Center channel dropouts/popping

Hello everyone,

Unfortunately I have come out of lurk mode for help with a problem. I have the 990/7700 system. Recently I have been having audio dropouts on the center channel. A pop comes from the center speaker, and the audio resumes. However, now I have lost all audio from the center channel, and I only get popping every 15 seconds or so.

I already sent the 990 to Outlaw for this exact issue over the summer and they could find nothing wrong. So now I'm looking for help from the forum to help resolve the problem. Here's a laundry list of things I have tried on my own or from suggestions from Outlaw tech support:

-Turned off/disconnected dvd player.
-Connected a different center speaker.
-Ran another speaker wire to the center speaker.
-Plugged the equipment into a different outlet.
-Unplugged the center channel input from the 7700 (this caused the popping to get louder).
-Unplugged the center channel output from the 990 (this caused the popping to get louder).
-Swapped the center/left inputs and center/left speaker wires on the 7700. Popping migrated to the left speaker. Also tried with a different interconnect with no change.
-Hard reset has been done.
-Software has been updated. Outlaw actually did this when I sent the 990 in over the summer.

I don't think overheating is an issue since my theater is in a cool basement environment with adequate ventilation on all sides of the equipment.

This post is already long, and I haven't even gone into how discouraged I am with my Outlaw equipment. Had this issue cropped up in the first 30 days, I would have sent the 990/7700 back.

I will be contacting Outlaw again. I just wanted to see if anyone here had any other tricks to try.

Thanks for your time.

Sounds like you tried everything but swapping out the speaker wire?

My Bad - Yes you did. I have nothing further.

You've run through a good battery of tests. Changing speaker wire and even speaker didn't impact the issue. Disconnecting either end of the center channel pre-amp cable (990 to 7700) caused the problem to get louder - presumably popping even without the signal. Swapping cables so that the left signal went through the center channel of the 7700 and on to the left speaker caused the problem to move to the left speaker. The first test confirms that the problem isn't due to the speaker wire or the speaker. The second and third would seem to indicate that the 990 is not at fault. The culprit appears to be the 7700, if I had to point somewhere. The only tests that I can think of that don't involve sending the 7700 to Outlaw for some bench tests and service would be to (1) make sure the center channel's balanced/unbalanced switch is set correctly and (2) try a different interconnect or kind of interconnect between 990 and 7700 (either just replace with same kind of cable or switch from unbalanced to balanced - or the other way around, of course, if you already have balanced).

Thanks, guys.

gonk, you are correct. I get the popping even without a signal from the 990. I am running unbalanced connections and the switch is in the correct position. Also, I did swap the center channel interconnect with a known good interconnect in my previous tests, but I forgot to put it in my list. Still got the popping.

Man, I'm dreading sending the 7700 in for service. The thing is a beast. I had to help the Fedex driver carry it into my house when it was delivered.

The 7700's center channel amp does seem to be the problem child in this situation. Kick it around with Outlaw tomorrow - they'll get you on track, I'm sure.

I'll be contacting them today. They are an easy bunch to talk to.

An update. I heard from Outlaw tech support. They want me to re-install the updated software even though I've had the same problems with both the old and new software. I don't think that will help, but I'll try it.

Hello,

I am having a similar problem with the center channel of my new 7125. Did you ever get your problem resolved?

If so, how?

Many thanks!

DAP

Hi mrdap,

My problem has not been resolved. In fact the center channel is now completely dead. I have been in contact with tech support, and left them a message this morning. They want me to return the 990 again. However, I think the problem is the 7700. I'm hoping to hear from them today so I can outline my reasoning.

The center is out entirely? And I assume you can move interconnects around and the problem follows the 7700's amp channel? I'm sorry to hear that. If nothing else, at least that helps troubleshoot it...

You are correct. The center is out entirely. I did as you describe. Only the center is out. All inputs work on all other channels.

I agree that the amp would be the culprit - if you can send the left channel data to the 7700's center channel and get nothing from the left channel and at the same time send center channel data to the 7700's left channel and get nice clean sound from the left speaker, then the 990 and speakers would both be off the hook and the 7700 would be the guilty party.

I did the center/left channel swap. Nice clean sound from the left speaker. Nothing from the center. Thanks for your suggestions. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it's the amp.

Hello again everyone. I have a happy ending to my story.

I had to send the 7700 to California for repair. I sent it out on 1/10 and had it back on 1/31. Pretty good turnaround I would say.

It is now working properly, and I am enjoying my system once again.

Sorry an update took so long, but I wanted to make sure it was functioning correctly. Once Outlaw decided it was the amp they were quick about repairing it.

Excellent news! Glad to hear that they were able to get you back in business.

did Outlaw give you a report on why your 7700 amps center channel was dead?

I asked that same question yesterday through their online support. I have not heard back from them yet. I'll report back here when I hear something.

Update:

Outlaw contacted me about what caused the blown center channel. Here's their response:

"The tech that serviced it found damage at the output consistent with a short across the terminals. In addition to the blown fuses there was a damaged cap, and an open resistor. I should add that it's hard to say whether there was a short or if a component failed but generally speaking a defective part will surface early on, usually in the first month or two of use.

Rather than repairing it he replaced the Center channel with a new module."

The 7700 has performed flawlessly since I've had it back. That's all that matters to me.