Power supply hum transmitted to loudspeakers


I know the issue of hum and buzz has been discussed endlessly. Is it not almost universal that all amplifiers with power transformers have some low level power supply noise that will cause minimal leakage hum, buzz, or hiss through the loudspeaker with your ear close enough and no inputs to the amp connected?
Is this considered the noise floor of the amplifier? According to Galen Carol's website, if you can't hear it through the music and your system sounds the way you want it to, this idle noise should be ignored. Any thoughts?


normie57
If you can hear it and its disturbing, it can't be ignored.  I had to shut up a whispering attendee at a concert the other night.  My amp is DEAD quiet.
normie57
... Is it not almost universal that all amplifiers with power transformers have some low level power supply noise that will cause minimal leakage hum, buzz, or hiss through the loudspeaker with your ear close enough and no inputs to the amp connected?
If you want to test an amplifier, doing so with no inputs connected really doesn't tell you anything. That's not how the amplifier was designed to be used.
Hi Normie,

Noise is a problem with all active devices. It's caused by several things, but what can make it audible is high gain in the system, along with high efficiency speakers.

For some reason traditionally preamps are made with WAY too much gain. PrimaLuna is one of the few makers who make preamps with more reasonable gain amounts, therefore lowering the total noise.

As others have pointed out, what's really important is your peception of it. My system is reasonably quiet, but in the middle of a wind storm or with the heater blowing, it's the least of my problems. :)

E