2. amps-preamps
  3. 1036073540

Floating the Ground

My B&K Ref 30 is sick and not working quite right. I am awaiting the arrival of a new Ref 50 but they keep delaying the shipment.

One of the problems is a terrible hum in my speakers coming from the preamp. It doesn't matter if the ref 30 is on or off, if it is plugged into the power source (wall or conditioner) the hum immediately starts.

I think floating the ground on the Ref 30 would eliminate the noise but I don't know for sure if there is a downside to doing this until the new Ref 50 comes in.

Any power experts out there?
bundy
ssstang
1 posts
 
I had a wicked ground loop hum with my current BK ref 30, my previous gtp 830 and ACT3. All were corrected using a cheater plug at first and now my Monster hts5100. My culprit was the DSS cable. This was a nightmare to find as I spent hundreds on cables etc and then tamed the problem with a cheater plug (groundless adapter) on my Parasound amp. Then I corrected it by recrimping the dss coax cable without the outer ground sheathing and then fixed it properly with the Monster. Good luck. Definately check the coax cables as they are the most likely the problem.
aball
2,016 posts
 
Floating grounds are a bad idea. Don't do it (assuming you mean disconnecting the chassis ground) since it could potentially be hazardous. Always keep chassis to earth ground (via power cord). Good advice above. Good luck!
bob_bundus
1,834 posts
 
floating grounds is a great diagnostic tool even if not done permanently it can help to point you toward the problem or is useful in the process of elimination
hifijunky
126 posts
 
If your stereo is hooked to your cable TV I had the same problem. Here is a cheap fix. Go to Radio Shack get 15-1140 and 15-1253 300 ohm to 75 ohm matching transformers. Connect the 300 ohm sides together. Install the transformers at the TV cable line. This should solve your hum problem and cost you $7.00.
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