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Will cheater rob my PC's?

My REL Storm is dead quiet when connected to my Berning ZH-270 amp, but exhibits a low-level hum when connected to my new Art Audio Diavolo amp. Other than amps, all connections are the same. The REL is plugged into a different outlet than the rest of the equipment, but that's out of necessity due to location and lack of additional outlets. And as I mentioned, it's perfectly behaved with the Berning.

I've tried a cheater plug on the REL to no avail. The amps are connected to a PS Audio Ultimate Outlet which has had it's outgoing ground wire disconnected, so in essense, the amps have had their grounds lifted. The remainder of the equipment is connected to a PS Audio PS300, which is grounded.

I'm getting ready to try connecting cheater plugs to all the equipment with the exception of the preamp. But I'm concerned about the negative effect this will have on all my expensive power cords connected to this equipment.

Wouldn't the cheap cheater plug wipe out all the benefits of having a high end PC?

Any and all opinions are welcome.
kenl

Showing 2 responses by islandflyfisher

islandflyfisher
94 posts
 
Kenl,

I had the same problem with my REL Stadium III. I was using a Parasound 2200 2-channel amp and a Parasound 2203 3-channel amp for HT. When running the REL off my 2203, I had no hum at all. Running off the 2200, resulted in a horrible ground loop hum.

Because my system was designed to run my 2-channel off the 2200, I had a major problem. End result, initally I used a cheater plug to lift the ground. After I determined my problem, I simply disconneced the ground on the IEC side of my AC power cord going to the 2200 amp eliminating the need for the cheater plug.

I believe that with my two amp the 2200, primary ground was achieved through my interconnects. When the REL was introduced to the system, primary ground changed and noise was picked up from the AC power cord. Once lifting the ground, it changed primary ground again and the noise was eliminated. Be patient and I'm sure you will enventually figure it out. You might want to call Sumiko. Whether you purchase your sub new or used, it came for Sumiko one way or another and they will be more than happy to assist you.

I seriously doubt that eliminating or lifting ground will degrade sound quality with you aftermarket power cord.
islandflyfisher
94 posts
 
Kenl,

I'd try a cheater plug only on the Diavolo amp when pluging it into your PS Audio surge protector and then try removing the PS Audio piece altogether. If that does not work, try a cheater on the REL and on both amps and sub. Try disconnecting your innterconnects going to your amp and see if you hum gets worst or changes tone. It this makes a change, you may want to lift the ground on your preamp. Do you get hum when you disconnect the Neutrik connector and just use the low level input for 5.1 via RCA? Try every combination possible. It's a matter of figuring out how to bypass your ground loop.
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