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Help - I've Got the Dreaded Transformer Growl....

I'm on week 3 with my new office amplifier - Hegel H590 integrated amplifier driving KEF Reference 1's. Absolutely killer thus far. Dynamic, powerful, detailed, smooth and dead quiet at the speaker. One problem - the amp sometimes produces a buzz/hum at the amplifier. It's typically dead quiet during the evening/weekends but buzzes during the day. The Hegel is dead silent at the dealer so he’s telling me that I either have DC on the line or excessive harmonic distortion on the power line. The dealer says that it’s time to go for a power conditioner.

I’m considering the following power conditioners:

1. Audioquest Niagra
2. Shunyata Hydra or Denali
3. Torus RM 20
4. PS Audio P15 or P20

Does anyone have experience with transformer buzzing caused by DC on the line and did the power conditioner properly address the issue? Also wondering if I should first try the Emotiva CMX-2 AC line filter with DC offset eliminator. A very cheap option at $129. Anyone tried one and did it work and/or degrade your system sound?

Thanks for your help!Ken
keoliphant
keoliphant OP
86 posts
 
Well, the cooler temperatures of October /  November brought back the curse of the transformer growl!!!

I picked up the Humdinger DC Line Blocker (https://avahifi.com/products/humdinger-dc-line-blocker)
Buzzing diminished by a significant margin. I used to easily hear the buzzing from my desk (approximately 48" away from the amp) and now can only detect the sound when my ear is next to the amp (within inches). Pretty amazing solution for $140. (I am not affiliated with this product).

All that said, I've been saving for a power conditioner that specifically blocks DC. Here's what I'm thinking - IsoTek Evo 3 Nova.
(https://www.isoteksystems.com/product/select/evo3-nova/)
Anyone have experience with this product? I'd love to hear your thoughts..

Thanks!Ken
peter78
1 posts
 

Hi!

I have bought the IsoTek Titan One power conditioner for my H590. The humming is unfortunately only a little quieter than before. I'm already beginning to doubt whether the expensive Titan One will even have the effect in DC blocking it promises.

jea48
4,425 posts
 
peter781 posts

01-22-2020
8:51am


Hi!

I have bought the IsoTek Titan One power conditioner for my H590. The humming is unfortunately only a little quieter than before. I’m already beginning to doubt whether the expensive Titan One will even have the effect in DC blocking it promises.


I’m already beginning to doubt whether the expensive Titan One will even have the effect in DC blocking it promises.
@ peter78
Where does it say the unit has a built in DC blocker circuit?


Overview

The Titan One re-engineers IsoTek’s unique multi-award winning Direct-Coupled© technology into a discrete single cell version, offering the ultimate high current, low impedance power conditioner in the smallest form factor possible.

  • Removes both Common Mode and Differential Mode mains noise.
  • Dedicated single outlet delivers a clean high current, low impedence, low distortion mains supply.
  • Unique single cell mains cleaning system that reduces RFI by 82dB (50 ohms standard) down to 5Hz frequency range.
  • Internal wiring; solid core silver plated PCOCC with FEP virtually an air dielectric.
  • 3680W of high current clean power for power amplifiers sub woofers etc.
  • Available with UK, EU, US, Australian, Swiss and South African outlets.
https://www.isoteksystems.com/product/mosaic/evo3-titan-one/

Jim


wolf_garcia
6,695 posts
 
I've used a PS Audio "Humbuster III" for my power amps for years, and it works swimmingly. Why they discontinued that thing seems weird but they're still out there, or at least maybe a similar item as discussed above...I've got other DC blocking power supplies here and there and they all help keep the noise down.
keoliphant OP
86 posts
 
@peter78, pick up the Humdinger DC line blocker. It will solve your problem. The only Isotek product that I saw that included DC blocking capabilities was the Evo3 Nova.

I picked one up for Christmas and it works as advertised, cutting dc hum considerably and yielding a dramatically more quiet listening background. I wasnt a believer of power conditioning until actually trying it.
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