Forums - Print Page

Forums
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl
EQUIPMENT FORUMS >> ZP3 / ZMC1,2,3 >> The Hum
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1552079855

Message started by Showme on 03/08/19 at 21:17:32

Title: The Hum
Post by Showme on 03/08/19 at 21:17:32

I was ready to pull the trigger on a ZP3, full bore with all the extra’s but in reading the posts on this forum I have to ask how pervasive the hum is? I really don’t want to drop $2,000 for another aggravation. It seems as though a lot of people experience it. Should I be concerned?

Title: Re: The Hum
Post by NormD on 03/08/19 at 21:40:15

I run my ZP3 into my ZTPRE and no more hum (barely noticeable) than if connected to any other components (DAC, home theatre, other phono stage). I just sent it in for the 25th Anniversary upgrade.

Title: Re: The Hum
Post by jslateiv on 03/08/19 at 22:05:35

It's really gonna depend on your setup,.. what kind of cart are you using, what is the ZP3 going into, a pre, an amp,... what is the sensitivity of the amp?
I at first was running the ZP3 with a LO-~.03mv cart > SUT > ZP3 > Pre > amp w/ higher sensitivity (~.7V for full output),.. this combo did exhibit a little noticeable hum when I turned the volume up.

Now I run into a Decware amp with a much lower sensitivity (everything else the same) and the hum is all but gone,.. It really depends on your gain staging. If your running a typical MM cart w/~5mv output I wouldn't worry about it. Seems to be more of an issue when you have to make up gain due to a low output cart. My experience at least..

Title: Re: The Hum
Post by Showme on 03/08/19 at 23:20:06

I’ve got a Thorens 124 with a Goldring cart. I guess at first it would be running into a Teac UD-503 as a preamp to Zen 25th Anniv amp. I’m planning on changing the current pre to a CSP3-25 Anniv or a ZTpre

Title: Re: The Hum
Post by Archie on 03/08/19 at 23:59:48

I've dealt with ZP3 hum and what finally really got rid of it was routing my ICs away from my power outlets. Being near power cords didn't matter but the outlets sure did. There is slight hum compared to my digital channel but not worth worrying about at the level it is. It becomes "audible," without music playing, only at very high volume. So yeah, I'd say the ZP3 is hum free -- but the total setup might not be without some effort. I think some have had issues with WiFi interference too. I keep that function off on my router.

Title: Re: The Hum
Post by JD on 03/09/19 at 01:05:42

The only time I've ever experienced a hum with my zp3 is when components were not set up correctly i/e too close/interfering with each other. When set up correctly it is the my favorite decware component.
I'm looking into uprgrading it.

JD

Title: Re: The Hum
Post by Showme on 03/09/19 at 15:13:57

It sounds like the only way to know is buy it and try it. Thanks for the input.

Title: Re: The Hum
Post by Archie on 03/09/19 at 18:25:39

I think that the ZP3 is quiet, although they can possible ship with, or develop a fault in shipping -- that Steve will readily repair. The hum that I and some others have reported from time to time is a "fault" in the set up of the system. As I mentioned above, cable routing was, in my case, the key.

Title: Re: The Hum
Post by Showme on 03/10/19 at 15:57:41

I pulled the trigger one yesterday. Full monte, beeswax caps and bypass. I don’t know exactly how that works but I just loaded it up. Paduak wood to match my Anniversary amp.

Title: Re: The Hum
Post by Lon on 03/10/19 at 17:38:16

Awesome! The waiting begins. . . but it will be worth it.

Title: Re: The Hum
Post by Archie on 03/10/19 at 19:10:41

Showme. That's great! Do you have a pre to put between the ZP3 and Zen25?

Title: Re: The Hum
Post by Showme on 03/10/19 at 21:19:53

At the moment i’m Using a Teac UD-503 as a DAC/preamp. Seems to work well and I really like the remote feature. I do babe plans next purchase either a CSP-3-25th or a ZTPRE. Most likely at the moment i’m lewning towards the ZTPRE with remote.

Title: Re: The Hum
Post by Archie on 03/10/19 at 21:29:32

The reason I asked was that the ZP3 generally won't put out enough voltage to bring Steve's amps to full power. I thought that could be a problem with a sub-3 watt amp. Sounds like you're covered.

Title: Re: The Hum
Post by Showme on 03/11/19 at 17:32:45

Archie, thanks for the heads up. I sure hope they work out great.

Title: Re: The Hum
Post by bikehappy1 on 02/09/20 at 02:33:35

I just started playing my new VPI Prime. I can unequivocally say that the hum in my ZP3 was my inexpensive Audio Technica turntable. Nice and quiet now from cloud 9!!

Title: Re: The Hum
Post by Gijs van Hoogstraten on 01/21/23 at 16:22:42

Hi everyone,

i thought I’d share some of my hum experience here, since I hooked up my brand new zmc1 and zp3 to my zen torii mk iv. First of all, the whole rig sounds amazing ;D!

But I hooked up the zp3 first without zmc1 and turntable and it was dead quiet. However, when hooking up the rest there was some hum and I solved it by connecting the ground of the zmc1 to the ground of the zp3 and my turntable is grounded to the zmc1. it seems the zmc1 chassis is eager to pickup some surrounding signals. Now, I hear some hum if my torii’s volume is past 2/3 way open and no music playing.

Hope this can be helpful!

Cheers from the Netherlands,

Gijs