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Ground loop b/w amp and phono stage

I recently bought the Ayon Triton integrated and when it is connected to my phono stage, Pass Labs XP-15, there is a major buzz coming through the speakers which increases as you turn up the volume. You can even hear it through the music when played at high volume. Needless to say, I'm not playing vinyl at the moment. But when I used the CD player, there is no buzz at all. It's only there on the input which the phono is connected to.

I have used cheater plugs, cheap cables with the ground removed, I've connected the amp directly into the wall plug, I switched from unbalanced to balanced interconnects, and am currently out of ideas. The Pass worked perfectly with my previous solid state mcintosh gear.
ssayeed
jea48
4,425 posts
 
, if I do that, there is no sound.
No buzz you mean? Complete silence?

I tried an rca cable plugged into the input section of the phono stage though (Kent at Pass Labs asked me to this) and the buzz returned.
An open ended patch cord connected to the input of the phono preamp sure would cause a buzz...
I think you misunderstood what Kent at Pass Lab wanted you to do.
Or I am misunderstanding what you did...

Just for the heck of it did you try connecting the ground wire from the TT to the Ayon Triton integrated amp instead of the phono preamp?
jea48
4,425 posts
 
Ssayeed,

By chance did you try lifting the signal ground from the amp's chassis with the toggle ground lift switch on the back panel?

http://www.stereomojo.com/Ayon%20Triton%20Integarted%20Amp%20Review/AyonTritonIntegratedTubeAmpReview.htm
ssayeed OP
37 posts
 
Jea48, yeah I tried that. Depending on whether the ground is lifted, there is more or less sound but either way it's still pretty loud.

Atmasphere, I have used this phono and these arms with two other amps and have not had an issue. Dead silence. One was a McIntosh C2300 and MC501 combo and the other was a Cary Cad-300. Tomorrow, I am borrowing an Ear 834p from a friend and trying that. I'll let you guys know what happens.
ssayeed OP
37 posts
 
I ended up borrowing an Aesthetix Rhea and the problem persisted. Any ideas?
jea48
4,425 posts
 
I ended up borrowing an Aesthetix Rhea and the problem persisted. Any ideas?
02-16-11: Ssayeed

Try another set of line input jacks on the integrated amp.

Try another pair of ICs from the phono preamp to the integrated amp. Make sure the plugs are seated all the way in the jacks. Same process for the TT if plug and ICs connected.

Hook up another TT to the phono preamp. Maybe borrow one.... or go to Best buys or equivalent and buy a cheapo for a test.

If you have a B&M dealer in your area take your TT to them and have them connect it to a system of theirs...
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