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Noise & Hum Rating

I am having a hum issue - steady state regardless of whether the pre-amp is connected, and no change with an increase in volume - and the amp has been back to Cary where it checked out fine. At this point I've assumed it's a ground loop.

The manual for my amp, a Cary V12R, states "Noise/Hum: > 84db below rated output." Output on the amp is 50 watts triode and 100 watts UL. Does the rating suggest that there will always be some hum and that this is normal? Does anyone know how this rating works at a practical level? Cary didn't have much of an explanation except to say that yes, some hum is normal.

Thanks!
grimace

Showing 1 response by ether

ether
64 posts
 
I think some of it depends on your level of tolerance.
I also tried Cary but it was the 120s MKII and was getting irritating by the hum coming from the transformes and some low hum from speakers when music wasn't playing.
All this wasn't even really audible from my listening spot but as I was near the equipment I could surely hear it and it drove me nuts.....
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