I have a Sprout that has been working well since I got it last September.
Today when I turned it on it started making a steady clicking sound. When I add a source input, the clicking continues and the source audio drops out in sync with the clicking. I tried fiddling with the speaker wires ( Zu with banana plugs), by switching them, and found that the problem seems to be only on the right channel. If I just keep the left speaker wires plugged in while removing the right wires, no clicking or dropout.
Hi terraplane, thanks for writing. I have experienced this once before, and in my instance, despite my apparent thoroughness to fully separate the output speaker cables, because the binding posts are really close together, I found that any clicking was indeed Sprout going into protection mode (the clicking is the output relay) and that this protection mode was being caused by the speaker cables/connectors shorting on the output. It may not be a permanent solution, but as a test, can you fit a slip of paper or a business card between said banana plugs and ensure this separation? Once completed, if still clicking, there may be an internal issue with that channel. Sprout is enjoying a <.5% failure rate worldwide, and I have not seen this problem before, but I suppose anything is possible. Would you mind trying my experiment?
Of course if the speaker cables are shorting anywhere else, such as the loudspeaker side, the same issue will occur, just to keep your eye out.
Please feel free to call my direct line if I can offer further clarification or of course should we need to make you an RMA. 720-402-3941.