an Asus DVD-E818AAT/BLK with custom software. It makes the typical noises of a DVD drive, although it is a bit noisier than average. I personally have not heard one however which make enough noise to be heard 12 feet away in pp passages. Thus i suspect you may have a noisier example. I suggest mentioning it when you speak with tech support.

5

So the drives in both PWT and DMP are the same?

6

The DMP drive is sourced from Oppo. Not the same as the PWT. My DMP is dead quiet compared to my former PWT…

7
Paul McGowan said

The PWT drive is a bit noisy and that is normal.


Andolink – I too have a refurbished PWT with a noisy drive. I sit about 11’ feet away from the unit and it’s easy to hear during quiet passages…very annoying! I brought mine back to PSA (I live in Boulder County) and had the drive replaced…unfortunately it didn’t help. I’ve now brought mine back for a second time and it’s currently with the repair team. Fingers crossed.

This last time when I dropped off the unit, the customer service team played for me another PWT that was sitting on someone’s desk for comparison. It was extremely quiet even when I put my ear right up to the drive, therefore, I’m optimistic that the repair team can get this fixed. I’ll update you once I get mine back.

btw – the customer service/tech support team at PSA is fantastic…you’re in good hands!

8

Good to hear xian.

So another option is to send my PWT back for a drive replacement. The upgrade to a DMP might just be more of an endgame move though IYKWIM.

9

andolink, if you can afford a DMP I would go that route. It can read SACDs and output DSD through the I2S input on your DAC, and some of the people on this forum who I respect and trust, say it is a real upgrade. The PWT I own sits about 6 feet away, and I can only hear it after it plays a CD, so not an issue for me, but anyone who owns a PSA DAC can benefit from the newer transport. Sound quality is supposed to be even better than the PWT, which is an excellent transport, SQ wise.