2. misc-audio
  3. 157963-147773

Seeking power conditioner recommendations / hum elimination

So, my set-up:
DALI Grand Coupe bookshelf speakers on B&W stands
Proceed by Mark Levinson AMP2 (Gutwire cord)
Krell KSL Pre-Amp (Clarus cord)
Marantz SA8004 SACD Player
Jolida JD9 Tubed Phono Stage
Rega Planar 2 with Ortofon MC3 Turbo (I’m just getting into vinyl again)
Bluesound Node 2i
All Kimber Kable PBJ Interconnects
Dedicated 20 AMP line with a Pangea recepticle

(BTW, my whole system ran me less than $5K, bought most of it from a good friend who upgraded to McIntosh gear/Klipsch Heritage Speakers).

I have a mild hum originating from the AMP2 that I can’t seem to eliminate. I currently have that iFi white cylinder dealie plugged into the open socket on my outlet, which did improve overall sound a tad but did not kill the hum. I’m admittedly using a consumer grade Monster Power block-style strip that I really should have replaced a long time ago. I’m considering a PS Audio Dectet, Audioquest Niagara 1200, something Furman, or something pre-owned between $1 and 2K. Are the options I listed appropriate for my gear level or should I really be going with more high-end options? Do I stop-gap with something inexpensive until I’m ready to buy my "real" unit?
Appreciate the feedback!
atticus-xi
erik_squires
16,049 posts
 
I have a mild hum originating from the AMP2 that I can’t seem to eliminate.

Wait, you mean it's physically humming, or you have diagnosed it to be the amp by disconnecting everything else?
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
Start here.
https://www.psaudio.com/ps_how/how-to-find-and-fix-hum-extended/
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
The noise is coming from the speakers, not a piece of equipment?

60hz or 120hz, one is cable routing and so it the other, kinda.

For a test, remove the ground with a cheater plug.  If it goes away...

Hook ground between equipment.
    
60hz stuff usually YoYo's, moving the cables raises and lowers the noise floor.

Again usually routing, sometimes a voltage difference.. The ground wire will tell you that.. Couple of test leads, hook between equipment. 15 minutes, you aught to be able to fix it...

If wires aren't touching, they usually don't make noise. But terminal ends can get noisy too, plug and unplug, to clean.. Normally though it's intermittent. 

You'll get it..

Regards
atticus-xi OP
2 posts
 
Thanks all, some responses from me...
My father-in-law calls it a "60 cycle hum", so I’ll go with 60 hz. If I power up all gear except for the amp I don’t get a hum. Powering on the amp triggers the hum (heard through the speakers, yes). I have noticed that I can increase/decrease the hum by moving cables around, but it never quite disappears. I tried a cheater and the hum remained.

Another tidbit I should share, LED lighting in this room flickers a tad bit and also has a buzz/hum, as does the lighting in the room on the floor just above it. Even though I have a dedicated line, I'm assuming it's sharing the same source/electrical box as our problem area, i.e. the same zone.  We’ve been meaning to have an electrician take a look at that side of the house for issues when we have time.  I don't know if that sheds more light on the situation.

In the meantime I’ll try those suggestions. Thanks much!
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
 I have noticed that I can increase/decrease the hum by moving cables around, but it never quite disappears. I tried a cheater and the hum remained.

Now zero in where that happens. Spread the wires apart in that area.

Cross at a 90 if you have to cross, and keep distance between all cables shielded or not.  

It sure sounds like classic routing issue to me...Easy peasy...

Regards
More to discover