Belles amp hum ... rf problem?


Hi all. I have a noticeable hum problem which I have isolated as coming from my power amp, Belles 150a hotrod. The amp hums when I have it plugged into the wall with nothing else attached. The hum is not always present. I'll go a couple days without it and then it will re-appear ... comes and goes. I called David Belles and he told me the issue was likely a quality of electricity problem which was exciting the torroid transformer. (I live in a large apartment building in Manhattan.) He recommends a RF filter. Can anyone recommend a RF filter brand? Would something like a Blue Circle Noise Hound or PS audio ultimate outlet/power conditioner serve this function? If it is a electrical problem I don't think it's coming from within my apartment. I've unplugged everything that I can and the hum persists. Help it's driving me crazy. I may be imagining this but when it does hum the system doesn't sound as good. High frequencies are really grating. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
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Showing 2 responses by rhyno

open the unit and check for loose mounting of the transformer. try an ungrounded PC.

rhyno
just b/c the mounting of the transformer to the chassis is tight doesn't mean that its not the cause.

leave the lid off, next time it hums, go put your fingertips only (carefully! do not touch another thing!) on top the transformer and feel if its a mechanical hum or an electrical one. fingertips are sensitive enough to tell...if the transformer is moving, raise it off the chassis & put some rubber gromules inbetween the mounting plate of the transformer and the chassis.