2. amps-preamps
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Help with Bad Power

I just moved into a new apartment, and the electricity is just horrible. The lights dim when I turn on my equipment, and I can hear pops from my speakers if I switch anything (lights, ceiling fan, etc.) on. The worst thing is, I can hear a constant buzz coming out of my speakers. It's not super loud, but it is still audible from a distance of 2-3 feet. AND IT IS DRIVING ME CRAZY!

I had all my equipment shipped to my new apartment (I was moving from out of state), and there were never any problems like this before. I don't think anything was damaged during shipping. All my equip looks fine.

I've been surfing around on various posts, but what's the best solution here? A cheater plug? A power conditioner? Will a simple surge protector help?

I have pretty severe budgetary constraints here. My system is about at my budgetary limit, and I am not willing to drop $400 on a PS Audio power generator, or whatever the hell they are called.

Any help will be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!! Thanks!

My System:
Adcom GCD 750 CD Player
Adcom GFP 750 Pre (Passive Mode)
Rogue Audio 88 Magnum Amp
Proac Response 1sc Speakers
roguetubes731e
6 responses Add your response
audionutge2e5a
9 posts
 
Lifting the ground is a bad idea. What you need to do is isolate your system from the house. This can either be achieved by using a isolation transformer like a Plitrom Medical Grade Type 1 or by using a balanced transformer (60/60) (BPT, Equi-Tech, etc). In either case make sure you purchase a transformer that not only handles the max load of your system but also has a little extra because all transformers convert energy to heat. So to make sure dynamics are not restricted I would look at a transformer 25% to 50% larger than your system needs.

Regards,
Alan Maher
ceb222
15 posts
 
Hello,
I suggest you tell your landlord that there is a potentially dangerous electrical situation in the apartment
and get an electrician to fix it. Your stereo
will be fixed but that's the least of the problem. Anyway
it won't cost you anything. Good luck.
Carl
jdombrow
371 posts
 
Check out Sutton Designs NETSavers line conditioners (models LC600 and LC1250 ):

https://ssl-001.9netave.com/~ux243077/index.html

These are not necessarily designed for audiophile use, but they provide clean, stable power at a very reasonable price.
flex
292 posts
 
You need to begin with some analysis of your current. It sounds as though there is too much on one loop if the lights are dimming when the equipment is turned on. The hum on the speakers sounds like a ground loop. Find out what appliances are on what circuit loops and whether any current loops are shared with other apartments. If it's an old building with old wiring and there is really no hope, I'd talk to the superintendant and see whether you can install a separate dedicated line to the main panel at your expense. An electrician can do this without breaking the bank, and it would be the best place to start.
karls
332 posts
 
Sounds like you do indeed have terrible power. First, try lifting the grounds on the various pieces in various combinations using cheater plugs. This is very cheap and may at least improve the hum problem. Most simple surge protectors won't do much. I assume you're not able or willing to do any wiring changes, so you may be looking at the PS powerplants or similar if you want to really solve it.
rnm4
308 posts
 
Someone help rouguetubes. I need to listen in, as I have pretty much the same problem. it's keeping me from doing any upgrades at all, becuase they seem futile, given the crappy power.

RNM
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