Hunting down a HUM


Most of us have been through this at times. This one is presently defeating me.
When I turn off my external phono stage the hum persists - undiminished. Phono lead (Hovland MusicGroove) is earthed both ends. Always perfect silence on all other line inputs.

Until recently I was using the integrated mc valve phono stage in my Hovland HP100. (RIP Hovland) It hummed but not too intrusively and I put it down to the valves.
Last week I resurrected my EAR834P which had been modified to their top spec by Great Northern Sound Co (RIP GNSC). The hum was noticeably quieter but still evident - and still total silence on all other inputs. Again I put it down to the valves.

I only found out the hum persisted because I could turn off the EAR before the HP100 (yes - I did wait a while...)

In case relevant - VPI SSM Ref deck with 10.5i arm. Apart from the Hovland phono cable my system's wiring loom is exclusively Audience. (Au24e & SE interconnects. Powerchords all 'e' except the Au24 feeding the Audience AR TSS2 power conditioner). Finally - I live in deep countryside where RFI is nothing like city levels. I've never found it a problem (?... before..)

Any thoughts on causes &or elimination processes very gratefully received.
rateourmover

Showing 1 response by sarcher30

Try disconnecting the tonearm ground wire and see if it's better or worse.

Another thing to try is floating the ground on different pieces of eq. Floating the ground on my TT power supply helped in my system.