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Ground loop b/w amp and phono stage

I recently bought the Ayon Triton integrated and when it is connected to my phono stage, Pass Labs XP-15, there is a major buzz coming through the speakers which increases as you turn up the volume. You can even hear it through the music when played at high volume. Needless to say, I'm not playing vinyl at the moment. But when I used the CD player, there is no buzz at all. It's only there on the input which the phono is connected to.

I have used cheater plugs, cheap cables with the ground removed, I've connected the amp directly into the wall plug, I switched from unbalanced to balanced interconnects, and am currently out of ideas. The Pass worked perfectly with my previous solid state mcintosh gear.
ssayeed

Showing 5 responses by ssayeed

ssayeed OP
37 posts
 
Jea48, yeah I tried that. Depending on whether the ground is lifted, there is more or less sound but either way it's still pretty loud.

Atmasphere, I have used this phono and these arms with two other amps and have not had an issue. Dead silence. One was a McIntosh C2300 and MC501 combo and the other was a Cary Cad-300. Tomorrow, I am borrowing an Ear 834p from a friend and trying that. I'll let you guys know what happens.
ssayeed OP
37 posts
 
I ended up borrowing an Aesthetix Rhea and the problem persisted. Any ideas?
ssayeed OP
37 posts
 
Yes, the TT is grounded to the phono stage. I don't have any shorting plugs but will get some and give it a try. I was told by the dealer who sold me the Ayon that it's a ground loop but based on some of the stuff I have been reading and the fact that the volume increases the buzz, I don't know if this is the case.
ssayeed OP
37 posts
 
Jea48, if I do that, there is no sound. I tried an rca cable plugged into the input section of the phono stage though (Kent at Pass Labs asked me to this) and the buzz returned. Don't think it is the table as I have 2 arms and have tried both. And yes, the ground is connected firmly. Am going to borrow a phono stage from a friend tomorrow and will see if that fixes it.

Atmasphere, I have tried cheater plugs as mentioned in the description at the beginning of the post and there was no change.
ssayeed OP
37 posts
 
Jea48, I tried all those suggestions except the TT switch. I have used four different interconnects between the amp and the phono and used all the amp inputs on the amp.

Ghost rider, the phono is on the shelf below the amp on a wide shelf, but I have moved it to different parts of the shelf and even off the shelf altogether. No change.

Atmasphere, yes I used cheater plugs on the amp. I also used a cheater plug on the power conditioner. No change.

If I do not connect the ground wire to the phono stage, the sound is reduced but it is still there. Any more ideas?
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