I have a recent issue with the right channel not as loud as the left at any volume level. The right channel is maybe two-thirds of what it should be and is noticeable anywhere in the listening area. The uneven volume levels are present no matter what the source is streamer, CD, television.
I’ll list my great then everything I have done to fix the problem.
Gear
• BHK Signature Preamp
• BHK Signature Power amp 250
• Power Plant 15 (all components connected)
• Bluesound Node Vault
Roon Nucleus
• Rotel CD player
• B&W floorstander speakers
Corrective Measures:
I have checked and double checked all cable connections
I switched preamp tubes L to R (volume drop remained in right channel)
I switched amp tubes L to R (volume drop remained in right channel)
I switched speaker cable L to R and volume drop switched to left channel
I am not sure what else to do to diagnose the continuous problem. I hope its not a preamp or amp issue but thinking it must be.
To clarify - did you switch the cables completely? As in disconnect amp end and speaker end and reconnect on opposite sides?
If that’s the case then I’m also inclined to believe it’s a speaker cable issue too. Do you have any other speaker cables you can swap in to confirm it’s a cable problem?
When you switched the speaker cable and the problem followed the cable did you switch both ends of the cable or just one? I’d suggest switching both ends, and possibly substituting the speaker cables with a cheap cable as part of your troubleshooting effort. Problem is either amp or cable. Hopefully it is no more than tightening a cable termination. I had this very problem yesterday. Bumped a cable while behind the speaker and dislodged the wire. The affected speakers are bi-wired. Good luck.
I had a similar problem and discovered it was my Audioquest XLR cable. This cable was in my system for years. It left the amp in a tight curve due to lack of space and “something” happened at the internal connection. Replaced it and all was right with the world. I spent a lot of time trying to diagnose the problem. Maybe this will help…or not.
Thanks Guys for all the cable suggestions! This morning I swapped out right channel cable and volume drop remained in right channel. I actually found a couple of old speaker cables and did this twice with same result. Then, just to be sure I switched cable connections at both the speakers and amp. The drop off remained in the right channel when I did this.
I am guessing I have an amp problem? Thoughts?
Mike B
This happened to me and a couple others a while back (there are threads here about it but I don’t think I can find them). Turned out to be the BHK pre, one of the TP25 chips was faulty. For some units these chips can be removed by hand so could be tested by switching them, but for others they are soldered so the pre needs to be sent in for repair (mine were soldered).
The easiest test is to switch the ICs at the pre output. This should tell you if it’s the pre, assuming the ICs are okay. If volume drop moves to the other channel then it probably is the pre and I would guess it’s the TP25’s. My memory of the forum discussions is that in most cases this problem was due to the TP25’s and not a tube issue.
Thanks jerryd6. Did what you suggested on switching the ICs at the pre output. The volume drop did switch to the other channel unfortunately so I guess I most likely have a pre amp chip issue.
This is disappointing for me because I have already had the pre in for service at PS for a very similar issue just a couple of years ago. Here is what they did:
“Replaced 3.6K ohm resisters on both opto boards. Replaced optos on the right channel. Added capacitor on the bottom of C137.”
Sounds like it should probably go back to PSA. It could be the TP25 or related to the earlier repairs or something else entirely. The turnaround for PSA has been pretty quick in my case and the charges have been fair or better.
Okay this is kind of embarrassing but with the help of PS Audio staff I figured out that I had got my channels out of balance by preamp button on the remote. I never realised there even was a preamp balance button. I must have inadvertently pressed it and got it out of whack. Feeling a bit like an audio idiot today but sure glad I didn’t send unit in when this is all it was.
Thanks to all who responded and tried to help. Let’s try to remember this one when a similar problem comes down the line.Mike B