2. amps-preamps
  3. 162688-4635

Need suggestions for balanced equipment to Combat noise/hum

Issue: Hum and Noise from long 20 ft RCA cables between preamp and amp. Current equipment is single ended preventing me from using balanced connections

Current system> Modwright LS100, Wells Audio Innamorata, Auralic Vega, etc

Temp solution is to relocate equipment rack and amp to a new (unpreferred) location in the room enabling me to use “short” 1.5m RCA between preamp and amp.

Long Term Solution: Move to a fully balanced system to lower hum/noise floor and allowing me to move equipment back to preferred location in the room.

Ask: Suggestions for truly balanced amp and preamp. Budget is 8K for both (preowned), split anyway you like 4/4 5/3 etc. I seem to lean towards a tube preamp and solid-state power amp and am wondering if I would be happy with a tube pre with class D mono blocks (think Bel Canto, Merrill, Benchmark). The tube pre should have low output impedance (transformer coupled?) able to drive 20 ft XLR cables. If there is a solid-state preamp that fits the bill, I am open to it. I did demo the JC2 in my system and although it sounded very good it was a bit thin sounding. (Note my tubes are NOS RCA’s).

The other loaded question is will I be happy with a Class D amp after living with the Wells.

Thanks for reading and any suggestions
jimbones
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,773 posts
 
Have you tried more heavily shielded interconnect cables?
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,791 posts
 
You have a ground loop no need to change cables or gear yiu need a 30 cent cheater plug

We have a lot of experience here this occurs when you bridge two differebt ac locations by connecting gear plugged into two different electical sources

To  test get a long extention cord and plug it in ar the first location and run  to the second if the noise goes away u have verified a ground loop

Dave and troy
Audio intellect Nj




jimbones OP
256 posts
 
@Audiotroy, cheater plug did not work. I ended up putting all the equipment in the rack and using shorter RCA, Apparently there were 3 issues occurring simultaneously. 60 hz hum, micro-phonic tube and hiss. I fixed 2 of the 3. I will use headphones today to troubleshoot some more.
Post removed 
jimbones OP
256 posts
 
@Tvad, this is very interesting, however, the output of my Modwright is not truly balanced. They provide XLR connectors for convenience only. They jumper 2 wires internal to the preamp. Will this still work?

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