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Berning ZH 270 and Power conditioning

Question to ZH270 owners: Do you find your amp sensitive to the quality of AC? I get a little bit of buzz from the amp(and not from the speakers) from time to time. The noise's level and pitch change with (i) different Power Cords connected and (ii) as the other electronics and lights in the listening room turn on or off.

How do you suppose I address this issue? I am anticipating the first answer to be the dedicated circuit, which I'll look into, but what else have you found to improve the Zh270's sound? I am primarily interested in the effect of power conditioning (Hydra, PS Audio, Equitech, etc.) and power cords. Any input will be appreciated. Thanks. BTW, my VERY simple and humbe system consists of:

Reference Audio Mods (RAM) modded SACD1000 w/ 3.0V+ output
RAM silver interconnects
Berning 270
FMS Zero speaker cables
Kharma Ceramique 2.0s

Henry
henry_la
12 responses Add your response
danamc
57 posts
 
I've had excellent results using a Sound Applications XE-12s power conditioner with my 270. I have an Elrod EPS 3 Sig from a cryo'd hubble to the conditioner and a Silent Source SIc PC from the analog side of the conditioner tothe Berning. Very Quiet.
84audio
175 posts
 
Everything is system dependent. I used the original Hydra with the Berning and it was an improvement. I have since upgraded to the Hydra8, and I find it to be quieter and smoother with a lower noise floor.
henry_la OP
13 posts
 
Just checking back on this thread. James1969, I have tried the original Hydra (w/ Python) for a couple of months, but sold it as I didn't hear any improvement on Berning.

Allan, thanks for the advice. I'll try it. Also I will call you in a month or two to discuss the upgrade options you've e-mailed me. I have the latest Merlin VSM-MX on order and will get it in ~2 weeks. Once I get used to the sound of the new speakers, I'll explore the Berning upgrades. Thanks.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
I am happy with a BPT w/my ZH-270.
allanbhaganinfo
121 posts
 
A ZH-270 is an extremely sophisticated piece of equipment, it does not look it from the outside but it is, proper AC power and grounding is suggested.

Power conditioning is sometimes a hit and miss proposition with any system, however it seems that the BPT is working out for most who try it, so certainly try it.

I believe Henry has a 96 model with the larger transformer for the Switching power supply, only about half a dozen amps were built with these in 96, they may emit a little buzz while working if the AC is not just right.
If my guess is right you maybe able to twist the wires around the trasnfromer with your fingers gently and reduce the buzz, do not do this with the amp pluged in or recently had on, or you'd be the one buzzing :)

Allan
james1969's avatar
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james1969
347 posts
 
Has anyone tried the Shunyata Hydra?
danamc
57 posts
 
Can't say I've had a problem with buzzing with my 270. I use a Silent Source PC on my Berning plugged into the analog section of a Sound Application XE-12s power conditioner. I've tried plugging the Berning directly into a dedicated 20A AC line, but feel my system comes together better when all components are plugged into the Conditioner, which is then plugged into the dedicated line with an Elrod Sig 3 PC.

In fact I have Silent Source PCs on all the components in the system: Ayre CX-7 CDP, Joule LA 100 MK3, Berning ZH-270, all connected with Cardas GR ICs.

Good luck!
georgia2k
27 posts
 
In my 75 year old house the ZH270 would emit a grounding "hum" whenever I plugged it direct into the wall ( upgraded FIM ) outlet. Had hum whether using cheater plug or not. No hum when plugged into BPT-2 Ultra or Sound Applications XE-12. I'm a big believer in BPT products.

I owned ZH-270 with NOS tubes and ERS kit. Used TG Audio SLVR power cable.

- Ken
stiltskin
499 posts
 
Hello Henry, Look into borrowing a burnt in shunyata taipan a.c.cord for your Berning...It will cost you nothing but your time to check it out... As for the slight buzz,give David a call...Good luck...
twl
3,251 posts
 
If you have low voltage lighting in the room, with ballasts in them, they might be sending out hash onto the line. They are notorious for doing this. Try to determine which lights that you have on when this noise occurs.
khokugo
122 posts
 
I use Silent Source Sig PC and Blue Circle Music Ring power conditioner. The dealer brought over the power conditioner and I did hear the difference for better. But, note that that may be the effect of Music Ring on CDP. My understanding is that ZH270 has several steps of conditioning in itself and external power conditioner shouldn't have much effect. But power cord still does make difference.
Lastly, I have never heard the "buzz" you mention.

Ken
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 
Henry,
I've heard that the commonly recommended mods for the Berning include the Silent Source power cable.
On my own amp, which doesn't have the upgrades, I use a Virtual Dynamics PC, and a Blue Circle Music Ring conditioner. It sounds quieter w/the conditioner than without. Either way, I'm feeding to a FIM outlet into a dedicated line.
I'd like to try some other PCs, but haven't had a chance to yet. Hope this helps a bit...Spencer
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