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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 tobaccoleafpie

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tobaccoleafpie OP
36 posts
 
Well, the hum is definitely not thru the speakers. Its in the amp. I kinda figured the hum would be explained away by the manufacturer that it is due to the enormous power supply. (Thanks Theo) Don't you think for $8000 it should be quiet too? (I paid $6K for mine before the price went up.)

I have no cable TV. Too cheap. I mainly use my system for listening to music, DVDs and vinyl.

I was shopping at my dealer with my buddy yesterday (he wants a system too) so I sneaked away to the room where they keep their McIntosh amps. Lo and behold, their MC205 did it too. A salesperson was wondering why I had my ear pressed against their amp.

So Theo, what is a sorbethane footing and where do I get one? Aren't there air vents underneath the amp and would it interfere with venting and cooling?

Thanks all.
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