Forums - Power Conditioning

CAJames Seasoned Member "I've run every red light on memory lane." Posts: 3028	Re: Power Conditioning Reply #50 - 01/12/26 at 16:40:00 I can't speak to what others were looking for but it is possible for a speaker cable to pickup noise, esp. in a place like NYC. But if you swapped speaker cables and the same hum came out of the right speaker than that isn't the issue. I'll stick with my suggestion this is a problem for Steve. P.S. Nice looking system
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Donnie

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Posts: 2435

Re: Power Conditioning
Reply #51 - 01/12/26 at 19:41:21

Well I was thinking the same thing as CAJames was, something sneaking into the speaker cable because it was by a electric heating element or something similar.
It is always nice to see the "problem child" to see if something just comes popping out, but nothing this time looks suspicious.

I hate to say this, but it looks like it is time for your amp to take a tour to the banks of the Illinois River to get sorted out.

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Sean Seasoned Member Posts: 390	Re: Power Conditioning Reply #52 - 01/12/26 at 22:34:50 The left side hums more? Have you tried unplugging those grow lights? I have overhead LED lights on a dimmer, off is not a problem but when the are on I can hear a distinct hum. My system is on its own circuit, I keep the lights off.
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RY

Verified Member

Posts: 49

Re: Power Conditioning
Reply #53 - 01/13/26 at 01:54:48

That is an interesting idea, but unfortunately even with all lights off I hear the hum.

My amp is on its own circuit as well.
It is strange it is only on the left channel on the amp.
I could disconnect the rest of the house except the amp circuit just to be sure…. But why just the left channel?

The difference is audible hum between the left at 56 db and the right at 46 db is significant with music that isn’t loud….

I emailed Sarah but haven’t heard back. Maybe I will email Steve direct.

Thanks all,

R

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Donnie Seasoned Member Why does it hurt when I pee? Posts: 2435	Re: Power Conditioning Reply #54 - 01/13/26 at 02:23:09 RY, Just one more thing to try! Please try another electrical circuit, just one more variable to test.
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RY Verified Member Posts: 49	Re: Power Conditioning Reply #55 - 01/13/26 at 02:43:46 Thank you, but I did try that. I have two dedicated outlets side by side. Hums on both.
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JBzen

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Posts: 1602

Re: Power Conditioning
Reply #56 - 01/13/26 at 12:33:09

Just some thoughts from your setup picture. Is the grid work in the window made of metal? Is that a hot water/steam cast iron radiator under the window? The orientation of your amp appears that the left channel tube is closet to the window? Maybe turning the amp 90 degrees might balance the hum. The window grid acting as an antenna if metal. Cast iron radiator is a huge ground drain. Maybe the open crossover is interacting with the window/radiator. Have you tried the crossover or speaker in a different location? Maybe try running a chassis ground wire from the amp to the radiator. My thoughts and good luck!

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Tony

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Posts: 842

Re: Power Conditioning
Reply #57 - 01/13/26 at 14:43:24

I emailed Sarah but haven’t heard back. Maybe I will email Steve direct

I never had success with emails. Call Sarah. If you get a recording, hang up and call back as often as you can. Depending on the day, you can either get right through, or it can take a couple of hours of calling. Once you reach Sarah, she will make an appointment with you to talk with Steve.

Good luck,

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RY

Verified Member

Posts: 49

Re: Power Conditioning
Reply #58 - 01/20/26 at 16:43:39

Hello all,

I super appreciate your insight and advice...

Some updates:

-The hum is still louder on the left channel of the amp. (I swapped L-R speaker cables and the louder hum switched to my right channel, so seems internal to the amp). HOWEVER, it seems to have been reduced in DB. It is no 50db Left, 41 db Right. (before it was 50db Left, 44 db Right after multiple measurements).

-My wifi router is 2' to the left of my amp. I tried unplugging it and taking measurements at night, but the hum remained unchanged.

CURIOUS... I am curious if I should just live with this degree of Hum. If you have the "Sonic Tools" app, could one of you measure the hum an inch in front of your speakers? I am using a new iPhone... Should I live with a 50db hum on one channel?

In my correspondence with Steve, he said the hum should be the same on both channels. Should I send it in given it is clearly and consistently louder on the left channel?

Thanks for advice.
Richard

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CAJames Seasoned Member "I've run every red light on memory lane." Posts: 3028	Re: Power Conditioning Reply #59 - 01/20/26 at 17:04:55 Quote: Posted by: RY Posted on: Today at 08:43:39 In my correspondence with Steve, he said the hum should be the same on both channels. Should I send it in given it is clearly and consistently louder on the left channel? What does Steve think? I'd go with that.
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RY

Verified Member

Posts: 49

Re: Power Conditioning
Reply #60 - Today at 03:54:05

I am still putting together the picture.

So new observations:

-Recently, the hum seems to. have gone from 55db L / 46db R to 50L/45R. The hum on the Left Channel is quieter?

-I noticed when remeasuring today, the Left Channel is actually 120hz. The right channel alternates between 120hz and 62hz.

I think that seems significant. What do you all think?

I will soon diagnose the following:
-moving amp location completely, rotating it 180 degrees
-turning off all circuits in the house except the dedicated curcuit that the amp is on

....

appreciate the advice and insight... hoping to resolve this without the 1K to reinstate the lifetime warrantee, and don't want to live without this beautiful sound for the 1-2 months it may take to send it in to be diagnosed...

thanks!
Richard

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MM Seasoned Member Posts: 427	Re: Power Conditioning Reply #61 - Today at 04:17:01 Mine has 120 hz in both channels in the 50 db range. I’m told it’s everything but the amp. It’s the power, it’s the source, it’s the tubes, it’s the cables. I’m learning to live with it. Though if you find a fix, let me know.
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