Classic Over-reaction!


So today I was listening to a new vintage LP that had just arrived. And when I switched cables from my phono stage to my Hegel 160 integrated - just to note sonic differences between cables -- I noticed that all of a sudden - for the first time - a noticeable hum was emanating from the Hegel’s transformer.

Crap. What now?

I switched back to the original cables. Nothing. The hum was still there.

I tried different tubes in the phono stage. Nothing. The hum was still there.

I unplugged the Hegel from the wall outlet and plugged it into the power strip. Nothing. The hum was still there. I switched everything off in despair and moped upstairs for dinner.

Where I noticed the toaster oven was on. Hmmm. A few minutes later the toaster oven dinged and turned off and I went downstairs, turned the Hegel on, and the hum was gone.

Sigh....

128x128simao
The moral of this story is that the audio/video electronics need to be on a dedicated electrical circuit. The dimmers in particular are noise monsters. In most homes, its a lot cheaper to run a dedicated 20amp circuit than buying even a mid-priced AC conditioner.   
Good points all. I have a dedicated "home-run" line from the breaker box to my dedicated listening room. I still have some issues with hum depending on which culprit (dishwasher, timer, washing machine, dryer, hair-dryer, toaster, microwave oven, fluorescent lights) are being used by the normal members of my household. Sigh...

Tom
My Smart Theatre Systems TA 242 amp develops a transformer buzz, chassis only ( not through the speakers ), when it is on and I am using my otr microwave. Of my many amps, it happens only to this one ( I haven't tried a cheater plug ).
tomcarr
see if you can get the dedicated line on a different phase leg at your breaker box....