Weird speaker buzz problem

stangman67

Experiencing a bit of a weird buzzing problem over here. I purchased and installed a AQ Niagara 1200 power conditioner and at first had no issues. I listened for a few minutes, then turned the amp off and kept the pre/phono on to warm up. Went up this evening to listen, turned on my amp and was greeted by a decently loud buzz from the speakers. This was not low level tweeter hiss, but a transformery buzz.

Turning off pre/phono didn't do anything. Unplugging the Niagara from the wall stops the buzz (amp is directly plugged into the wall, same circuit as the AQ). Then plugging the AQ back in even without anything plugged in causes the buzz to return.

Now even more interesting, plugging the niagara in and then plugging my pre directly into the wall makes the buzz disappear.

I bought the Niagara open box, wondering if it is faulty. Went back to my old trusty Belkin PureAV and everything is peachy and dead quiet. Any ideas? It is an old house but all electrical was redone three years ago. Never had problem with noise until the AQ entered the house. Tempted to return it and buy a new one to see if there is still an issue, I really like the form factor of the 1200 so would like to give it another shot I think

Clipdat

Can you try the 1200 downstairs in a different room/circuit with some different stereo gear and see if you can replicate the same behavior/symptoms?

Definitely sounds like a defective unit at first glance.

stangman67

Believe it or not, I don’t have any stereo equipment in any other rooms but good suggestion!

mhardy6647

You're hearing it through the speakers, if I read correctly, so it doesn't sound like mechanical ("transformer') buzz -- i.e., you're not hearing the "laminations singing" in the PT of one of your components.

Sounds, to me, therefore more like induced hum from the innards of the new component (very possibly a transformer or other inductor) into another component in your system (amp, preamp, or even source), or a cable acting as an antenna.
Try moving the new conditioner: turn it 90 degrees, move it physically higher or lower with respect to its current location, and see if the hum/buzz changes in magnitude.

Could also be a ground loop, I suppose, occasioned by the new component, given the preamp result described in the OP. One could try judiciously lifting a few grounds, here and there, with a cheater... although I guess the most likely culprit is probably the new kid on the block (conditioner), which might grumble about having its ground lifted. If your preamp has a 3-wire power cord, perhaps try lifting the ground between it and the conditioner.




EDIT: open box, eh? Hmmm... perhaps now you know why.

stangman67

Thanks for the suggestions. I purchased a new one and it should be here on Tuesday. If the problem is gone, I will know the open box one is the issue. If not I will have to troubleshoot or return both and go a different route. I think I’ll try one of the IsoTek power strip sized conditioners next if this doesn’t get better with the new one. The Belkin never gave me any issues but it’s a full size component and I’m very tight on space now in my rack

Clipdat

Good troubleshooting technique, looking forward to the result.

txcoastal1

I've had good luck with the PS Audio Dectet AC Power Conditioner

Bought 5 of them back in the day at 1/2 price sale back when they were $600

That's why I was called out about the ones I have my pinball machines plugged into. When I was doing audio shows, hotels often had nasty power and they would clear up most of the issues.

I also have a couple Furman Elite 15's and 20's be very happy with

Your system rocks dude....big MW fan

stangman67

Appreciate the compliment! And the suggestion on the Dectet! I’ll keep that in mind if the second AQ doesn’t work out

audioluvr

Sounds like your power conditioner works better unplugged. Problem solved.

VR3

audioluvr wrote: »

Sounds like your power conditioner works better unplugged. Problem solved.

That's how most power conditioners sound best 🤔

stangman67

Unfortunately the second AQ Niagara still presents the buzzing problem. I did as much troubleshooting as I can with what I have to no avail. Whatever technology is being employed in the AQ just does not play well with my stuff. I could certainly lift grounds until I find the problem component, but I am going to go back to square one and try either an Isotek EVO 3 sirius or a PS Dectet

Clipdat

Shunyata PS8 with the Venom Defender also worth a look. Happy with mine.

FWIW I liked it better than the Dectet or the AQ 1200.

stangman67

Thanks for the suggestion! Does that provide any spike protection? Does not appear so to me, the protection factor is important for me as I live in a 100 year old house in an old community where we experience power events from time to time. I understand while surge protection doesn't always sound the best, I need to protect my investment to some extent

stangman67

AH I see, the defender serves the protection purpose

VR3

Have you considered a whole house surge protector?

VR3

Siemens FS100 Protection Device Whole House Surge Protector, Gray https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013WINLIO/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_PD0FWS86JHSQQ123XGFV

Clipdat

Heh heh you said siemen

stangman67

I really have not considered that route but it certainly is intriguing. I’ll have to do a bit of research and cost out having one installed

txcoastal1

SurgeX is badazz when it comes to protection

I have 2 SurgeX PF 420 circuit panels in my house
1-for the pinball room...also uses 2 of the PS audio Dectet
1-for media...also a Furman Elite 20

Furman Elite does surge and conditioning

I'm in Hurricane/lightning country and will cry if my shat got blasted

Not to say it will not, but if the insurance company wants to investigate I can tell them FU pay me!!

stangman67

Thanks for the suggestions. I need something with a small form factor like the isotek Corvus, dectet or the Shunyata drew linked above. No space in the rack for a component sized conditioner anymore. I’m gonna give the isotek a shot, if that doesn’t work out I will be going with a whole house surge protector and then just a distributor like the shunyata

txcoastal1

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Emlyn

It could be a house wiring problem with an outlet that's not grounded properly given this is an ongoing issue. The Niagara essentially just dissipates power line noise to ground. It does that very well in my experience.

I never noticed a buzz from mine, just power dropping to a component that didn't have the cord securely connected. The receptacles are tight.

stangman67

It is not an ongoing issue. It has only been an issue since the Niagara has been put in. Never had a problem before this

stangman67

Good news is the Isotek unit is installed and is nice and quiet (and compact!). Saved quite a bit over the AQ so I had some leeway to buy a few more sets of Furutech plugs and a bit more wire to complete my power cable overhaul

Clipdat

All's well that ends well.