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Posts: 46280
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
Since: February 2, 2002
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Don't rule out dirty connectors like RCA jacks, interconnect cable plugs, speaker wire connectors, and speaker terminals. But beyond that.....
There are several methodical steps you can take to isolate the problem. A common method is sometimes called half-splitting which is helpful if you have no idea where the problem originates. In general, you split the problem in half and see in which half the problem persists, then you split the problem in half again, and so on until you narrow it down. This is most helpful in serial electronic circuits, like an amplification chain.
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First, does the crackling noise happen only while playing music? What happens if you disconnect all input sources and turn up the volume? Does the crackling noise occur?
By removing all input sources and checking for noise, you can potentially eliminate the input source as the cause. If the noise occurs with NO INPUT source, then it's obviously downstream with the Denon or speaker cables / speakers.
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If the noise only occurs while playing music, what happens when you swap the Left and Right channel interconnects going from your CDP to the Denon? Does the noise remain in the Left channel or does it move to the Right channel?
If it moves, then the problem is not in the Denon but in your CDP or interconnects going from the CDP to the Denon.
If the noise does not move to the other channel, then the problem is in the Denon, speaker cables, or speakers.
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Swap the Left speaker AND wires to the Right channel output, and the Right speaker AND wires to the Left channel output.
For clarity, physically swap the speaker locations too, moving the Left speaker to the Right side, and the Right speaker to the Left side.
Does the noise move to the Right or does it remain in the Left?
If it moved to the Right when you moved the speaker cables / speakers, then the problem is not in the Denon but in the speaker cable or speaker.
If the noise did not move then the problem is in the Denon.
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If you want to further isolate the problem, the Denon should have a switch on the back labeled Power Amp Direct Mode, and RCA input jacks which will allow you to bypass the Denon's preamp and run directly into its amp section. Does your CDP have a volume control or do you have ANY other source component with volume control?
If yes, then switch to Power Amp Direct Mode and run your source into the RCA jacks associated with this mode.
Does the noise still exist? If yes, then the noise is in the amp section of your Denon integrated. If no, the noise is likely in the preamp section.
NOTE: For the test above, I'm assuming that the PMA-2000R has the Power Amp Direct Mode feature. My newer PMA-2000IVR does.
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If the problem is in fact with the Denon, you can either troubleshoot it further with a DMM, signal injector, signal tracer, or oscilloscope if you have one..... Or get in touch with Denon or a reputable service tech for repairs.
Good luck.
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