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????

kingbr

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.

IMO, if you’re spending thousands of dollars on components and interconnects, you shouldn’t have to tolerate any type of noise or buzz. Isn’t that why you’re spending those big bucks in the first place? I’m sure kingbr could do the same (as what you’re doing), but I support his not wanting to, and I’m doing my best to try and help him out.

For over 3 decades I was a Chief Engineer for numerous radio stations. I learned the hard way how to eliminate hums and buzzes, of all kinds. Try connecting hundreds of pieces of broadcast equipment together (both balanced and unbalanced analog) in 14 studios (in one building), and see how many buzzes and hums you encounter (spoiler alert; there will be a lot). And if I do say so myself, there was rarely ever a buzz or hum I couldn't get rid of. 

If it were me, there’s no way I would tolerate a buzz, when spending thousands on home audio equipment. From looking at the manuals on line for the Sim and Mac that are involved here, the XLR outputs are of low impedance, and the balanced XLR inputs are of high impedance - exactly the way it should be, but that’s a very simple way of looking at this, as there’s so much more that goes into a decently designed piece of audio equipment. I’m having a hard time understanding why these two pieces of equipment can’t be happy (with no buzzing) playing nicely together (such technical talk).

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?

GREAT idea!

Guess I could also order an el cheapo XLR too, because again why not?!

I would recommend it if you don’t mind.

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.

It really depends on who you talk to. Some guys know where I'm going with this, and some don't.

I think the common denominator here is Revel speakers.

That may be, but kingbr already stated that there’s no buzz when disconnecting the XLR cables, with the amp on. I’m assuming the amp is not being trigger ON by audio. I hope that’s not the case. That would be absurd (and thankfully I don’t see that mode of operation option mentioned in the Sim manual).

Welcome @illaheman ! @dpop you're developing a following😂! But it’s a true reflection on your character that you have taken all of your valuable time to help. Cannot convey enough how much it is truly appreciated (though I’ll keep trying to convey😌).

Love what you said and that’s my thought and why I’m struggling to just accept because I have spent so much and dammit I think I (we all) deserve crisp clean sound!

As the great Jimmy V used to say “Don’t ever give up”! And like I mentioned earlier in this thread, the last resort is to call the church and have them send in a priest to get rid of this evil presence😂! 

I’m still in the fight man-thanks to you @dpop 👍🏻👊🏻