Amp transformer mechanical AC noise
BlueFox
Posts: 15,251
I have two Cambridge-Audio 840W amps, and they both perform flawlessly. However, they both emitted what I refer to as a mechanical noise from the transformer. At least, that is what I think it is. If you are close to the amps, and there is no music, it is audible.
Anyways, there was another thread about a month or so ago, and in it I think it was FTGV who said that dirty AC power can make the transformers noisy. That was the first time I heard of that, and I wondered if it might be related to my amp noise. At that time I was using a Panamax 5300 for cleaning up my AC, and it was connected to the wall with a Pangea AC9 cable.
Yesterday, I upgraded to a Shunyata Triton power conditioner, a Shunyata Python Ztron power cable, and a Shunyata SR-Z1 wall receptacle. Review forthcoming since they say it has a 200 hour burn-in period. However, I did run it for 18 hours in the garage with 5 fans plugged in, so it did have some burn-in before I installed it. First impression is, THIS THING IS GREAT. SHUNYATA IS THE BEST.
Anyway, the point here is the amp transformer noise is gone. Now, I just about have to put my head inside the amp in order to hear the faintest noise. The system has never sounded better.
Anyways, there was another thread about a month or so ago, and in it I think it was FTGV who said that dirty AC power can make the transformers noisy. That was the first time I heard of that, and I wondered if it might be related to my amp noise. At that time I was using a Panamax 5300 for cleaning up my AC, and it was connected to the wall with a Pangea AC9 cable.
Yesterday, I upgraded to a Shunyata Triton power conditioner, a Shunyata Python Ztron power cable, and a Shunyata SR-Z1 wall receptacle. Review forthcoming since they say it has a 200 hour burn-in period. However, I did run it for 18 hours in the garage with 5 fans plugged in, so it did have some burn-in before I installed it. First impression is, THIS THING IS GREAT. SHUNYATA IS THE BEST.
Anyway, the point here is the amp transformer noise is gone. Now, I just about have to put my head inside the amp in order to hear the faintest noise. The system has never sounded better.
Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits.
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits.
Post edited by BlueFox on
Comments
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Are you referring to my thread? If so, I'd like to report that the addition of the belkin pf60 eliminated the noise from my Adcom! That was worth the money to me right there! Nice new gear btw, congrats!
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Sometimes a small amount of DC can be riding on the AC line which can cause mechanical hum in toroidal type transformers.... dirty AC power can make the transformers noisy. -
Sometimes a small amount of DC can be riding on the AC line which can cause mechanical hum in toroidal type transformers.
Yes. That's right. Now I remember. I don't know if there was any DC there or not, but the noise went away.Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits.
