2. amps-preamps
  3. 147087-36148

Help - I've Got the Dreaded Transformer Growl....

I'm on week 3 with my new office amplifier - Hegel H590 integrated amplifier driving KEF Reference 1's. Absolutely killer thus far. Dynamic, powerful, detailed, smooth and dead quiet at the speaker. One problem - the amp sometimes produces a buzz/hum at the amplifier. It's typically dead quiet during the evening/weekends but buzzes during the day. The Hegel is dead silent at the dealer so he’s telling me that I either have DC on the line or excessive harmonic distortion on the power line. The dealer says that it’s time to go for a power conditioner.

I’m considering the following power conditioners:

1. Audioquest Niagra
2. Shunyata Hydra or Denali
3. Torus RM 20
4. PS Audio P15 or P20

Does anyone have experience with transformer buzzing caused by DC on the line and did the power conditioner properly address the issue? Also wondering if I should first try the Emotiva CMX-2 AC line filter with DC offset eliminator. A very cheap option at $129. Anyone tried one and did it work and/or degrade your system sound?

Thanks for your help!Ken
keoliphant

Showing 2 responses by jea48

jea48
4,572 posts
 
keoliphant OP50 posts

03-13-2019 5:52pm

Back to the drawing board. The Emotiva CMX-2 didn’t help at all so it’s being returned tomorrow.
https://www.hegel.com/products/integrated/h590

The DC blocker must have an ampere rating as big or bigger than the amplifier idle ampere rating as well as the FLA rating of the amplifier.

Check out this unit.
https://avahifi.com/products/humdinger-dc-line-blocker

Give them a call and ask them if their unit is rated big enough for your amp. If not ask them what they would charge to build you one that is.

Audio by Van Alstine

2665 Brittany Lane
Woodbury, MN 55125
(651) 330-9871

.

Jim

.


jea48
4,572 posts
 
peter781 posts

01-22-2020
8:51am


Hi!

I have bought the IsoTek Titan One power conditioner for my H590. The humming is unfortunately only a little quieter than before. I’m already beginning to doubt whether the expensive Titan One will even have the effect in DC blocking it promises.


I’m already beginning to doubt whether the expensive Titan One will even have the effect in DC blocking it promises.
@ peter78
Where does it say the unit has a built in DC blocker circuit?


Overview

The Titan One re-engineers IsoTek’s unique multi-award winning Direct-Coupled© technology into a discrete single cell version, offering the ultimate high current, low impedance power conditioner in the smallest form factor possible.

  • Removes both Common Mode and Differential Mode mains noise.
  • Dedicated single outlet delivers a clean high current, low impedence, low distortion mains supply.
  • Unique single cell mains cleaning system that reduces RFI by 82dB (50 ohms standard) down to 5Hz frequency range.
  • Internal wiring; solid core silver plated PCOCC with FEP virtually an air dielectric.
  • 3680W of high current clean power for power amplifiers sub woofers etc.
  • Available with UK, EU, US, Australian, Swiss and South African outlets.
https://www.isoteksystems.com/product/mosaic/evo3-titan-one/

Jim


More to discover