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Buzzing just won't quit: Can someone please help?

Hello,
First let me thank you for taking the time to read my post. I’ve been trying to get this buzz out of my system that I just can’t lick. It’s really starting to drive me nuts. Here is a spectragraphic image of the sound https://imgur.com/a/xREqG. Here’s a WAV of the sound: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_YygM_VDhV9RWlPMEVudjBnb28 

My system:
Bryston BP17 preamp
2x Schiit Vidar poweramps, running in monoblock
Sonus Faber Venere 3.0 speakers.
Velodyne DPS10 sub
Schiit Gungnir MB DAC
Music Hall MMF 2.3 TT
Marantz NR-1604 AVR, w/ Roku, CC, and Blu-ray
Samsung Plasma TV
No cable

Facts:
- All devices are on the same circuit.
- The buzzing comes through on LR channels (powered by Vidars) and powered subwoofer, BUT NOT through the surround sound speakers, which are powered by the AVR.
- Poweramps, preamp, AVR, and TV are all on the same plug (via ATC power conditioning strip)

What I’ve tried:
-I have physically disconnected EVERYTHING except the poweramps and the speakers. Everything was unplugged and disconnected EXCEPT the poweramps to the speakers (Wall > Vidar amp (no input) > Venere speaker). Subwoofer unplugged/disconnected. This made no difference.
- I’ve tried an Ebtech HumX hum eliminators on the amps. Did nothing (though it did wonders for my plasma TV).
- I’ve tried switching around to different wall outlets (though all are on the same circuit).

What I’ve determined so far:
- The problem ISN’T the Schiit poweramps. I know this because I hear the buzz coming through the sub, which has its own power.
- The problem isn’t due to the 10000 devices I have because it occurs even when the entire system is disconnected except amps and speakers (with no input in the amp).

So what can I do? Is there some kind of fancy "power conditioner" thing I can buy? One of those Blue Circle Thingees? If I buy a power conditioner, does it have to have regeneration? Would something like a Panamax M5300-PM or something like that be adequate?

Please help me!
naseltzer
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

Uhm, unplug everything, then connect your speakers to the AVR to see if the AVR has the same problem. 

I'm wondering if it could be a switching power supply somewhere on this same circuit (or something like florescent/led lighting on the same circuit).  It is possible that it could be house wiring.  You could switch off the master circuit breaker on the panel and go from outlet to outlet to make sure there is a good tight clamp-down on the bare wires.

toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone
840 posts
 
Can you try using RCAs from pre to amps? Or are they balanced only? Though that shouldn't matter, since you said it happens with the amps having no cables going into them.. 


elevick
2,636 posts
 
Since you hear this through your sub too, I would try this:  Take either the sub or your power amps and speakers to the other end of the house.  Or, you can run a really long extension cord.
This will tell you if it's the whole house or just that breaker.  If it's your house you would take a different route than if it's just one circuit.
The Nordost is way better than the thingee (way more expensive too) but neither can clean up a totally bad electrical feed.
No more advice from me until I know more about the rest of the home.

naseltzer OP
7 posts
 
Okay, I took the sub to the other end of the house. I still heard a buzz, but I *think* it may have sounded a bit more faint. I've also tried connecting only one amp to one speaker, directly to the wall with everything else unplugged. No change. I also tried a cheater plug on an amp. Didn't help!
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,205 posts
 
To diagnose the problem, unplug and disconnect everything and re-connect one thing at a time.
1. connect only one Schiit Vidar to a speaker, and plug in the power cord and turn it on, if no noise then go to the next step.
2. connect the other Schiit Vidar to a speaker, plug in the power cord and turn on both Vidar, if no noise then go to the next step.
3. Power off both Vidar, connect the Bryston BP17 preamp to one of the Schiit Vidar via XLR cable, power up the preamp and both Vidar, if no noise then go to the next step.
4. connect the other Schiit Vidar to the preamp and power up the preamp and both Vidar again, if no noise then go to the next step.
5. plug in the subwoofer, power up the subwoofer, preamp and both Vidar, if no noise then go to the next step.
6. connect the left channel line in of the subwoofer to the preamp line out, power up the subwoofer, preamp and both Vidar again, if no noise then go to the next step.
7. connect the right channel line in of the subwoofer to the preamp line out, power up the subwoofer, preamp and both Vidar again, if no noise then go to the next step.
8. plug in the DAC, power up the system, if no noise then go to the next step.
9. connect the DAC to the preamp line in, power up the system, if no noise then go to the next step.
10. play some music if no buzzing noise then you can connect the AVR, TV....
Hope you can find the culprit, good luck!  
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