Forums - System Noise

HockessinKid

Seasoned Member

Posts: 1334

System Noise
01/03/26 at 19:30:51

NHappy New Year Decware forum members,

I think many of us have struggled from time to time with system noise, often it is like chasing your tail.

I have a dedicated listening room in my basement. My components are hooked up to dedicated 15 amp circuits using separate 10 gauge Romex. I've chased a few noise demons in my day, but had a bit of a revelation yesterday.

My basement has a drop ceiling which had 48" standard fluorescent light fixtures and AC outlets on a completely separate circuit breaker and Romex runs. Yesterday my friend installed some new LED panels to replace the almost 20 year old fluorescent light fixtures. I'm guessing the fluorescent ballasts emitted enough RF interference to cause some problems, even though they were in a separate room.

I swear that residual noise has been vaniquished based on my long listening sessions last night and today. Anyway just thought this might be of interest to some.

HK

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Nottingham Interspace TT > MWI PH 9.0XT phono pre or MWI modded Cambridge CNX V2 > CSP3-25th preamp > STL STR-1002 Super > ZMA-25th amplifier > PI Audio UberBUSS > Caintuck Lii15 Magnum speakers > Rythmik F12G subwoofer > SA AUVA's > Snake River & ZenWave cables

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Bottlehead Seasoned Member Posts: 638	Re: System Noise Reply #1 - 01/03/26 at 19:34:27 Interesting, HK. Thanks for the tip. Randy
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CAJames Seasoned Member "I've run every red light on memory lane." Posts: 3143	Re: System Noise Reply #2 - 01/03/26 at 21:07:39 If you have a high resolution system everything matters, so I’m not surprised noise from the lights was an issue. For me it was noise from switched mode power supplies.
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MikeinMontana

Seasoned Member

Posts: 355

Re: System Noise
Reply #3 - 01/04/26 at 19:07:57

Glad it works out..

Sometimes us ~slightly~ older types have lighting issues where we cannot tolerate led or florescent lighting. Eye sensitivity stuff. The newer lighting of today are much like a nuclear facility or search light :D....unreal and painful now. White hot, overly bright. Including the vehicles and business/ home lighting next to roads now too. Retina burners. Blinding at night too for drivers into oncoming lights and some from behind in mirrors too.. Especially in inclement weather. We have a lot of big game animals that cross around here and folks are nailing large animals with not even a slight bit of skid mark before. Incoming vehicles are blinding more than ever. People are being unnecessarily harmed with the newer lighting today. I will not purchase a newer vehicle for this reason. (of course the 'quality' and price too) Luckily we were able to purchase a case of incandescent bulbs several years ago now for our home and they will last the rest of our lives. Anyway, the lighting inside and around our home has never been an issue for sound problems in our home. (Or for visiting lighting from us in any way onto others properties.) Maybe some noise is due to the type of lights? I realize this is a rant... just wish more people would recognize how dangerous cars are today... I am calling and writing on this matter... our more local new car dealer is very aware and gets it. "Newer drivers who's parents have some dough purchase these for their own kids..." Just like Decware Amps. Sometimes older technology is MUCH better. [smiley=icqlite20.png] Be careful. Mike

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HockessinKid

Seasoned Member

Posts: 1334

Re: System Noise
Reply #4 - 01/04/26 at 19:43:05

Mike,

I completely understand with my aging eyes. Incandescents are just really hard to get today in my state. The LED panels I purchased are adjustable. You can set them at 30-40-50 watts and have a color range from 3,000 to 5,000 Kelvin in 500K increments. So I just set them at 3,000K and 40 watts a rather natural color setting.

And the beauty is they are rated for 100,000 hours of use with a 7 year fully guaranteed replacement warranty. So for me, sometimes the new technology works out. I'm happy 😊.

HK

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Nottingham Interspace TT > MWI PH 9.0XT phono pre or MWI modded Cambridge CNX V2 > CSP3-25th preamp > STL STR-1002 Super > ZMA-25th amplifier > PI Audio UberBUSS > Caintuck Lii15 Magnum speakers > Rythmik F12G subwoofer > SA AUVA's > Snake River & ZenWave cables

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