Hi, I don't know if you solved your issue but a while back I went through some similar problems with my Classe CT-2300 and to a lessor extent an Acurus A200 used for surround channels.
Some phone time with Classe tech support and through some experimenting, it was decided that my Plasma television was introducing DC into the AC line.
I have since plugged the television into a different circuit altogether, and my complete audio system is on two circuits on the same power leg.
My amplifiers are quiet and my system sounds great. |
All transformers buzz and the changes you are hearing may be related to power line harmonics. HTH is correct about the windings vibrating not the core. If you own a smartphone, download a microphone app that records and displays the audible frequency; a number of them exist for very little $$. I'm guessing if it's 60 HZ it's mains related, if it's 120HZ or higher it may be power supply noise on the secondary winding of the transformer. In either case, it's likely not out of the ordinary. |
I may be interferece getting on your power lines . The transformer in that amp is apparently more susceptible to it than other amps. Check for any flourescent lights or dimmers being used that use the same circuit. It could be getting worse each time your refrigerator or heating unit kicks on too. Try to isolate the amp circuit from the digital and tv circuits.
I had a very high end integrated that had a similar "periodic" noise and the solution ultimately was teh manufacturer redesigned the transformer. In this case, it is not an option so the "preventive" measures are to attempt to minimize the noise to a tolerable level.
A power conditioner may help but my experience is it doesn't. I had some success with a PS Audio humbuster but not always. The humbuster is good at stopping DC noise but not much else and usually it is not "just DC noise" you are getting.
The gentleman who recommended "tack" I believe was referring to "Blu-tac" which is an expensive version of mortite (also available at places like HD or Lowes, much cheaper and just as effective). Basically you would use it to damp the transformer to tame the vibrations. With a toroidal transformer it is usually the internal windings that are vibrating so the noise will not stop but the damping may at least reduce the "volume".
HTH |
Yep, I that's what I was doing. RCA outs from the directv box to a Marantz AV7005 and into the H/K, with the TV speakers set to zero. I would be running everything HDMI through the Marantz but I don't have cables long enough yet. I'm going to be rearranging the whole room over the next couple weeks, so it's possible that a new outlet and/or different location in the room could clear it up. |
If you are using it with a TV, then you very possibly have a ground loop problem related to your cable or satellite box.
I use the L & R audio outputs from my satellite box to feed my receiver and not the outputs from the TV. I just mute the TV speakers. |
I picked it up on ebay for $135, so I don't have much invested in it. I wouldn't be able to hear it over music, but it was audible while watching TV due to the pauses and breaks in the audio. I'll probably just live with it for a while and upgrade to something a bit nicer a few months down the line. |
The PA5800 is not an amp I would put too much work into. When I owned one,there was a distinct drop in overall volume level anytime I switched from two-channel playback to multi-channel. I replaced it with an Onkyo AVR, which was a surprisingly better performer. |
If it's loud enough to hear over moderate volume music, I'm guessing it's not the typical transformer "buzz". The periodic nature of it concerns me. Of course, trying the typical fixes for that problem described by others can't hurt. Not sure I'd go so far as resoldering all of the joints until you figure out if there is a bigger problem. |
Yep, it's toroidal. I'll open it up and see what I can do. It was bugging the heck out of me last night, very clearly audible from across the room. |
If it has a toroidal transformer, they have been known to buzz. You can try to reorient the transformer and change the mounting tension or possibly replace the rubber damping between the coil and the mounting washers with better materials from Herbies Audio Lab. Some of this can also be tried for the mounting of c-core transformers. |
What do you mean by tack? Considering that the noise has a very distinct pulse to it, I'd expect there's a more fundamental underlying cause, and that just dampening the vibration would be going after it directly. |
Under chassis remove the screws from power transformer, treat them with tack and screw them back tight. Also would not hurt to reconnect/re-mount power transistors wit new tack to te heat sinks. Finally it's always good to inspect cold solder joints and apply fresh solder throughout PCB. |
