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Ground Loop Issue 427

After talking with the manufacturer's of both the amps & preamp, I still have a 60hz hum. Here's the story:

Just changed amps to 845 SET monos, and now I hear the hum whenever the amps are on and RCA interconnects are connected to the amp inputs. Didn't have the problem with two prior pairs of amps. The pre could be turned off, and I still hear the hum. With shorting plugs in the amps, no hum.

The pre is battery powered, with no ac cable, and the trouble persists whether or not any sources are connected to the pre.

I've tried multiple types of interconnect, including the heavily-sheilded cheapos from a vcr, but no change.

One friend questions if adding a "hum potentiometer" to the amps would make sense. Others have suggested the $600 Granite Ground Zero, which is unaffordable for me.

I've already tried cheater plugs any/everywhere. I've added a grounding wire between the monoblocks metal bottom plate and floating one power cable while leaving the other grounded, all per the amp manuf's suggestion. I've tried HighWire LiveWires, which might be good sonically for RFI, but aren't helping the hum issue. This is a music only rig, no cable tv anywhere in the room. I am in a heavy RFI area, 1000ft from a radio tower, if that matters...

Anybody got any suggestions other than moving elsewhere? Thanks,

Spencer
128x128sbank
sbank's avatar
sbank OP
3,378 posts
 
Thanks for responses so far, guys.

I've already tried both in one ac outlet, as well as in different outlets. I have already connected a grounding wire between the amps(per manufacturer's suggestion). The speakers are not powered.

FWIW, I demoed the amps at a local dealer, and there was no problem in their system. That's part of why I think it's a ground loop, and not a repair issue with the amps. They are preowned ;-) , so sending them back is not a real option anyway.

If I can borrow another preamp, I'll try that. The long extension cords are a great idea, I'll try that too.

Does anyone thing this is an airborn RFI issue rather than an AC/ground loop problem? Thanks,
Spencer
Post removed 
clio09
3,354 posts
 
When I lived a few blocks away from a radio station I had all sorts of RFI issues resulting in hum. Phono stages (even solid state) were especially problematic. One of my preamps gave me all sorts of fits.

Hopefully your problem is not related to the radio tower. I had to move to solve my problem.
jb0194
476 posts
 
Call Jensen Transformers (do a web search) and buy an "Isomax". It'll cost under $200, but also require an additional interconnect pair. They use very high quality isolation transformers. The box is about 3"x5"x1" size.

I've found the "Isomax" to sufficiently mitigate hum in my systems. When it's failed, nothing else "worked" either. I've also found that Cardas Golden Reference ICs screen hum better than any I've used, though I'm sure many others do as well - but many don't.

Good luck. I despise hum/noise.
ig316b
104 posts
 
SBank
If you can take the amps to a friends house that's nowhere near the radio tower and plug them in. This will eliminate the radio tower from the equation.
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