Basic Troubleshooting Checklist
Before we get to the checklist, remember these basic rules:
- Never turn your preamp on or off while your power amp is still on
- Never connect or disconnect your speakers whlie your amp is on
One channel is out on your system and not sure what's causing it?
Start with your speakers by swapping the speaker cables left to right at the amplifier. If dead channel moves to the other side, it is not your speakers. If the same channel remains dead, you have a problem with your speaker. Put the speaker cables back in their proper positions.
Now go to your preamp. Swap the interconnects going between your preamp and power amp left to right at the preamp only. If the dead channel moves to the other channel, it's not your power amp. If the same channel remains dead, there is a problem with your power amp. Put the interconnects back in their proper positions.
The next step is testing your sources. If the same channel is dead no matter what source you're using, most likely your preamp is the cause. Let's say you have two sources: a CD player and a tuner. If both channels work with your tuner, but one is dead on your CD player, try moving the CD player to another source input on your preamp. If the same channel is still out, you have a problem with your CD player.
This checklist is also helpful for isolating noise that may be coming from a noisy tube in one of your components.