Unstable voltage?

audiocr381ve
audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
edited February 2012 in 2 Channel Audio
Hey guys, I have a little bit of an issue. Every time we turn on a ceiling fan or restroom fan, the system makes a "click" sound. Our townhouse was built in the 60's, it's really old. I wonder if a power conditioner of some sort would help stabilize the voltage and protect my gear?

You guys know how it is. You start upgrading things and all of a sudden the perfectionist inside starts to surface :redface:

Can anyone recommend a product to me?
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Comments

  • Beta
    Beta Posts: 267
    edited February 2012
    +1 regarding the APC H15.

    I have been using one for over two years now. I first used it in my 2 channel system and now have it set up in my HT system. Works superbly for me to regulate fluctuating incoming voltage. YMMV.

    They can be acquired at very reasonable prices brand new. You can probably find one for even less money if you are willing to buy used.
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited February 2012
    Are they on the same circuit?

    I had similar issues here at my house (built in 1903 wooooo!!) and I would always get noise out my system when kitchen lights were turned off or the furnace kicked in. I recently incorporated a power conditioner into my setup and I'm quite satisfied. They do help. The security of the nice surge protection is nice as well. No hums in my system.

    Never used the APC model but lots here have it and love it.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited February 2012
    A conditoner may or may not help. It's not necessarily unstable voltage. If they are on the same circuit, there can be noise from those sorts of electrical devices.

    All that being said a conditioner can be a positive even if it doesn't get rid of the clicking noise. A dedicated circuit will get rid of the noise. I have nothing but praise for my APC H15 power conditioner. Works exactly like it should and you don't even notice it's there.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited February 2012
    I would suggest installing dedicated circuits. A dedicated subpanel for your audio gear. This is what I have for my audio system:
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • CoolJazz
    CoolJazz Posts: 570
    edited February 2012
    I would start with considering replacing the light switch. They do wear out. As contacts get worn, they will start to create more and more arc as the contacts move towards making. Heavy loads being switched increases rapidly this problem.

    Two most likely situations. Either you're on the same circuit (very likely), or it's creating enough arc to be RF (which like lightning is broadband) and it's being received into something.

    CJ
    A so called science type proudly says... "I do realize that I would fool myself all the time, about listening conclusions and many other observations, if I did listen before buying. That’s why I don’t, I bought all of my current gear based on technical parameters alone, such as specs and measurements."

    More amazing Internet Science Pink Panther wisdom..."My DAC has since been upgraded from Mark Levinson to Topping."
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited February 2012
    I was going to suggest replacing the switches as well. It can't hurt and it's typically a 5 minute job as long as you remember to cut the power!
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited February 2012
    +1

    Been there, done that. It's no fun to have a numb hand for 10-15 minutes...

    Make sure you turn off that breaker!!
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited February 2012
    Thanks guys. I just ordered an APC H15 (in silver).
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited February 2012
    Voltage regulating power centers are great. Congrats!
    Jake
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited February 2012
    zingo wrote: »
    Voltage regulating power centers are great. Congrats!

    Thanks Zingo!
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  • civilian
    civilian Posts: 357
    edited February 2012
    heiney9 wrote: »
    It can't hurt and it's typically a 5 minute job as long as you remember to cut the power!
    It can be a much shorter job if you forget to cut the power:razz:
    I am very happy with my power conditioner as it stopped my directv receiver from doing several odd things (like not working).
    ________________
    2 Channel-Denon AVR-4520/SDA 2.3TL's
    5.1-Denon AVR-4500h/RT3000P's/CS1000P/RT2000P's/
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  • rickrick37
    rickrick37 Posts: 10
    edited February 2012
    In my experience to use power conditioner is not bad for this purpose......
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited February 2012
    My APC H15 arrived a few hours ago and is now installed in the system.

    Nice to have piece of mind :) I swear that things are a little more smooth and defined but I think it's all in my head!
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  • NE1410S
    NE1410S Posts: 44
    edited February 2012
    Is the original problem now solved w/conditioner?
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited February 2012
    NE1410S wrote: »
    Is the original problem now solved w/conditioner?

    I had my wife turn on the bathroom fans both upstairs and down stairs and I did not hear any pop or click. It appears it may have fixed the problem.
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited February 2012
    For you APC owners, when you guys power down your system, do you turn off the APC? Or do you turn of each component separately?

    If you power down the APC, is their a correct order to turning off components before shut down?
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited February 2012
    APC is on 24/7 because the TV and Dish Network box is plugged into it. If you cut power to those things everytime you power up you have to wait for a reset.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited February 2012
    Cool, thanks guys.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,966
    edited February 2012
    Rick88 wrote: »
    I don't know if they will even protect your gear when they are powered off, does anyone else?

    No, put then they are ment to be powered on, always. Why would anyone power them off ?
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