2. amps-preamps
  3. 126866-10110

Cheater plug safety

So I recently decided to swap out my subwoofer amp for another one I had to see if it worked better with the driver. It did, but I have run into a slight problem. My old sub amplifier had a captive two prong cord. The new one has a 3 prong cord.

The subwoofer amp resides on a different AC circuit than the rest of the system. (Can’t be avoided)

Although the new amp is an upgrade for the sub, there seems to be a ground issue that is hazing up my transparency and sound stage. The system looses some air when the sub amps ground isn't lifted. There is no hum problem through any speaker per se, but just an overall sonic degradation when the ground is left in place. Using a cheater plug just on the sub amp brings back The transparency and it sounds absolutely beautiful.

I read that this can be dangerous, though. (Then why are these created plugs made?) anyway, I also read that as long as the amplifier with lifted ground is connected to the rest of the system via interconnect , and the other components are grounded, then the amp will use the ground from the other circuit that the other equipment is connected to and you are "safe", and only some very unlikely happenings, such as an internal ac wire becoming loose and touching the chassis and standing in a puddle of water should cause a concern. I even had a parasound 750 amp in my college dorm that even suggested using a cheater plug if needed for hum, sooooooo.........

At any rate I am addicted to the sound at the moment and going back without the cheater plug just sounds dull and fuzzy. The system is resolving and shows just about anything you do to it. Mind you, it’s not a night and day difference that would say that there is something wrong with any of the equipment, just a subtle but very tangible improvement that I definitely like and desire. The equipment is working 100% properly.....

It sounds so much better than the old amp and the transparency and air I’m getting right now are rediculous, but I don’t want to get shocked, but the chances seem to be very slim. Can anyone advise?
audiolover718

Showing 2 responses by arcticdeth

arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
my sunfire sig has only  the  two prong plug, no ground plug.
 so putting a three prong adapter will essentially do nothing ? correct?

 also the house wiring from box to outlet is basic thin stuff, commercial wire.
 adding an expensive power cable will also do nothing. as if theres 300 feet of garbage wire, how do you expect to get better sound by adding another 4 foot of high quality wire? don't make sense, now if you wired your house with all 8 gauge to your dedicated 20 or 30 amp breakers, and used a good power cable, i can see an upgrade. other than that, its a waste of money
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
may i put a 3 prong on my amp? its the sunfire which the older ones just came with a two prong. no ground.

or just use as built, into the wall or a good surge protector ?
More to discover