2. amps-preamps
  3. 1007613735

amplifier hum

I am rather new to Audiogon. I am using a Sonographe SA 120 power amp and that I can hear it hum slightly. I was told that it is normal for amplifiers with large transformers to hum a bit. My concern is that if I listen closely to my speaker's woofer, I can also hear the hum coming out of its woofer and my tweeter makes a slight buzz too. The hum/buzz is reduced if I disconnect my pre-amp which is a McCormak micro line drive (used as a passive pre-amp.) My interconnect cables are quite short at less than 1 meter and I keep them away from power cords.

My amp uses a 2 prong power cord so I am thinking that it is not a ground problem. The amp requires 220 VAC so it is plugged in to a power conditioner which is in turn plugged to a 1000 watt step up transformer.

Is this hum/buzz coming through my speakers caused by RFI or is there something wrong with my amp?

To what extent will the step up transformer affect the sound quality? I don't listen to music that loud, up to 12 o'clock at the most in my volume pot so I'm thnking that my amp won't be needing that much current. I listen primarily to cd's and use a Rotel cd player connected to a basic MSB link Dac III.

I will highly appreciate your comments or suggestions.
tntt

Showing 1 response by tntt

tntt OP
5 posts
 
Thanks for your suggestions Jvia and Anne audiophile. My amplifier is an Asian version. I brought it with me when I came to Canada. That is why it requires 220 vac and has 2 prong power cord. My step up transformer, however, was purchased in Canada so it has a 3 prong power cord. I'll try adding a ground wire attached to the chasis and to a 3 prong power plug. My pre-amp uses a wall wart power supply and also has only 2 prong but I'll still try to experiment. It is only the link dac 3 that has a 3 prong plug.

I'll try to borrow an amplifier and see what happens. I'm also thinking of replacing the power cord with shielded ones like the Belden wires but I still have to look for them.

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