Yamaha RX Z9 help

[Harrycr]

Hi my amp has a hiss/white noise coming from the right speaker when not playing anything.
When turning it up the volume (no music etc) the hiss doesn't increase in volume.
Can't hear it when playing music.
Tech person (hasn't seen it yet) has said it possibly could be the DAC or DSP.
If it is there's no way of fixing it, unfortunately.
Is there any other way I could save my amp?

Thanks

 

[Todd Anderson]

How loud is the sound?

Is it always there, no matter which source you’re using?

 

[perceval]

Todd's suggestion is good, try to change the source.

Also, are there LEDs or some light fixtures near the right speaker?
It could be interference from a nearby electrical fixture. Especially since it doesn't go up if you turn the volume up. My guess is it's picking up interference, and your amp is fine.

Why would DSP have anything to do with that? I suggest you find another tech.

 

[Todd Anderson]

There could be a chip failure... perhaps a ground failure, internally. But, I would start with the basics, first. Check cables and sources. Make sure there's not exernal interference.

Lots to do before you throw out the baby with the bath water!

 

[Harrycr]

How loud is the sound?

Is it always there, no matter which source you’re using?

Thanks for your reply.
Can hear it from about a meter away.
Doesn't appear to be heard when music is playing. My partner she says its like a white noise.
There is one source and that's the DVD player connected via Optical.

 

[Harrycr]

Todd's suggestion is good, try to change the source.

Also, are there LEDs or some light fixtures near the right speaker?
It could be interference from a nearby electrical fixture. Especially since it doesn't go up if you turn the volume up. My guess is it's picking up interference, and your amp is fine.

Why would DSP have anything to do with that? I suggest you find another tech.

Thanks for your reply.
Nothing different from before.
It seemed to be noticeable when I changed to a different pair of speakers.
The other speakers did it on both sides but quieter.
Swapped speakers right to left etc. and sound stayed on the right.

Not sure re DSP but he did say to try both of these DSP & DAC tests he suggested, haven't done yet.

 

[Harrycr]

There could be a chip failure... perhaps a ground failure, internally. But, I would start with the basics, first. Check cables and sources. Make sure there's not exernal interference.

Lots to do before you throw out the baby with the bath water!

Thanks again.
The tech did say it could be a chip as well.

Would speakers possibly have more tendency for interference than others?

The left side is super quiet, quieter than the originals.

I have Antimode Dual Core 2.0 between the pre and in on the Z9.
Tried swapping cables on this unit but continued.

 

[perceval]

Would speakers possibly have more tendency for interference than others?

The left side is super quiet, quieter than the originals.

If the new speaker have higher sensitivity, then yes, they would be more prone to interference.
The idea of the chip being faulty doesn't appeal to me, because if it was indeed the DAC, then the amplification stage would pick it up and amplify it, since it is downstream from the DAC.
Have your partner sit next to the speaker, go around the room / house and turn on/off appliances, light fixtures, fans, etc... try to pin-point the source of the interference.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

I’d suggest taking the Antimode out of the signal loop and see if that makes a difference. If it does, then the Antimode is the problem. The Z9 is black-hole silent. That you were hearing some noise before on both channels tells me it might well be the actual source. I expect your new speakers are more efficient than your previous ones.

Otherwise, I recall having an issue with my Z9 when I first got it. Don’t recall what exactly it was, but I do remember the fix was tightening the screws on the back panel between the speaker binding posts. All of mine were a bit loose and took at least a 1/4 inch turn to fully tighten. Might see if that makes a difference.

Regards,
Wayne

 

[Harrycr]

If the new speaker have higher sensitivity, then yes, they would be more prone to interference.
The idea of the chip being faulty doesn't appeal to me, because if it was indeed the DAC, then the amplification stage would pick it up and amplify it, since it is downstream from the DAC.
Have your partner sit next to the speaker, go around the room / house and turn on/off appliances, light fixtures, fans, etc... try to pin-point the source of the interference.

Thanks
Yes strange how the other speaker (left) is really quiet, even close up ear against the speaker itself.

So if it was the DAC the volume of the hiss/white noise would go up?

Should I start buy turning off closer to the right speaker. The amp is closest to the hissing speaker (right), not by that much though.


The original speakers – Energy Veritas 2.3i floorstanders
Current speakers Paradigm S2 Signature V1 standmounts.

 

[Harrycr]

I’d suggest taking the Antimode out of the signal loop and see if that makes a difference. If it does, then the Antimode is the problem. The Z9 is black-hole silent. That you were hearing some noise before on both channels tells me it might well be the actual source. I expect your new speakers are more efficient than your previous ones.

Otherwise, I recall having an issue with my Z9 when I first got it. Don’t recall what exactly it was, but I do remember the fix was tightening the screws on the back panel between the speaker binding posts. All of mine were a bit loose and took at least a 1/4 inch turn to fully tighten. Might see if that makes a difference.

Regards,
Wayne

Thanks

Does the Z9 have jumper leads between the pre in & out?
This is for when I take out the Antimode so I don’t have to bridge it.
Its not a nice job unfortunately getting to the back of the gear, especially the amp.

When I turn up the Antimode volume the hiss/white noise increase a bit, not a lot but noticeable.

That’s right re screws, that was it cutting out suddenly.

Did you end up using Z9 as a power amp only?

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

The Z9 does no have jumpers like the earlier models did.

Regards,
Wayne

 

[Harrycr]

The Z9 does no have jumpers like the earlier models did.

Regards,
Wayne

Thanks

Did you end up using the power amp only from the Z9 with another AVR?

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Yes, using the Z9's multi-channel inputs. They can function as direct-access connections to the internal amplifiers.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Harrycr]

Yes, using the Z9's multi-channel inputs. They can function as direct-access connections to the internal amplifiers.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Thanks
If it turns out to be the DAC or DSP can I still save the amplifiers and do what you have done, although the mains don't have a input?

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Correct. The "Power Amp Inputs" only access the front three channels. But with the Multichannel inputs, you can have a seven-channel amplifier.

Regards,
Wayne

 

[Harrycr]

Correct. The "Power Amp Inputs" only access the front three channels. But with the Multichannel inputs, you can have a seven-channel amplifier.

Regards,
Wayne

Thanks Wayne.
All of the seven are 170W?

Excuse me, I'm not familiar with this side of things.

With this setup I would be able to hookup a Minidsp Dirac 22A like normal?

Can I still use the 2 x subwoofer out of the Z9?

I have 8 speakers
Mains x 2
Centre
Back surround (side wall) x 2
Back center (back wall)
Front presence x 2

Which receiver did you get in the long, another Yamaha?

Thank you

 

[Harrycr]

Correct. The "Power Amp Inputs" only access the front three channels. But with the Multichannel inputs, you can have a seven-channel amplifier.

Regards,
Wayne

Hi Wayne which receiver did you get to use with the Z9.
Would a Z11 be ok for this.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

My apologies, I saw your previous post but must have got distracted and forgot to reply.

All of the seven are 170W?

The Z9 is 170 watts on all channels except the front presence. But there are no input jacks for those anyway.

With this setup I would be able to hookup a Minidsp Dirac 22A like normal?

Any processor could be connected between the pre-amp and Z9. However, the Minidsp Dirac 22A only has XLR connections, so it’s not the best fit.

Can I still use the 2 x subwoofer out of the Z9?

No. The Z9 would be functioning only as an amplifier. Subwoofer outputs would come from the pre-amp.

Which receiver did you get in the long, another Yamaha?

Not another receiver, but the CX-A5000, which is only a pre-amp. IOW, it has no built-in amplifiers.

Would a Z11 be ok for this.

I guess, but it seems pointless since the Z11 has its own highly capable and robust amplifiers. The only problem with the Z11 is that it doesn’t have any amp input jacks like the Z9 has, so you can’t use any outboard processors.

If you do use the Z11 and Z9 together, you have too many speakers for the Z9. So you’d have to use the Z11’s front presence amplifiers for those speakers.

BTW, forgot to mention: To access all seven of the Z9’s amplifiers via the Multichannel Input jacks, the front panel has to be set for Multichannel, and then Pure Direct. With these selections, the front display turns off and the Pure Direct button lights green. (If the Pure Direct button lights blue, it is in Stereo mode.)

Regards,
Wayne

 

[Harrycr]

My apologies, I saw your previous post but must have got distracted and forgot to reply.


The Z9 is 170 watts on all channels except the front presence. But there are no input jacks for those anyway.


Any processor could be connected between the pre-amp and Z9. However, the Minidsp Dirac 22A only has XLR connections, so it’s not the best fit.


No. The Z9 would be functioning only as an amplifier. Subwoofer outputs would come from the pre-amp.


Not another receiver, but the CX-A5000, which is only a pre-amp. IOW, it has no built-in amplifiers.


I guess, but it seems pointless since the Z11 has its own highly capable and robust amplifiers. The only problem with the Z11 is that it doesn’t have any amp input jacks like the Z9 has, so you can’t use any outboard processors.

If you do use the Z11 and Z9 together, you have too many speakers for the Z9. So you’d have to use the Z11’s front presence amplifiers for those speakers.

BTW, forgot to mention: To access all seven of the Z9’s amplifiers via the Multichannel Input jacks, the front panel has to be set for Multichannel, and then Pure Direct. With these selections, the front display turns off and the Pure Direct button lights green. (If the Pure Direct button lights blue, it is in Stereo mode.)

Regards,
Wayne

Thanks Wayne no worries.
I have a opportunity to get Z9 & Z11 they don't come up for sale over here often at all.
For both Usd $970 is this reasonable price do you think?

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

$970 for both? I'd say that's a good price, especially if they're in excellent condition.

Regards,
Wayne

 

[Harrycr]

$970 for both? I'd say that's a good price, especially if they're in excellent condition.

Regards,
Wayne

Hi Wayne please can you tell me how switch to the digital inputs without the remote to test the DACS?

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

There's a rotary input selection knob on the front panel. Seems blindingly obvious, so I expect I'm missing something?

Regards,
Wayne

 

[Harrycr]

There's a rotary input selection knob on the front panel. Seems blindingly obvious, so I expect I'm missing something?

Regards,
Wayne

Hi Wayne sorry didn't reply to you.

Matter of interest does the CX A5000 preamp sound better than the Z9 on its own?

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

I can't tell a difference between the two. Your mileage may vary.

Regards,
Wayne