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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
keoliphant
keoliphant OP
86 posts
 
Yes, amazingly good now. I brought old line conditioner from my currently dismantled home theater setup and it wired like a charm. It's an old Monster Power rack style product from about 15 years ago.

I really like this new Hegel H590. Great 1 box solution.
keoliphant OP
86 posts
 
Darn autocorrect.....Worked like a charm. 
vgupta74
2 posts
 
Thank you!
keoliphant OP
86 posts
 
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
1 posts
 

Hi!

I have bought the IsoTek Titan One power conditioner for my H590. The humming is unfortunately only a little quieter than before. I'm already beginning to doubt whether the expensive Titan One will even have the effect in DC blocking it promises.

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