2. amps-preamps
  3. 1163036438

DK Design VS-1 Reference MK3 Noise Issue

Dear DK owners, followers,
I have been a very satisfied DK owner and love the music it produces. I have never doubted their built quality, seeing their massive look and presence. However, I have run into a very odd, annoying issue lately and wanted to know if anyone out there had similar problem. No one from LSA group has gotten back so I am counting on the actual owners' insights here. The issue is, "without the music feed, when I turn to volume up on DK past 11'oclock mark, I hear pretty loud static type(zzz..) of noise from my speakers. It always happens when the volume passes by that area. I have had my unit replaced once and the new unit did not display this issue until after about 20 hours of break-in..Same noise, in same manner, it all came back. And the white noise on the speakers has gotten louder as well.

The dealer says it may be tube, but we aligned on that false assumption, because I own several pairs of new 6922's. Given that two units have dispayed same problem, I am assuming this is not an isolated case.

Has anyone out there experienced this as well and do you know what the solution is ? and what is the quickest way to get a rock solid response from LSA ?I am getting really bothered by it. Last thing I want is to spend over $3000 to learn that the good will run into QA issues down the road, especially this early in the game.

thanks
pkoh70

Showing 5 responses by pkoh70

pkoh70 OP
34 posts
 
Drubin, you got it ! That is exactly what I am talking about. I am ok with the tube noise. What I am absolutely not ok with is that loud, static noise made when volume knob passes specific range..(mostly 11-1'oclock range)And this symptom has occured on two DK units. (original, and replaced)..The noise is clearly audible at a listen position by the way. (10-11ft. away)

and once again, thanks to all those offering inputs/insights here.
pkoh70 OP
34 posts
 
Bob,
yes, have exchanged e-mails with LSA group and it's local importer here and am waiting for their finding. They have been very responsive "so far", including Larry Staple who is the president of the company.
pkoh70 OP
34 posts
 
Hi Rbstehno,
based on the recommendation by DK and by reviewers, I am using singled ended and do not use balance connection at all. If you are having hiss issue when using balanced, that seems like it could be another issue that you should look into.
pkoh70 OP
34 posts
 
Hi Mike, here are the responses to your questions...hope my answers are clearly enough to pinpoint to where the problem may be. Your questions are very helpful...

1. I am using Hyperion Sound 938s, and sensitivity is at 90dB
2. Yes, the noise I am hearing is coming from the speakers (without program material) influenced by volume setting of DK
3. The sound is more like hissing/static sound like AM radio static..you are correct.
4. The static sound is coming from the speakers, not from the DK unit itself. The chassis is silent so far. with the equipment turned on and nothing playing, at about 3in., I hear pretty audible hissing/white noise from both speakers. At about a foot away, you can still here the white noise, at about 3ft away, you can not hear the white noise. Now, if you turn the volume control up without music playing, there is that additional nasty static noise mentioned above coming from the speakers and you can here this noise even 8-10ft away..(from listening position)..The static noise is heard usually when the volume nob passes about 11'oclock to 13'0clock mark...extremely strange, yeh ? two DK units both displaying exactly same problem...

thanks Mike.
pkoh70 OP
34 posts
 
All, thanks for your responses, first of all.

I hear you about the tubes and possible hissing/white noises they make. I have owned tube gears before and know the hassle, especially with 6922s. However this is not a normal hissing noise. I am talking about a very loud static noise as if you were tuned to a very bad radio frequency. I don't think that is normal tube noise. Especially doesn't explain why such noise comes and goes around specific range of volume, don't you think ? Same static noise around same range of volume, no matter which tubes I put into DK..this lead me to suspect that it is more DK than tube matter given the patterned noise reaction I am seeing.

Anyone who own the DKs here that can test and see if similar reaction is happening ? with music feed off, and only DK on, turn the volume lever up past 11-12'oclock range and see if you hear audible static noise..if you got high sensitivity speakers, the noise will be louder for sure.
More to discover