I have a hum-related thread going on the SE84C+ forum, and I've noticed a few similar threads on other forums.

However, in the bigger picture of general hum/noise reduction, I'm just curious if anyone else has employed solutions like isolation transformers, power regenerators (like the PS Audio Power Plant Premier), line conditioners, and the like -- and what your results have been.

And I'm particularly interested in any good bang-for-the-buck solutions.

In fact, I noticed that Steve even mentions the PS Audio unit in his discussion of why the Mini Torii's tube regulation is so useful (on the Mini Torii's web page).

Anyway, any thoughts or suggestions?

Mark Blair
relatively new SE84C+ owner (with just a slight bit of noticeable hum)

Brett -

Very curious to find out if the PS Audio Power Plant Premier makes a significant difference.

And I'm probably not inclined to build my own isolation transformer at this time (which probably explains why I purchased the SE84C+ instead of getting the kit) -- but I'd sure like to know whether it could address my specific hum situation (as described in my thread under the SE84C+ forum).

Mark

Well the Power Premier is certainly a positive influence. Can't find anything wrong with it's effect on the music. Everything it does is for the better. Hum is still there if you listen for it.

I've plugged in my USB to digital audio re-clocker, DAC, and Select. It's fun to think about each piece of gear in the system benefiting from cleaner sine waves.

Naturally a typical piece of audio gear has to have a built in AC to DC converter (Power Supply) so as to be plug and play.

It's an interesting situation where adding this power generator yields a process of converting home AC power to DC to then create new AC power for your gear which then coverts AC back to DC. So even with this added complexity the end result is cleaner.

Thinking about your system in this way leads to concepts of running an all DC system powered off of battery banks stored in the garage to eliminate this AC problem altogether. How cool would it be to have a system where the only existent AC signal was the music?

Here goes trying to explain what I'm hearing...

First thing I noticed is that the music sounds much more hearty and weighted. The bottom end much more present and articulate. this with the added clarity leads one to crank it up and when I did it was surprising how much more volume I could use without it getting brash.

I'm going out on a limb to try and describe the effect it's had on the tone. It feels like the vibrations in the room are gripping more definitely and I can feel myself vibrating. So in other words I can feel the music even in the middle frequencies rather than just hearing it.

Thinking of the music as the super complex air ripples that they are, there is a sense that the peaks and dips of the ripples are sharper and cleaner which in effect has a better hold over the room. Another way to put it is that the system has more speed which has yielded cleaner sonic tones and sense of pressure that is realistic in scale.

It just sounds amazing.

It's interesting to note that the unit has meters for incoming voltage and THD, as well as output.

Last night my house power was running at 120v. This morning it is reading 123v and 2% THD.

It's outputing a steady 120v and .4 THD.

Power, AC and DC have been a fascination for me for decades. I too, have owned numerous power conditioners including PS Audio, Tripplite, Brickwall, and BPT. I've owned them all in separate homes and AC situations. Each has some benefits, but also limitations. But as far as addressing hum problems, n one have had much, if any effect. Using a DC/battery preamp was the best solution that I ever tried. As mentioned before, hum is a local problem associated to a single unit. So many times, it has been a power amp. I know this by disconnecting the input and just turning it on and listening to the hum from the amp. I wish I had some easy suggestions, but usually, I have just replaced the amp. The only other experiment is to remove the earth ground, but I know you have already tried those things...good luck....  :-/

Pale Rider. This makes sense to me. And 4krow, your comments also make sense to me. If you have a ground problem in the amp, good power will help the sound but not fix the hum. Though it can be totally the amp, hum is not always totally, or even partially the amp. It can be the amp's interaction with ground issues with other components, power cables, interconnects, cable layout, or leaked over noise from other appliances, rheostats, computers etc in the circuit or leg of the circuit board, bad receptacles, loose ground connections....or from transformers before your house....lots of stuff can contribute even if you isolate the primary offender as the amp.

Everything I have done to refine the power coming in...hospital grade plug, Alan Maher filters, Brickhouse...have helped lower the hum a bit while improving the "Black" and this is why i have been looking into this subject....not because my hum is intimidating, but because any hum is interfering with the sound.



Pale Rider, check this out http://www.provantage.com/tripp-lite-is500hg~ATRPC00T.htm

I am considering this one...inexpensive and I believe with a 30 day unconditional return, but I will call to corroborate that if i decide to order.

Good Luck!

I've always wondered if the "Transcendent Sound Balanced Power Supply" would improve my system.

http://www.transcendentsound.com/Transcendent/Transcendent_Sound_Power_Supply.ht...

Is it safe to change the neutral line from 0 volts to 60 volts?  

I bought a TrippLite isolation transformer many (>16) years ago and returned it immediately because the transformer hummed REALLY loud.  We tried several and they all made too much noise.

Does TrippLite still have transformer noise problems?

Seank, I haven't done a kit in a while, but your link to the Transcendent came in just in time to keep me from ordering the Tripp Lite. I may still try the TL, since I can send it back, but I am definitely going to try the Transcendent. I am also investigating 4krow's BPT.

Like Will, I don't have a hum "problem." I am just looking for better clarity, blacker black.

I like JLM's comments regarding the quality of power varying from area to area. I'm pretty sure the quality of my power here is much worse than my last home. Since living here my stereo just hasn't been as enjoyable. Adding the power plant has made a night and day difference and I've been reminded why I love this hobby so much. After many days of listening it's still an obvious improvement. My buddy will be asking to have this back pretty soon unfortunately so I'll probably wind up getting one for myself.

I think it did reduce the hum a bit. As others have commented, it will depend on the source of the hum rather having balanced power has an effect. I listen at near field as well, but as I've said elsewhere I've heard a few zen amps and normally they are DEAD quiet. Mine has an issue with the power transformer and it's possible there could be a similar issue with your amp.