I have been experiencing a popping in my left speaker that I cannot diagnose. It seems to occur randomly and very infrequently, which makes troubleshooting damn near impossible. It has happened both while playing music and while sitting idle, but on. On average, it probably occurs once a day. However, it didn't happen at all last week, but happened three times today.
The system: PC > USB2 > Benchmark DAC1 HDR > PS Audio GCA-100 > PSB Symphony 6
This trouble began some time after I got the DAC1, but it was like a month into using it. It has only occurred in the left channel. I have checked all cable connections several times, unplugging and replugging.
I have tried using the digital input from my DVD player into the DAC1 as a source and it has never happened during that time. I have also tried a different computer, but only for one afternoon - it didn't happen then, either. I am not sure if it is a problem with the USB on the computer or if something in software is sending a signal to the left channel (and so the DAC is doing its job in both cases) … or if it is a problem with the DAC, amp or even speaker.
Here's what I'm thinking, but if anyone has a way to get to the heart of the problem quicker (or somehow make it happen more often/regularly), I'd love to hear it.
1. Plug L amp output into R speaker and vice versa. If problem follows the swap (i.e. now occurs in right), the speakers are fine.
2. Restore normal speaker wiring and plug L DAC output into R amp input and vice versa. If the problem follows the swap, the amp is fine.
3. Not sure what else to do - I don't think I can swap L/R anywhere else in the system, since the rest is all digital.