My "Hummer" is driving me nuts


I am new to tube equipment, so know very little about it. I purchased a British-made Grant power amplifier, 50 watts? per channel, four large tubes, four small ones. Sounds terrific, however, when the volume is turned all the way down, I can hear a low-frequency hum from both speakers. Not loud, but definitely discernable. Increasing volume does not affect the hum. I have ruled out the preamp as cause, having swapped in a second pre, also ruled out cable interference, as I've set up the system in two different rooms with different configurations and different cable and hum remains constant. My questions are, what might be the source of the hum? Will swapping out tubes eliminate it? Any suggestions on what steps to take next? Thanks! Ben
128x128balthus
did you try a ground cheater yet? it will cost you $1 and should be tried before you take in the amp for repair
I agree with Elevick. I had to go throght the same process of elimination until I found the culprit. The "cheater" plug did the trick. Very frustrating, however necessary. Good luck
Another culprit of hum is incoming cable if running your Tv outputs to your stereo. If this is the case you can buy an isolator from Radio shack. I also had a Grant tube head amp and unfortunately could Not rid myself of 60 hz.Good luck
Forgot one other item: Do you have any other household items on that same circuit? A tv upstairs, a fishtank downstairs, a lamp in the living room...? This stuff can cause a hum. Try shutting off the breaker and see what else goes out.