McIntosh MC205 hum


My McIntosh MC205 hums. It is set up with all the proper interconnects and I use a Krell HT Standard as the processor. It hums and is a bit annoying. Is this natural? I went back to my dealer and they said I had improper grounding. It is plugged into a surge protector which goes into a 3 prong wall outlet. The surge protector indicated protected but not grounded. I have an old house. There are walls that I've opened elsewhere in the house and there ground wires running from the box. So I bought a green ground wire and grounded the wall outlet to the box. Surge protector still did not show grounded.

However, I did go to my dealer, put my ear up to their MC205 and their's hums too.

So is this something natural for an $8000 amp? Any feedback is appreciated.
tobaccoleafpie

Showing 1 response by swampwalker

If the sound is from the amp itself and not through the speakers, its likely a transformer vibration which I call buzz. Try telling your dealer its a transformer buzz and ask them to tighten the hold down bolts. These are sometimes difficult to prevent, but if you bought it from a retail dealer he should help you out.

If the sound is through the speakers it may well be a grounding issue, but since you say you have an HT processor, it may be your cable TV. Try disconnecting the cable co-ax and see if it goes away. If it does, try a ground isolation transformer which can be purchased at radio shack.