Static electricity: Unique to Vinyl Systems?

Marakanetz

The problem was noticed with my old vinyl rig, which was a Rega P-5 feeding a PS Audio phono pre amp. First I changed turntables (Clearaudio Concept mc, new tone arm), then changed to a Jolida phono preamp.
The reason that I changed was a loud transformer hum in the PS Audio (I decided to change TT because I wanted to move to a mc setup). The hum is fixed but all this other stuff is still there, and for the first time I've noticed it occurring when no records are playing.
I'm realizing the one thing that i haven't changed is the power cord (SHunyata
Hydra). I will change that next, but I'm wondering if it is a static issue or something with the main, although it doesn't affect the digital sources at all.

Sounds like pickup of RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) to me. Try turning off all fluorescent lights, including compact fluorescents that fit in incandescent fixtures, as well as all dimmer switches which may be in the house, and anything else that could conceivably be generating significant RFI.

Regards,
-- Al

I agree with Al (airborne rather than system borne.) In addition to the sources of RFI he mentions, I'd like to add two more: (1.) the power cables on ANY digital equipment, and (2.)the RFI created by static discharge such as people walking across rugs/carpets, clothes tumbling in the dryer, etc.

It is important that power cables used with ANY equipment containing digital processing circuits (even if it's just a digital display) are well shielded. And that the associated outlets (wall or power conditioner) have filters that drain 'digital hash' to ground.

I have heard RFI noise from some Class D switching amps to be continuous and at high frequencies. I would associate "Pops and clicks" more typically with static electricity on vinyl records themselves when discharged through the phono ground periodically during playback rather than prior to playing . Low level phonos are without doubt most susceptible to all these noise sources + EMI as well.

1) I would not trust any aftermaket powercords, but that's just me I guess. My background and current work as live sound tech is what really pulls me off any fancy stuff like that especially when spoken about high gain devices. I would hate to attack anyone who does like aftermarket PCs here because there had been gazillion posts, but regardless, try to use stock power instead and see if it goes away.

2) I'd also try to avoid any MC step ups as there's theoretically none's better than direct to SUT-free phonostage. If you can afford SUT, either you can afford better and higher out MC or MM cartridge and you get your sound set up substantially better and who knows maybe your SUT a-bit 'unhappy' where it is where could be numerous reasons and impedance mismatch isn't the first or last.

3) Power ground isolation. I've seen many home wireing where newtral is instead of ground or ground isn't connected at all