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Speaker Hum Question

I'm fairly new to the high-end audio scene, and just took delivery of my new system last night. I set up the system myself, and it sounds fantastic, and I expect it will get better as everything settles in. Here's my question: there is a very slight hum/buzz (very VERY slight) from the right speaker's tweeter that is present when the source component isn't playinhg, even when the preamp is in standby mode. The noise is not audible or distracting when music is playing. there is no corresponding noise from the left speaker. I do know that the electric line is not a s clean as it could be -- it is not grounded properly. This will be remedied soon, as I am having a dedicated line installed. Could this be the culprit? Is the noise anything to be concerned about, or is it just me being overly paranoid?

System:

Sonic Frontiers Line 1 Preamplifier
Thorens TTA 2300 Amplifier (dual mono, 120 WPC)
Joseph Audio RM25Si Loudspeakers
Sony SCD-1 SACD Player
Jolida Tube Tuner
Audio Quest Viper interconnects
Transparent Plus Biwire Speaker Cables
Monster Power 2000 Power Conditioner
andrewbuck
audiofile9
45 posts
 
If the noise is only audible with your ear very close to the tweeter, it is probably no big deal. If it is audible from the seated position, it is something to investigate, but probably not any reason to panic.

However, if only ONE speaker is making the noise, that is a bit unusual. Note: it is definitely not the speakers' "fault" because they will only produce any noise that is already being sent to them from something else.

My guess would be a slightly noisey tube somewhere in the system, perhaps if your amp has tubes in it. It may go away as the tubes "break in", OR, it may get worse. These changes will point to a tube for sure.

Overall, if the noise is not audible during music playback, don't get depressed. Just enjoy your new system for a week or two, and see what happens. If it is still there or getting worse, try switching the interconnects between left and right, at the AMP (turn it off first!) If the noise moves over to the other side, it's probably the preamp's fault. Otherwise, I would suspect the amp.
andrewbuck OP
2 posts
 
The amp is solid state, so if a tube's the problem, then the preamp's the culprit. The preamp is a preowned unit (in basically mint condition), so a bad tube wouldn't necessarily surprise me. Again, though, the hum is very slight, and it doesn't really bother me. Once music is playing, it goes away, with barely a hint left in silent portions of the music. I just thought it odd that I heard it on one side and not the other.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
...it's quite unusual that just only one speaker produces hum.
Try to switch all of the sources off or switch between each other and hear if there will be the noise
If the noise is being produced from any of the source you can contact your dealer and explain the situation
Less likely it will be a "tube break-in" in your tuner nor break-in of your SCD-1
The hum could be 60Hz from the power line and it's audiable from base-midrange driver. The tweeter can produce a 60hz claps that sound like a motorcycle if you will put your ear firmly to the tweeter. In this situation only both speakers can be affected. So if you place an ear firmly to the other speaker's tweeter -- you'll know for sure.
Sometimes the digital source components have very high output signal that can overload the input of the preamp (escpcially tube) and cause an offset violation of the input circuit of it. In this case you should try to use tape input instead of dedicated CD.
jcbtubes
400 posts
 
Andrew- With mono amps, it is always a possibility that you have a slight ground loop problem, particularly if you already know that there is a grounding issue with the house. Also, other devices that are on that A/C circuit can easily manifest noise onto the line that feeds only that amp (assuming you're using different outlets/circuits to power the two mono amps). Lights, refrigerator, fans, TV, computer, etc... can all be culprits.
If you think it's the pre-amp, simply swap the output cables at the back. If the noise appears in the other channel, then it 'could be' simply a tube issue.

Try not to sweat the small stuff, and enjoy the music.
Just my .02
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