Stereo experts...I gots a problem..need help

[d_day_6]

Intermittent problem with receiver:

In humid weather when I hit the power button on my receiver there is a loud, rythmic, electronic buzzing coming from my speakers(4 of them), independent of my volume control. Turning volume nob does nothing to increase or decrease the noise.
It does stop when I switch between speaker pairs A and B on the receiver. When I have speaker set "b" on, I can hear a clicking sound emitting from the receiver that has the same cadance as the sound coming from the speakers when both sets are going. What is going on? I have almost never switch between these sets of speakers and can't imagine a switch failing when its never been used.

I am an audiophile moron and before I start tearing things apart would appreciate some advice. Thanks in advance.

[Montana]

This is your home unit, right? Well, not using a switch is exactly what will contribute to a failure. Depending on the switch type, of course, not using it will let it build up gunk or dust or moisture gremlins. You can get contact cleaner or switch cleaner, as a spray or a swiper (like a fiber-felt-tipped pen).

It sounds like you have a ground-loop or similar buzz. This can also be caused by something that is either unshielded or not shielded enough and it is picking up the wall current cycle (explains a pulsing that is not affected by the volume knob) and passing it into your system. Have you rerouted anything or plugged in anything new recently? Make sure all your speaker cables and component cables are not running next to or alongside any power cables. If, as you move cables around, you hear a change in that noise, you know that's where the problem is.

I use the flexible hardshelled cable guide you can buy at a ATV place and route non-power cables through this.

You might try plugging some stuff in across the room, into an outlet that's on a different breaker. The goal would be to get a breaker on the other leg of your home's power supply, so stuff is out of phase with other stuff.

[BubbaZanetti]

interesting, sounds like an issue with the power supply of your amp, as generally, with modern receivers, the circuitry of the pre and power amps don't turn on till 5 or so seconds after you push the power button

i'm an audio guy, and i guess you could say "audiophile", but i'm not an electrical engineer or particularly handy with electronics beyond setting them up and integrating them for maximum enjoyment. let someone who knows the insides of these things better chime in.

[wmubrown]

Intermittent problem with receiver:

In humid weather when I hit the power button on my receiver there is a loud, rythmic, electronic buzzing coming from my speakers(4 of them), independent of my volume control. Turning volume nob does nothing to increase or decrease the noise.
It does stop when I switch between speaker pairs A and B on the receiver. When I have speaker set "b" on, I can hear a clicking sound emitting from the receiver that has the same cadance as the sound coming from the speakers when both sets are going. What is going on? I have almost never switch between these sets of speakers and can't imagine a switch failing when its never been used.

I am an audiophile moron and before I start tearing things apart would appreciate some advice. Thanks in advance.

It's a little difficult to tell from the description, but I would double check your speakers and make sure none are shorted out. If one or more are, the amp will go into protection shutdown, usually driven by a relay, and thus the 'clicking' noise.

Switches can go bad anytime, used or not, and/or build up corrosion on the contacts if you are in a humid environment and not using it.