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Sub-woofer hum problem

Hi, I know this has been covered ad nauseum but my plebian brain can't come up with a solution. Here's the system: Wadia 850 cd player connected to an Eddie Vaughn Carina set el84 integrated amp in turn connected to Reference 3A speakers. I have a MJ Acoustics (REL) sub-woofer that is connected to the speaker terminals of the Vaughn via a Neutrik cable. I get really audible hum even when the amp is off and still connected to the sub. With the Neutrik connection disconnected from the sub there is zero noise, dead quiet, even when the amp and cd player are still plugged into the wall sockets. So my handful of brain cells tell me there is something not very synergistic going on between the sub and the amp. Any ideas greatly appreciated as I would like to use the sub to augment the speakers.

Thanks in advance, Cort Chambers
goofycarp

Showing 1 response by jmcgrogan2

jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Sounds like a ground loop hum. No cable tv involved anywhere in this setup? If no tv, is the sub plugged into a different outlet than the integrated amp? If so, try plugging them into the same outlet or power conditioner and see what happens. If this isn't possible, Google "ground loop eliminator for XLR", and look at your options.
Tube amps are very sensitive to both music and ground loop issues.
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