Short?


I have a McIntosh integrated hybrid tube amp / VPI table / Revel speakers.  When the AC comes on or off in the room i hear a loud pop.  I used to think it was a scratch on the album but now I realize its some sort of elelctrical issue.  I thought it might be a table grounding ussue but now it also happens occaisionally now when I'm not playing an album.  So does the amp need to be grounded?  And to what?  Thanks.

mojo771

found these, didn’t read them, hope it helps.

https://carvinaudio.com/blogs/audio-education/proper-power-up-sequence-explained#:~:text=So%2C%20proper%20power%20up%20sequence,power%20amps%20to%20the%20speakers.

https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/power-power-off-sequence/

https://www.sinbosenaudio.com/info/the-correct-sequence-of-turning-on-and-off-audio-equipment-i00156i1.html

 

 

In a long ago setup I had the same issue. Some equipment can and other equipment does not send a signal to the speakers. Went on for years, didn’t damage anything (luckily?)

Some power protection devices have timed delays for activation of individual outlets dedicated for specific equipment to eliminate that problem. Also, timed sequential turn off.

Amazon Power Sequencer

https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Power-Conditioner-Sequencer-Outlets/dp/B01MYNCACV/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=power+sequencer&qid=1691324281&sr=8-5

 

 

I forgot to mention that I also have a Niagara 1200 power conditioner.  Not sure if its also supposed to act like a surge protector but it doesn't help prevent the problem either.

 

 

This doesn't sound like a grounding issue, unless you have very high amounts of static (low humidity).

Sounds much more like a failing cap and it needs to be serviced.

erik, I'm not sure what that means - cap.  Capacitor?  And where, the house, the outlet, or the amp? 

"failing cap" refers to a power supply capacitor in your Mac power amp. 

Some appliances, particularly those that draw a lot of power and have motors, will send a noise pulse into your house's AC circuit of your house when they cycle on or off.   (And, if you have central air, you can't move the stereo to the others side of your circuit since they run on 240 volts, using both sides.)

The power supply of your power amp takes AC from the wall socket and turns it into DC at the voltage needed by your amp. Normally, power supplies are designed to filter out most AC noise.  How old is your amp? Large capacitors in power amps often start to fail somewhere around 20+ years, though it can happen before or after that.

Also note, the amp may be fine, and it is a power supply for a source.  You indicated that it is only your turntable straight to the Mac, so that likely isn't the case in your situation.