Buzz in system: Time to add a power conditioner?

Gulfstrings

Probably a dumb question ... but not sure of exactly what's going on. This morning while stumbling around in the dark looking for the remote, I bent over in front of a speaker and heard a "buzz."

Listened to each speaker (not the sub) and heard the same buzz. Had to get within a foot or two - but it was there.

First, I turned off the AVR, still there. Then I turned off the amp. Gone!

Repeated both a couple times ... still there and apparently at the amp, the amp had just been repaired a few weeks ago with no residual issues.

So now I'm just pizzed and head out the door to go get a paper. When I return I try to hear the buzz again - but it's gone! All is normal. WTH?

So as I sit and read the paper I'm mentally sorting thru the possibilities, but have no clue. It was a "buzz," sort of mixed with a bit of static ... started wondering about my power supply.

My system is plugged in to two outlets with one supplying a multiple input surge protector, the other powering the sub and one of the cabinet outlets for the TV and DVR. Other plugs use recepticles in the cabinet but ultimately lead to that surge protector.

When I add it all up there are eleven users of electricity being powered by those two outlets.

Our house is 1984 vintage and we've had a couple gremlens over the years. Power coming to the neighborhood runs underground ...

Does this sound like a power supply issue? If so, would a conditioner help? Is this question as dumb as it now sounds?

Thanks.

gfong

What other components were on? Was your turntable on, etc.. Before you go out and get a conditioner, if you do not find out where the hum is coming from it may get amplified even more after you add a conditioner.

Can you plug the amp directly into the wall and skip the power bar?
What were you listening to or what was running when you first heard the hum. What about other household appliances that could give a drain to your amps.
Could be a ground loop.
I am only taking shots in the dark until you can replicate the issue. Good luck with your system.

I am sure more people will have some sugestions.

Gulfstrings

gfong wrote: »

What other components were on? Was your turntable on, etc.. What were you listening to or what was running when you first heard the hum. What about other household appliances that could give a drain to your amps.

Nada. Nothing. The AVR and amp were on (all nite) as usual, but nothing else was happening - it was 6:00 AM. I was just looking for the TV remote when I heard the buzz.

The sub had powered itself down and all input devices (TT, CDP, BDP, etc) were off.

You mention "ground loop." Not too sure I know exactly what that is unless it just means there is a ground fault in one of the components ... maybe somewhere in the house? I've never heard any kind of "hum" that I normally associate with grounding issues. The TT and its pre amp were turned off/unplugged.

Re appliances running, maybe the frig or the wine cabinet. I'll have to do a little jump-up-and-listen style research to peg that one.

Why do you say a power conditioner may amplify the issue?

Thanks for the help. Much appreciated.

Dave

RuSsMaN

Re: Ground loop, usually a video source is the problem. Disconnect one by one, cable / sat box, game systems, dvd, vhs, and see if one of them is giving you the 'buzz'. The only caveat, is usually a ground loop is described as a hum. Buzz is usually due to an amplifier's transformer.

Cheers,
Russ

Gulfstrings

RuSsMaN wrote: »

Re: Ground loop, usually a video source is the problem. Disconnect one by one, cable / sat box, game systems, dvd, vhs, and see if one of them is giving you the 'buzz'. The only caveat, is usually a ground loop is described as a hum. Buzz is usually due to an amplifier's transformer.

Cheers,
Russ

Agree with the buzz source commeny, but I've only heard it that one time. Makes me think something was passing along interference and I just haven't yet been able to recreate it.

gfong

What I meant by adding a power conditioner was that if the hum was a ground loop or something else that a power conditioner can not get rid of or clean up, the hum could be more prominent.

What power conditioner were you looking at?

Gulfstrings

gfong wrote: »

What I meant by adding a power conditioner was that if the hum was a ground loop or something else that a power conditioner can not get rid of or clean up, the hum could be more prominent.

What power conditioner were you looking at?

I've hunted down those "hums" in boats and car systems fiding anything from bad grounds to poor or unsatisfactory wiring insulation. This thing was definitely a crackly, static-ee buzz.

I'm starting to suspect my repaired amp.

I don't seem to be able to recreate the buzz. And my wife said when she turned the system on to watch TV she heard a "pop" thru the speakers. Everything is working okay, but it was working okay before the amp went out the last time, too.

When beginning my search for a conditioner, I was looking (not seriously yet) at Belkin, Monster and Trip-Lite (SP). Hadn't really gotten in to it, though.

Thanks