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Static electricity and my Denafrips do not get along

I’ve never had this problem before on other gear but my Pontus 2 freaked out when I touched it last 2 nights. When I touch it lights fade and music fades out. Take my hand off and all goes back to normal. It has gone into stand by mode by its self. It has not done any damage it sounds fine and plays well. 
 

It has been cold and using fireplace both times it happened. After looking back I had shoes on both time if that matters. I’m going barefoot now. I did pull out my static wrist tether haven’t used it yet but I am a little paranoid don’t want to fry it. Do  I really need to resort to a tether in the winter a little extreme! 
 

I did remember the ddc going into Pontus had its  ground plug removed in its power cord to solve a turntable ground loop problem from a while back. I forgot that cord was in there. I removed that cord and put in better power cord. Not sure is that could cause a problem. 
 

Anyone experience what I have with static and how do you address this issue. I did contact Denafrips and was told to touch unit before pushing buttons. I was told this long ago and always touch chassis before pushing buttons. That’s what caused the problem touching the chassis.

paulcreed
soix
9,737 posts
 

I’d get a room humidifier and leave it on set it to 55% humidity, and when you’re ready to listen just turn it off.  I use this one that works well and is cool air so very energy efficient…

https://www.amazon.com/AIRCARE-5D6-700-4-Speed-Humidifier/dp/B000N87YO4/ref=sr_1_7?crid=8XZZ3NYRJASB&keywords=aircare+humidifier&qid=1705971938&sprefix=aircare+humidifier%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-7&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc

Get these filters — getting two sets of two filters is cheaper (the unit uses two filters), and you have another pair on hand when needed. 

https://www.amazon.com/2-Pack-AIRCARE-1040-Replacement-Wick/dp/B01NAWYQ06/ref=pd_bxgy_d_sccl_1/143-9965671-0420263?pd_rd_w=pAUAh&content-id=amzn1.sym.839d7715-b862-4989-8f65-c6f9502d15f9&pf_rd_p=839d7715-b862-4989-8f65-c6f9502d15f9&pf_rd_r=906G7ZKJJ2BTP4692XDR&pd_rd_wg=axo1o&pd_rd_r=8ee853c1-ff53-4652-b62f-592aef749c1a&pd_rd_i=B01NAWYQ06&th=1

I’ve been using this for over 10 years and still works great.  Hope this helps, and best of luck. 

milpai's avatar
milpai
2,420 posts
 

Touch a wall before touching ANY metal and you should be fine.

paulcreed OP
565 posts
 

oddioftl, I like that were did you find earth ground? I saw a guy on you tube use a computer power cord and used the barrel plug that goes in the computer as a ground to hold onto, not sure if that would work. 
 

Thanks milpai, I tried touching wall last night and it shorted out dac

 

soix, stereo5, not sure if I want to deal with a humidifier but if all else fails I will do it.

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,977 posts
 

I ran a bare copper ground below to my basement and just clamped it to the incoming water pipe. 

dinosore
108 posts
 

I used to own a Classe amp and preamp where I would get a pretty good static shock when I touched them in the winter time.  The preamp would go into protection mode and shut down.  My solution was to touch the nearby fireplace tools first, and get my "shock" there. I also tried zapping the preamp with an old Zerostat gun and that seemed to help.

I replaced the Classe separates with a Musical Fidelity integrated amp and I don't seem to have the problem anymore.

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