2. amps-preamps
  3. 185834-181583

Short?

I have a McIntosh integrated hybrid tube amp / VPI table / Revel speakers.  When the AC comes on or off in the room i hear a loud pop.  I used to think it was a scratch on the album but now I realize its some sort of elelctrical issue.  I thought it might be a table grounding ussue but now it also happens occaisionally now when I'm not playing an album.  So does the amp need to be grounded?  And to what?  Thanks.

mojo771

Showing 3 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
16,560 posts
 

PS - Motors in the home, like AC or house fans, vacuum cleaners will absolutely produce noise which makes it through the filters to produce _faint_ popping sounds.  

 

erik_squires
16,560 posts
 

OP:

While it can be an external source, I’m worried with amps, especially tube amps, that capacitors in the circuits can start to leak and cause these popping issues. Best to have it taken care of early.

Tube gear uses coupling caps to keep high voltages (300V DC or higher) from going downstream which expects +- 2V of AC. Sadly some of these caps lose their effectiveness and start to short. These popping sounds can be the result.

Often this happens as caps charge up, that is, when you turn the unit on, and then the effects cease, but not always. 

erik_squires
16,560 posts
 

This doesn't sound like a grounding issue, unless you have very high amounts of static (low humidity).

Sounds much more like a failing cap and it needs to be serviced.

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