2. amps-preamps
  3. 1343563333

HUM - you can catch fish in a dingy too.

You can go buy a six-figure bass boat to catch fish, but you can catch the same fish out of a $200 rowboat.

So, I had - HAD - a hum problem in my system that was driving me nuts for about a year. It started out that it was the amplifier making the speakers hum even when the source or pre-amo was disconnected. Then I got a new preamp and the amp was quiet but the hum returned as soon as I took the preamp off mute - basically the hum jumped components, which left me drooling in rage and confusion. I switched sources, switched cables, switched ICs and speaker cables, added a power supply then plugged everything directly into the wall.... Arrrggghh!!!

Finally, in desperation I did something that I don't like for a number of reasons: I stuck a 35 cent cheater plug between the pre-amp and the power supply (which is itself still grounded) and the hum FINALLY went away. $15,000 worth of audio jewelry and it took a 35 cent piece of plastic to make it work right. Sometimes we are too smart for our own good. Just thought I'd share.
grimace

Showing 1 response by whart

whart's avatar
whart
3,128 posts
 
I have no idea if this will solve your problem, but I took a look at your system pics, and it looks like the amp is next to the TT and the preamp is under it? Perhaps reposition those components? Try the amp on a floor with some sort of platform or coupling/decoupling, once you sort out the hum issue?
Hum is one of my nightmare issues, because I run really efficient speakers and you can hear every gremlin. You might also look at what else you have plugged in, even if you are using dedicated lines. I know that a humidifier plugged into a bedroom will create hum in my system, although i have a separate subpanel and dedicated lines. Ditto, some low intensity lighting in our kitchen.
Good luck. I came from the 'Burgh. Used to go to Opus One, long gone.
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