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
+1 for Bill Peloquin. I have 4 dedicated circuits and had a constant hum. I tried the switching of cables, turning everything in the house off, one switch at a time...I finally started looking into power re generators and conditioners. I bought a PS Audio Dectect and the problem is solved. No toasters were involved.
I would add a power condition for your toaster. The hum should get a lot more musical.
KellyAnn Conway knows what she's talking about.  Unplug the toaster permanently.  But be careful to approach it from its blind side, so it can't see you going for the wall socket.