Redkiwi is right on getting rid of the strip!!! How power gets into yor gear has a lot to do on what you hear no matter the equipment combination. In your particular case as Audiolover says you´ll have to play a little to get the right setup. Suggest you try (test to writeout the strip) OUT the power strip by plugging the amp directly to wall, they need whatever power you might provide them. The same for the pre and cdplayer if physically possible in another nearby wall plate. You might find much better performance although not the best (with this test) which really point you into improving the blood supply that keeps your gear alive:electrical power. Give it a try and tell us how it goes.
Why can't my components just get along?
Ok, I've been reading these forums fairly dilligently for about six months now, and my system recently came up with a new one (bless its dark little soul). I am fairly consistently getting distortion (static and a general fizzle) on certain high range frequencies. Both channels, sometimes more pronounced in one than the other, and arratic. Last night, determined to track it down, my first thought was to turn on the headphone amp (run out of the tape loop on the preamp) and see if it came through the headphones as well. It didn't, so, I figure, a couple of possible sources down. Then I take off the headphones, and it's no longer coming out of the speakers, either. Hummm. After repating the procedure about 7 or 8 times just to be sure I wan't crazy, I confirmed that certain frequencies distort from the speakers when the headphone amp if off, but not when it's on. (I then threw up my hands in disgust, left the amp on, and listened to some music). My question is, what gives? Am I going to have to buy some fancy power conditioner? Is that what I need? The full rundown, if it helps in the diagnostics, is: Ah!Tjoep CDP, VTL 2.5 pre, Bryston 4b-st amp, Headroom for the cans, and a synergistic/monster/dimarzio/kimber mix for the other bits. Its all plugged into a rinky-dink little power strip-surge protector (sigh)--the culprit? The transformer on the pre also appears to be complaining a bit, another symptom of bad power? I know, a long and rambling question, but any guidance would be much appreciated.