A friend who suffered with this problem, only to a much greater degree, told me of this thread. Most of what has been said is fairly accurate. DC on an AC line in excess of 1 volt makes a toroidal transformer hum. Also, as has been pointed out, most transformers hum - magnetic flux in action. However, when it is audible it is excessive. It really has to do with how the transformer was wound. In addition to power conditioners with huge toroidal transformers, we make a DC blocking power cord that has thus far been effective in eliminating hum in the excess DC situations. I am not here to hawk my products, but if you have an interest, just ask.