Low buzzing through speaks
Hello All,
Need some serious help here. So I just (upgraded?) from a Marantz AV8802A to a McIntosh MX122 preamp. I also just got brand new Revel Performa3 speaks all around (5 channel setup). I disconnect everything from the Marantz and then into the McIntosh, connect the speaks and I have a faint buzzing through all 5 speakers (that was not there previously). I have everything plugged into a Furman Elite 20pfi power conditioner which is plugged into a dedicated 20 amp circuit. My power amp is a Simaudio Titan HT200 5 channel. This is not going through the Furman but directly into the other outlet on the same 20 amp line. I even tried plugging the Sim amp into the Furman to see if that helped-no change faint buzz is still there. I have unplugged just about everything, and the buzz is still there. It is very faint and does not get louder when I turn up the volume. Again it is faint and you have to put your ear up to the speaks to hear but it is definitely there. I have tried so many things and nothing gets rid of it. It is not my cable box (I did have that issue previously with the Marantz but as soon as I unplugged the coax from the box it went away so I just bought a coax loop eliminator connected the cable to that and noise was all gone) as I unplugged that and started there.
Any help would be so sincerely appreciated????
Not a problem. We’ll take it from there. One other thing, I think you mentioned that your XLR cables were intertwined with other cables? Was that correct? Were any of those ethernet cables? Also, if they’re still intertwined, would it be possible to physically separate at least one of the XLR cables from all other cables, and connect it (all by itself), and see if any buzzing exists? |
I did separate the XLR cables from any power cables and used a zip tie to keep them from separating and touching any power cables…I checked out that XLR ground lift cable via the link you sent. How does that work do you just plug the XLR cable into that and then plug the whole thing into the Mac? Like if it worked would I need 5 of those on each XLR cable I have? |
Do you remember if that made any difference at all in the buzzing (even the slightest amount)?
Correct, but of course I just recommend purchasing qty. 1 first. If you purchase from Amazon, you should be able to return it if it doesn’t eliminate the buzz (if you feel like going through the hassle). If it doesn’t work, it’s still a nice tool to have around in the future.
Yes, if you still want to use the Transparent’s. Just out of curiosity, roughly how long are the Transparent XLR cables? If you decide to purchase one of the ground lifter devices, I also wonder, just for comparison sake, if you should also purchase a cheap single XLR cable the same length as one of the Transparent Plus’, to see if just by chance a different cable design has an influence here (if by chance a friend doesn’t have a spare they could borrow you).
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I’m rapt in attention to this. I have had this same situation for now two years. I am music only, no theater. So, generally speaking I can hear the low buzz only from a foot away from my Revel speakers. I have tried everything you have tried. Finally, after every iteration of plug in check, plug out check, new xlr, new rca, rinse and repeat I came to the following. If I take either one of my XLRs connecting between amp and preamp off at the back of the preamp or amp, the buzz goes away. I keep my Kismet amp on 24-7, my Hegel preamp as well. When I’m not going to be listening to music during most of the week. (I mostly listen Thursday through Sunday) I detach one of the XLRs. no buzz. So, my solution this far is to…live with it. I’m watching this thread for any thing I’m missing….. |
No separating the cables made no audible difference whatsoever. This buzz has been steady and has not wavered from the first second it reared it’s evil presence😂!
I actually contacted Hosa the company and spoke with a gentleman in their tech support and ran this by him. He didn’t think their ground lift XLR would help as they are designed for microphones, but he admitted he did not know very much about home audio/HT. But I went and ordered one anyway☺️, cuz like you said it’s easy enough to return (like I just did with the Hum-X), and why not at this point?!
The Transparent cables are all 1.5m each…Guess I could also order an el cheapo XLR too, because again why not?!
@dpop what if I tried disconnecting the XLR’s and try RCA (I do have some of those Transparent as well actually though lower end of their line). Why not right? |
