Thanks atmasphere - any recommendations for a quality DC blocker / line conditioner?
Help - I've Got the Dreaded Transformer Growl....
I'm on week 3 with my new office amplifier - Hegel H590 integrated amplifier driving KEF Reference 1's. Absolutely killer thus far. Dynamic, powerful, detailed, smooth and dead quiet at the speaker. One problem - the amp sometimes produces a buzz/hum at the amplifier. It's typically dead quiet during the evening/weekends but buzzes during the day. The Hegel is dead silent at the dealer so he’s telling me that I either have DC on the line or excessive harmonic distortion on the power line. The dealer says that it’s time to go for a power conditioner.
I’m considering the following power conditioners:
1. Audioquest Niagra
2. Shunyata Hydra or Denali
3. Torus RM 20
4. PS Audio P15 or P20
Does anyone have experience with transformer buzzing caused by DC on the line and did the power conditioner properly address the issue? Also wondering if I should first try the Emotiva CMX-2 AC line filter with DC offset eliminator. A very cheap option at $129. Anyone tried one and did it work and/or degrade your system sound?
Thanks for your help!Ken
I’m considering the following power conditioners:
1. Audioquest Niagra
2. Shunyata Hydra or Denali
3. Torus RM 20
4. PS Audio P15 or P20
Does anyone have experience with transformer buzzing caused by DC on the line and did the power conditioner properly address the issue? Also wondering if I should first try the Emotiva CMX-2 AC line filter with DC offset eliminator. A very cheap option at $129. Anyone tried one and did it work and/or degrade your system sound?
Thanks for your help!Ken
Showing 7 responses by keoliphant
Thanks for the responses. I went ahead with the cheap option first - purchased the Emotiva CMX-2 AC line filter with DC offset eliminator ($129). Fingers crossed it does the trick. If that doesn't work, I'll either (1) look at the Furman power conditioners or (2) become a vampire and only work in the evenings and wee hours of the night when no amplifier buzz is occurring! I'll let you know. |
Back to the drawing board. The Emotiva CMX-2 didn't help at all so it's being returned tomorrow. @cytocycle - can you send a link for the Transparent Reference PIMM 2? I'm not seeing anything by that name when I do a web search. @erik_squires - since the DC blocker was a no go, think i simply have dirty power? Do you have a preferred Furman model for power conditioning? My system's at the office. Early morning & late night equals dead quiet. People start showing up, the transformer starts to buzz. @oldears - Interesting suggestion. I don't want to modify the amp as it's brand new plus I don't want to void the warranty. |
Well, the cooler temperatures of October / November brought back the curse of the transformer growl!!! I picked up the Humdinger DC Line Blocker (https://avahifi.com/products/humdinger-dc-line-blocker) Buzzing diminished by a significant margin. I used to easily hear the buzzing from my desk (approximately 48" away from the amp) and now can only detect the sound when my ear is next to the amp (within inches). Pretty amazing solution for $140. (I am not affiliated with this product). All that said, I've been saving for a power conditioner that specifically blocks DC. Here's what I'm thinking - IsoTek Evo 3 Nova. (https://www.isoteksystems.com/product/select/evo3-nova/) Anyone have experience with this product? I'd love to hear your thoughts.. Thanks!Ken |
@peter78, pick up the Humdinger DC line blocker. It will solve your problem. The only Isotek product that I saw that included DC blocking capabilities was the Evo3 Nova. I picked one up for Christmas and it works as advertised, cutting dc hum considerably and yielding a dramatically more quiet listening background. I wasnt a believer of power conditioning until actually trying it. |