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Acceptable level of hum at max volume?

so i am noticing a faint hum when i set my amp to full volume. not sure if it's been there all along but i was tinkering around and noticed it. here is my setup: rega p3-24 w/ttpsu and herbie mat into jolida jd 9 into decware mini torii. if i switch the mini torii to the second input via the switch i get no hum, but when i switch back to the phono i can hear it. mind you this is at FULL VOLUME. my question is, is there an acceptable level of hum at these outrageous volumes. it's not present in the music at normal or even loud listening levels it's just something i noticed while dickering around. i've tried all the usual solutions to eliminating hum like cheater plugs and moving components and swapping cables. i even have a line conditioner. what say you enthusiasts?
roggae
sonofjim
557 posts
 
Stringreen,
As I recall, your system is all solid state which is fine. Solid state circuits often are quieter. I've had both tubed and solid state and much prefer the tube sound even if it may not be dead quiet with an ear to the speaker. (who does that anyway?)
It's a matter of choice. LP's often have surface noise to some degree if you listen close enough. CDs are dead quiet. Most of us here still far prefer the LP. I agree with others here that anyone turning the volume to the max or going to other extreme measures to hear noise is focusing on the wrong thing. Play some music and just relax.
jburidan
803 posts
 
My system is dead quiet, but have had hum from a bad tube. I find any level of hum to be unacceptable.

roggae OP
95 posts
 
Hey everybody! Thanks for your comments. I was just posing the question as I am also inclined to not worry about it. I was just tinkering and noticed it. It'd be interesting to hear with a SS phono preamp. Thanks again!
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rauliruegas
13,111 posts
 
Dear Roggae: Pbnaaudio posted:

++++++++++ A Phono Preamp has a LARGE amount of gain - some hum will almost always be present - if you cannot hear it at your listening position between tracks at normal to loud listening level - don't worry about it. ++++++

and Stringreen posted about some hiss level.

IMHO both are unaceptable by high-end standards. If we have it in our systems then we choosed the wrong electronics designs for the " job " or the wrong set up, period.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,968 posts
 
Hum is not inherent in tubes even if there is no shielding, any more than in transistor circuits.

However, there are compromises that can occur in a design wherein a slight amount of hum at full volume might show up. I would contact the manufacturer and see if they think it might be normal.
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