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I have only come here seeking knowledge...

Hi. Just joined Audiogon. In my first search here I didn’t find anything close to what I was looking for.

Background:

I gave up on vinyl when I bought my first CD player back in 1985. In early 2017, I got the vinyl bug again and bought an Audio Technica AT-LP5 based on my research, (the price didn’t hurt either). Overall, I’ve been satisfied with it, however, in the last 7-10 days, I’m hearing a pretty loud hum between tracks. When the new track starts, It either disappears or is masked by the music. Sound is as good as before this hum started.

My Rig:

Tuner- NAD C 427 (2016)

CD Player- Denon DCD-600NE (2019)

Turntable- Audio Technica AT-LP5 with VM520EB/H cartridge (2017)

Phono Stage- Alpha Design Labs GT40a (2017)

Homebuilt Windows PC with Creative Labs Sound Card, and  Exact Audio Copy,

Audacity software. (2014)

Integrated amp- Cambridge Audio CXA60 (2016?)

Speakers- Wharfedale Diamond 240 (2016?) and Wharfedale Diamond 225 on the way for Winter in South Texas. Tried Monitor Audio Bronze 2s (arrived damaged,) and Q Acoustics Concept 20s (one speaker was defective.)

Insight Quest:

Being both retied, the wife raises her eyebrows whenever I bring up the subject of electronics. The newest piece I have is the CD player.

I’m putting money away for a new turntable. Based on what I’ve seen so far, I got it down to two. I’m thinking of either the Pro-Ject X1, or the Audio Technica AT-lp7. I’d really appreciate any help and/or ideas. Thanks!


badapple
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Ok OP MC asked if everything was plugged into one outlet? Is it?
I see the TV and a few other things are on the same circuit.

Plug nothing into the stereo outlet being used BUT the stereo. No TV, no cable box, nothing.  Plug in the source (TT ?) via IC to the integrated, and only the two PC to a single outlet, leave out the powerstrip.  NOTHING else. Turn on the overhead light, do your work for the test, if it's still there turn off the overhead light too...

After that, a new ground wire (added between amp and TT) a test lead with clips will work great.  If you get rid of the noise, but add it by adding say a CD player, hook the ground clip to the new component, or add a cheater to remove it.. Keep adding until your done with ALL the hums and  Buzzes. It may take more than one external ground, check them all, one at a time is best. Add one at a time, is quick..and just need to make up a perm, ground between pieces, if there is an issue.

Happy hunting.

As for the eyebrow raising, I got nothing.  :-)

Regards
gdnrbob
4,441 posts
 
Dimmers are also notorious for introducing hum.
Are you near any stores with lighting, like neon?
Bob
badapple OP
20 posts
 
1 Stereo int. Amp on one double outlet by itself (breaker 1 original build)
2 TTL & phono stage on double outlet (breaker 2 when basement finished). One led light for recess where eqp’t is), no dimmer)
3 CD player & tuner (now) on double outlet (breaker 1)
4 PC, TV & BP ON power strip connected to outlet on breaker 3. Shared with irrigation system which runs at 5 am M,W & Th. I will try amp, phono stage & ttl only with a different ground wire, and if successful, add things at a time. Will report when done. Thanks!
badapple OP
20 posts
 
I feel foolish and embarrassed to say the least, rather than publish a string of expletives on this site. I removed the OEM ground wire from the ttl to the phono stage and replaced it with a single strand of 14 gauge speaker wire. Since I had not disconnected anything yet, I put an LP (Gaby Moreno’s Ilución) on the table and tried it. Magic!!!  No foreign noise!  Upon eyeballing the wire, I couldn’t see anything wrong. I’ll inspect it later under a magnifying glass lamp. I’d like to thank each anybody else that took time out of what your, what are very busy schedules to help me. Again, thanks. 
itsjustme
681 posts
 
The big question is "what changed?". You mentioned that you moved things a couple of months ago, but you also say this hum began 7 days ago. So I surmise it was all quiet after the move to the basement.
There is the possibility that the hear wave means dirty (AC/mains) power.
There is a bigger possibility that something changed in the grounding: a loose wire, something you moved its AC to a different plug, etc.  MC already asked - but be aware that you ought to have everything plugged into (logically) one outlet.  Since you need many physical receptacles use a large, high quality outlet strip to break it down (or, as I do, make your own...)
But the bottom line is SOMETHING is not the same....
G
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