Every single time I go to touch the volume knob on my 990, I get a bit of a shock. I'm worried about the 990. (By the way, this only happens at the office, not my home). What can I do to prevent this? Is it dangerous to the 990...will it damage the electronics? I never noticed this on any other piece of equipment that I've had in the past... Harman Kardon, NAD, Aragon etc.

Hi there,

Is it a static electricity charge that you might experience when touching a doorknob after shuffling along carpet? Does it "pop" and then it's done, or does it last as long as you are touching the knob?

Otto, I believe it is static electricity. It's exactly as you describe, as if touching a doorknob after shuffling along carpet. Any suggestions?

The static electricity is probably because of low humidity in the winter months. If you're worried (which I don't think is necessary), try setting a humidifier up in a corner of your office and see if it stops.

gonk is right. It's way dry here in Colorado, and we get more of it during the winter months. I wouldn't worry about it. It's just discharging to the knob/case, which I'm sure it grounded. I always thought the knob was kinda plasticky, but maybe it's some kind of metal. I'll have a look later. I'm sure it's OK.

I'm pretty sure the 990's knob is metal. It feels like a metal shell to me (probably stamped kind of like a coke can, only without the extrusion step).

Touch some other metal object with the heal of your palm before touching the 990.

Fellow Gunslingers and Desperado Gonk - As always, Gonk is correct. I brought in my humidifier, filled it up with water, turned it on and within several hours, touched the volume knob and no more static electric shocks! I love the fact that this fix cost me nothing...a great gift for my birthday. Thanks.

I was watching a DVD this morning and I walked over to the 990 to turn the volume down and received a static shock that caused the 990 to bug out. The blue light remained on, but I lost sound and all of the info on the display disappeared (display went blank).

I pressed the standby button twice and everything was back to normal. Very strange, though - hope nothing permanent happened.

If it was static electricity, I doubt there was anything permanent. Pretty wild, though...