really? .89c ground lifters?

On my system the solution is open the IEC Oyaide (equipment end) and lift the ground.

The reason to not do this at the wall is that would leave the ground as potential antenna into the equipment. This method leaves the wall plug ground pin in place which helps secure connection, especially for heavy AC cords.

All that being said, care must be taken when lifting the ground on any piece of equipment as the potential for shock is greatly increased.

No definitive advice on what components are best grounded and which best ungrounded. Over the years that answer has changed, dependent on individual components and even RCA versus XLR cable terminations (maddening).

Ground is one of the most misunderstood and difficult issues in high end systems. Get it right and everything sounds better and you obtain that nice black background that everyone wants. Get it wrong and you chase hum and buzz around via various sources.

I've had my share of this in my own system even though I run star grounds and dedicated lines for every piece in my rig.

As for the cheap ground lifters, I find them invaluable for testing, no sense in permanently lifting the ground on a AC plug just to see if that helps. The lifter lets you know where to work and then you can make it permanent.

it's like being visited upon by the gods when you weigh in, Albert. Seriously, thank you for taking the time. Very much appreciated.

Thank you but that does not apply to me. I do post a lot but as with most things in life, you get back pretty much what you put in. I can't count the number of time another Audiogon member has posted a comment and I cannot add a word, because it was so perfect.

I must assume from some that have posted here no one that lives in an older home that has only 2 wire receptacle outlets, (no equipment grounding conductor), has audio equipment that has three wire plugs.

My home was two prong plug when I moved in and never had a noise problem. Over the years as my AC was upgraded and the three prong plugs of audio gear were actually connected to ground, I began to have problems.

When I say problems, realize that having done photography for various audio manufacturers and reviewed equipment for PFO as well as my audio groups testing, I've had a heck of a lot of equipment connected here.

Ralph is right that grounds are done many different ways on various pieces of audio gear and sometimes all you need do is change preamp or amps and the problem pops up.

No one has mentioned electrical phase. Many stereo systems are connected to both phases (or sides of the supply transformer outside) with ground shared. Good way to get hum and very difficult to get rid of.

Again, equipment dependant. I'm sure some of you are connected this way and have zero problems.

Remember,this means absolutely nothing if your receptacles are wired wrong. Don't laugh, it happens all the time.
Tpreaves (Threads | Answers)

Or if your electrical is wired reversed inside the equipment. This happens too.

Also, some equipment with three prong power cable actually have the ground lifted inside the chassis. I've owned several amps wired this way.

Guess that falls into the category of XLR inputs that are jumped over to the RCA so customers can operate their system in balanced.

In that case it should be referred to as a convenience jack. I've owned several products like this, many people think because the plug is there the unit is properly wired to accommodate it.