What's making my system hum?


I have a  Swagman Labs linear power supply feeding the Rega TT-PSU turntable controller. Lately I have noticed a hum audible through the speakers when turned up to about 50 percent of full volume. When I switch the Rega TT-PSU back to its wall-wart power supply, the hum disappears. When I move the power supply away from the TT-PSU, the hum also disappears.

The rest of my system consists of a Rogue Audio Ares phono stage, a VTL IT-85 integrated amp, Vandersteen Treo CT speakers, and various boxes (computer, DAC, linear power supply) to play digital music. There's  virtually no hum when the VTL is set to any source except the turntable.

The obvious solution is to keep the power supply and turntable controller farther apart, but I can't help wondering what's causing this. Anyone have any ideas?
john_g

Showing 3 responses by john_g

Thanks for the suggestions, folks. 

lowrider57, the cables are all pretty good quality, including the one between the power supply and TT-PSU. 

ozzy, the cart is a Rega Apheta 2 moving coil. I tried running a ground wire from the tonearm to the grounding terminal on the phone stage and only got more hum. I'm a little leery of flipping hot and neutral on the power supply but may give it a try if I can find a cheater.
For what it's worth, all the devices except the integrated amp are plugged into the same power distributor, and it's plugged into the same wall outlet as the amp. That wall outlet is the only thing on the circuit, and that circuit's breaker is the top one in the breaker box.