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Electrical issue

I have an electrical issue/s that I could use some help with. It's a hum issue, but after exhaustive research here and on AA I still cannot figure it out. I have 4 dedicated lines for my stereo run approximately 75 feet with 10/2 romex all connected to Porter Ports. I own Von Schweikert DB-99's, which have a powered sub built in. I have tried lifting the grounds on all the equipment except one(and every conceivable variation,I think), I've tried plugging everything into a power strip and then that into just one outlet, I've even tried using other outlets(not dedicated). In the end, if I disconnect everything and just plug the speaker into the wall with no other connections I will get a hum thru the woofer only. I have even put a PS Audio P500 between the speaker and the outlet to see if it made any difference to the hum, but no luck. If I leave the speaker wires connected and turn on the main amp then I will hear hum thru all the speakers(tweeter/mid/woofer).

I called VS and spoke with Kevin and he said that the signal is split in the speaker before the sub amp which would suggest that the hum is coming from my electrical system rather than my equipment. IOW, if I heard hum only thru the woofer and not the other drivers when the main amp is connected then there could be a problem with the sub amp, but this is not the case.

My house is new and the electrical and grounding system seem to be in good shape. I have checked every outlet I could find with a polarity/ground checker and did not find any problems. My panel is grounded both to the water line and a spiral rod buried next to the house. According to the builder these are acceptable to code here in Austin, Tx.

The only thing that seems odd is that when my A/C turns on, and sometimes my TV, the lights will dim for a second. I had the builder double check all the connections and made sure the proper gauge of wire etc. was used to hook up the A/C, but nothing seems to be wrong. Is it perhaps the Transformer on the pole outside? It's definitely old as it looks a bit rusty up there(new house - old neighborhood).

The hum is not particularily loud, but i can here from my listening position 10 feet away when no music is playing. I appreciate any help you may have to offer, and I'll answer as many questions as you have because I'd really like to solve this.

Thanks,
Matt
mab33

Showing 4 responses by nsgarch

nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Lift the ground pin (using a "cheater " plug) on all 3-prong power cords except the preamp. That should get rid of the hum.

Then remove the cheater plugs one by one until the hum returns. That's the one giving you the ground loop.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
If you plugged everything into one oulet, you have ground loops galore!! You may not have a ground loop thru the in-wall ground wire(s) but so what? Trace the path: from AC ground to component to interconnects to next component and back to AC ground, and so on and so on and so on with each source component thru the preamp thru the amp and thru any powered speakers/subs.

Lift all ground plugs except the preamp so you have a single path from all equipment back to ground.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Matt, a lot of subs have a very faint 60 cycle hum/buzz when plugged in alone with no other connections. Something in those class D amps they use. You might want to check with the manufacturer though.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
A heavy duty starter kit is a good thing to have on your A/C anyway (though I don't think it will solve your noise problem) It's an especially good thing to have if you've got children who play with the thermostat!
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