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Static electricity affecting sound reproduction. Please help!!
Hi everyone,
I’m having some weird issues with static electricity in my audio setup and I would appreciate your thoughts and tips before something gets fried.
For context, humidity where I live is currently around 38 – 41% which is not too bad. My couch produces a significant amount of static electricity so whenever I have a listening session, I’m sure I will shock myself whenever I get up and touch something metallic.
My current set up consists of almost all-schiit components:
Bifrost 2 DAC, Audiolab 6000 cd transport, Freya S preamp, Mani phono preamp, Loki mini eq, Asgard 3 headphone amp and Vidar amp, all going to a Furman M-8X2 power strip/conditioner and into a grounded (as of yesterday) outlet. My outputs are Elac DBR62 speakers and I also have a set of Sennheiser HD600 and Hifiman Sundara headphones.
Now, to the issue. Curiously, I started noticing this since I incorporated the Audiolab cd transport and the Furman power strip about 3 weeks ago.
Previous issue: While being charged up with static electricity, whenever I touched any of the components, a spark would fly and a light shock would happen. All regular stuff and this didn’t have any impact on music playback. Previously all my components were plugged into a cheap, basic power strip to an ungrounded outlet.
Current issue: Since adding the cd transport and the Furman power conditioner (I’m not saying any of these two components are at fault at this point, but I noticed this issue since incorporating them), whenever I touch any of the components while charged with static, the music is interrupted for a microsecond and then comes back. For those of you familiar with the Schiit Bifrost 2 DAC, whenever there’s an interruption or change in the data stream being fed, there’s audible clicks which are normal. In my current situation, the interruption of the music when the static shock occurs is accompanied of a couple of quick clicks from the Bifrost and then the music continues without issue. Now, what is REALLY strange to me is that this issue is amplified -no pun intended, when I’m listening through headphones where I don’t even need to touch any of the components or any metallic surface for the music to be interrupted. I assume the static is traveling from my body through the headphones into my system somehow. By the way, this happens with both the HD600 (all plastic body) and the Sundaras (metal frame). It even comes to the point with the Sundaras where I can audibly hear the static "trapped" in the headphones when I discharge in the way of a high pitch until I touch the headphone cable if it makes any sense.
While I could dig deeper into the issue to try to isolate what’s happening, I have a few questions I would appreciate your input with before doing anything. My fear at this point is that the constant discharge of static electricity could damage some of the components If I try to isolate the fault through further testing and replication of the issue given that there is now a direct negative effect in the sound playback with a physical reaction in the form of clicks from the DAC. My questions are:
- If the outlet where I’m plugging the Furman into is grounded, should/could the static discharge be still causing this reaction?
- Would it be worth trying to isolate the issue with the potential risk of damaging something or should I just live with it and look for alternatives such as a humidifier to decrease static buildup, stop listening with headphones, using another device or contraption to discharge myself constantly, etc?
- Is it “normal” for the static to be discharged through the headphones into the system even with the HD600 which are all plastic?
Thank you in advance for your comments, feedback and input. In the end, I just want to be able to sit down, enjoy the music without constantly worrying about frying something up.
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- 29 posts total
Years ago, before I remodeled my family room and removed the wall-to-wall carpeting, I had a bad problem with static electricity. I would get a huge shock when I touched my preamp and the unit's auto-muting circuit would kick in and the unit would shut off. My system sits next to my fireplace and a rack of metal fireplace tools. I learned to touch the metal tools before touching my audio gear and that worked to discharge the static electricity. The room now has hardwood floors and an area rug and I don't seem to have the static problem anymore. I used to have one of those Zerostat guns to neutralize static electricity on albums and CDs and that seemed to help if I "shot" it at my components before touching them. However, touching the fireplace tools was an easier solution!
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Do you have forced air heat in your house? That is a big factor in producing the static electricity. Also, the more air infiltration the house has that allows the cold dry air to cone in, the more you will need that humidifier. Apart from sealing your house from cold air, the quick way is, again, the whole house humidifier. I think you'd be amazed at the results.
That seems like a bandaid but certainly better than the other bandaids mentioned. After humidifier, you can even lower the temp in your house and have the same comfort level. Maybe start with a $20 hygrometer to check your humidity levels and go from there. |
I also hate that pesky static charge in the winter. I live in the Pacific Northwest so it's not a real problem unless we get a cold dry spell. I have noticed two things. There is some clothing that can cause it if you slide off your chair our couch and touch your gear and two depending on your footwear it can also contribute to the static build up. I just touch something metal near my rack before the equipment during high static conditions. |
The OP mentioned having a typical household humidity of, " ...around 38 – 41% which is not too bad." Well, here’s the Science and why I said, "Get a humidifier!": https://www.est-static.com/static.php Try for the 55% neighborhood, or: slightly above, for good results. https://www.condair.com/humidifiernews/blog-overview/why-does-low-humidity-cause-static-electricity |
- 29 posts total