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I have a weird buzz issue; can you help me solve the problem?

Hi - my integrated amp has a 25db persistent buzzing noise; I need help figuring out how to solve this problem.

Here’s my system:
CODA CSiB integrated amp - custom tuned to produce 25w Class A power before switching to Class B
Lumin T2 streamer/DAC
Dynaudio Focus 380 speakers
Audience AR2-T2 power conditioner w/Audience power cable
Audience AU24 speaker cable
Cardas Clear M power cable
Purist Venustas Luminist Revision RCA interconnect
Synergistic Research TeslaPlex SE outlet
Shunyata Venom Defender

Some background:
I’ve had the CODA integrated for about 5 years. The remainder of my system has come on-line subsequently (I had different speakers initially). Within a few months of purchase, I noticed a buzzing noise coming from the speakers whenever the amp was powered on (bias “on”), but no noise in standby mode (bias off). I took it back to the manufacturer, who plugged the amp into their dedicated circuit and it was dead quiet. I had the same experience taking it to a local audio shop. Thinking that it might be a noisy circuit, the local shop loaned me a lesser priced solid-state amp (I forget which brand) to bring home. I hooked up the shop’s integrated to my system and.....it was dead quiet. Now I was confused. 

A dealer loaned me a completely different system with a tubed integrated, different speakers and cables. There was even a worse buzz coming from this system than from mine. I went back to living with my system and forgetting about the buzz.

Fast forward 4+ years. I have moved to a new house in a new state. Unfortunately, the buzz remains :-( I even tried plugging the system into what the electrician was sure was one dedicated line in the house (it was in the kitchen, so I had to run an extension cord to where my audio system lived). Still, the buzz remains.

I really love the sound of my system, but this persistent buzz is a (ahem) buzz kill (sorry for the predictable and bad pun). 

I would love to get some thoughts on what I can do to get rid of this damn noise. Please help!



mwsl
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Another quick one turn off all the breakers but the one you're using...
If it's still there.

Fix the ground loop, or routing issue, it can be a component to close to another.  Have you tried moving cables to see if the noise yo yo s. UP and down, up and down, while you move cables?

But you do have to try it.. They never heal on their own, unless you have a fiendish house guest. LOL

It did work right somewhere else. right? Another system with speakers, was NOISER... It's you... not the equipment... Route the cables and check for ground loops, listen to the OLD wore out mechanic.... get rid of the noise, once and for all...

Happy hunting....

Ok off to feed the chickens...

Regards...
Post removed 
mwsl OP
64 posts
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I was busy today walking the dog then doing some interior painting. I will dig into this tomorrow and give you some feedback. 

I agree, given that I have the same problem in a second house, it seems unlikely to be the electrical system at my new home. OK, all for now.

Thanks again.
mwsl OP
64 posts
 
Did want to share some additional info:

I originally started with balanced interconnects (had a Sony HAPZ-1ES at the time), and the buzz was present. As far as I can determine, the buzz has been with me since I got the integrated. I switched to single ended cables as they sounded better with my Sony. Before I try to find the “right” cables for the Lumin T2 (which I just purchased) I thought I would try again to solve the buzz problem.

Someone a long time ago recommended shorting plugs in the empty inputs. Can anyone point me to some shorting plugs I can try?
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,879 posts
 
@mwsl , @imhififan  made a good suggestion above! Before you do anything else, simply run the amp with nothing other than the speakers connected. Does it buzz? No => ground loop issue is likely; yes => defect in the equipment or a noisy AC line is the issue.

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