HELP NEEDED: A21-left output louder than right

[tboooe]

Well I thought I finally got it figured out. But it seems my issue with the left channel output being louder than the right is not a warm up issue and is being caused by something else. Has anyone got any ideas?

Here is a summary of my problem:
The left channel output is frequently louder (though the level which it is louder is not consistent) than my right channel. In order to deal with this I have to constantly adjust the gain pots on the back of the amp. Sometimes I have to adjust it to 25% less than the right and sometimes I have to reduce the left gain to half of the right in order to get the output balanced. This problem has been driving me crazy for a while now. At first I thought it was speaker position, then cables, then source, then wall treatments. After way too much fiddling i have determined that its the amp. So what could cause this? Fluctuating power from the outlet? Defective amp?

Thanks for the help

[Peter Nielsen]

Tboooe,

Try to swap the left and right inputs AND the left and right speaker outputs on the A21. This means that you in effect are using the left channel of the amp for right channel sound, and vice versa.

If the problem now is "reversed" so that the right side appears louder, then there likely is a problem with the A21.

However, if this test does not change anything, then the problem is probably somewhere else (speakers, cables or preamp).

Peter

[tboooe]

Peter, thanks for the input. I had already did what you suggested and the the right speaker became louder. I even connected my source directly to the amp (bypassing the preamp) and the left side was still louder. I will give parasound a call today. Hopefully they are nice to deal with, though I hate the thought of having to ship this beast.

tommy

[tboooe]

Ok, just got off the phone with Tony from Parasound and received an RMA number. What worries me is that the problem is intermittent. He said if they cant find the problem they will just ship it back to me and if I see the problem again I have to send it back. With shipping costing at least $50 each time, I can see this getting very expensive. Lets hope they can figure it out.

[Peter Nielsen]

Hmmm.... It might be as easy as a bad solder joint that came loose in shipping. In this case they will probably be able to locate and fix the problem. Keep your fingers crossed. Good luck! :T

Peter

[r100gs]

tboooe, You must be a truly diehard fan of Parasound. If I've read this board correctly, you are on your second or third A21. I personally would have taken a baseball batt to the last A21. I've had a good experience with my A21 and P3. No hiss, XLR's and my gain pots are at full on, warm or cold.

[tboooe]

thanks r100gs....i guess i am either a die hard fan or a complete idiot! I got in touch with Richard Schram of Parasound who ensured me he will make sure the situation gets resolved.

For the record, this is my second A21. The first was a demo unit. Anyway, I am crossing my fingers.

[Chris D]

I personally would have taken a baseball batt to the last A21.

HERETIC!

(just kidding, I could understand frustration, too)