Got Static?


All:

I am completely vexed and need some suggestions....

The problem: I am hearing occasional "ticks" which I believe are associated with static buildup in my system. The "ticks" occur randomly, roughly one to three times during the playback of a CD. I hear them during vinyl playback as well but it is sometimes hard to distinguish them from surface tics or pops. These "ticks" can sometimes be heard when the system is idling with the mute button disengaged--when the mute is "on" they cannot be heard. The frequency of the "ticks" appears to increase as the humidity level drops--the colder and dryer it is the more of them I hear. Thus, the problem is less of an issue in the summer (unless running the AC) and is pretty darn annoying in the winter. Sometimes, when I touch my gear I receive a small shock which is translated by the speakers. I have tried to ground my rack but this has not helped. Believing it may be a grounding issue I have also tried cheater plugs on my CD player and/or linestage--no change. The funny thing is I have been at this for 25+ years (with many different system configurations) and this issue has never been a problem until the last year or so--can't figure out why it has become one now.

Any ideas about WHAT is causing this and HOW to stop it? Anyone else have this issue?
dodgealum

Showing 1 response by zephyr24069

Get a whole-house humidifier unit and have it inserted in-path with all your Heating/Cooling ducts (Aprilaire and other manufacturers make them) to keep the humidity level in your home balanced and in a reasonable range. Experiment with what is both comfortable and good for your system. I know this seems counter-intuitive in the months where your air conditioning (or heat pump if you live where they are used for both heating and cooling) is running however it sounds like you have a combination of abnormally low humidity coupled with materials in area rugs, the shoe/sneaker soles and/or socks that you might be wearing when you move across the room. Use of AC or a heat pump for heating or cooling when you are already low in humidity in the home only serves to pull down the levels even further. You can still humidify while these devices are running to achieve a balance in the home.

One thing is certain though; you cannot transfer static to your system from across the room so if you are hearing the results of build-up even when you are sitting across the room using the remote, you have an abnormally low humidity condition in the house in general. All the other feedback is good above but you probably have something that requires a bit more work to resolve. My 2 cents....