Trying to troubleshoot a challenge I am having with my system. Main amp is Mini Torii with analog and digital sources as well as plate amps, which power the open baffle subs in my GR Super V system (pictured). I am getting a strong 60 Hz hum/noise in my subs that seems to be coming through the line out of my MT.

Couple of things:
1) Not present when just the plate amps are on, no input.
2) The level of the hum/noise increases with an increase of the volume on the MT.
3) The noise is present with no inputs plugged into the Mini Torii.

I've tried:
1) swapping out interconnects from the LO of the MT to the sub amps (used 4 different pairs, including S/PDIF cables.
2) using the speaker outs of the MT into the high level inputs of the sub amp (not enough power to drive the sub amps properly).
3) Added power conditioning -- using a PowerFoundation AudioPrism Power Foundation III Power Line Conditioner. Added a better outlet (Hubbell spec. grade).
4) Upgraded power cords -- signal magic/ no difference.
5) Tried a DC blocking filter -- Emotiva CMX-2 -- no difference.

The power circuit that my audio system is on is regrettably on a AFGI (arc fault) breaker, which I can hear audibly resonating when I put my ear to the mains panel.

I've measured the line using an ENTECH power line monitor. The outlet I have plugged my gear in is the best of the bunch in the room.

Thanks in advance for your help brainstorming this issue. Happy to provide measurements or more information as needed.

You can test my theory by removing the IC's between the plate amp's and MT. If the Subs are quiet with IC's removed (no connections between amp and Subs) then current is flowing over the IC ground lead causing the hum.

DBC

dan,

Your observation is helpful and you are correct. Technically speaking your plate amps and MT should all be plugged into the same power circuit utilizing the same Earth ground. This way any current leakage to the chassis of either plate amp or the MT is drained to earth ground through the power cord earth ground. This would generally be the path of least resistance directly to earth ground, not through the IC's to another piece of equipment and then to earth ground.

Do you have a Volt / Ohm meter? First thing I would check is that the Earth Ground prong on the power cord for each amp is in fact common to the amp chassis. I seem to recall some Decware amps have a floating ground meaning the Chassis is not strapped to earth ground? Perhaps someone else here can tell us about the MT.

If the chassis of any one of the three amps is not connected to earth ground then current can flow via the IC's to another amp that is grounded to earth ground. Using an Ohm meter I would check each amp to confirm continuity from the earth ground prong to the amp chassis and from the amp chassis to the outer jacket of the rca connection. All IC's will need to be removed, power cords removed from power source.

Generally with plate amps I find the rca outer jacket of the sub-in connection is common with the plate chassis and this is common to earth ground prong on the power cord.

Should have looked at the tubes first. I've found that its usually the simpler things that cause the most trouble

Believe me I was bedeviled by a ticking oscillation in one side of my Torii. After agonizing over it, changing tubes, etc., I thought to move my router and that was the culprit!