2. amps-preamps
  3. 1133926640

I'm SHOCKED literally .

I put a couple of new components in, and generally shuffled things around in my system last night - and after listening for a couple of hours today - got SERIOUSLY zapped (it was audible) as I touched the Volume knob on the preamp to turn it down. There was some kind of charge build up, and it took a while to drain it all down - I had to (gingerly) touch the knob a couple more times and then hold it until the charge was drained off. My finger still hurts!

This has never happened before - so it's not static from my rug or something. I'll be doing some careful testing tonight, but in the meantime - Any ideas what could cause this???

Possible explanatory variables:

---The "new" items were the preamp (tube) itself, the processor which connects through the Pre's Tape loop, and a Granite Audio power cord with toroidal noise filters at each end connecting the Pre to a surge protector (temporarily). The surge protector has been in use elsewhere with no trouble.

---The new processor is a two prong plug - Polarity?

Tonight I will try running a couple of hours with the processor unplugged and the Tape Monitor OFF to see if I have the same problem. Or if any other equipment has the charge buildup.

Any ideas? Is there a plausible explanation without there being an actual equipment problem?

opalchip
opalchip OP
355 posts
 
Thanks for all the suggestions so far - I'm pretty sure it wasn't static, since this has never happened before and my room has been the same for 5 years. The processor has a simple two-prong plug and I reversed it's polarity in the outlet then tried to recreate the situation again and couldn't. So somehow, it may have been that.

I'm going to test the equipment chassis' to see if there is any slight current flow going on. But for now, I'll just have to be careful. Or I'll just ask my wife to change the volume - she's the one who always wants it lowered anyway!
phd
1,332 posts
 
I agree with Stereo Spencer & Jond if it is static electricity. Thats exactly what I was doing, touching a metal object to disharge before touching the stereo until I could figure what was causing the static.

Opalchip keep in mind that static electicity can give you quite a snappy jolt ( is audible as well) as it discharges from your fingers to the volume knob. On occasions I could see the sparks, but very slightly.
rking100
7 posts
 
"Or I'll just ask my wife to change the volume - she's the one who always wants it lowered anyway!"

Dude...that's classic!!!
audiofire5228
60 posts
 
same thing just started happening to me. wonder if it causes any damage to the components?
phd
1,332 posts
 
Audiofire5228, yes it can destroy a delicate processor chip used for remote controlled functions. Best to use the remote if you have a static problem until the problem can be resolved. If not remote operated, probably can't hurt too much.
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