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Got Static?

All:

I am completely vexed and need some suggestions....

The problem: I am hearing occasional "ticks" which I believe are associated with static buildup in my system. The "ticks" occur randomly, roughly one to three times during the playback of a CD. I hear them during vinyl playback as well but it is sometimes hard to distinguish them from surface tics or pops. These "ticks" can sometimes be heard when the system is idling with the mute button disengaged--when the mute is "on" they cannot be heard. The frequency of the "ticks" appears to increase as the humidity level drops--the colder and dryer it is the more of them I hear. Thus, the problem is less of an issue in the summer (unless running the AC) and is pretty darn annoying in the winter. Sometimes, when I touch my gear I receive a small shock which is translated by the speakers. I have tried to ground my rack but this has not helped. Believing it may be a grounding issue I have also tried cheater plugs on my CD player and/or linestage--no change. The funny thing is I have been at this for 25+ years (with many different system configurations) and this issue has never been a problem until the last year or so--can't figure out why it has become one now.

Any ideas about WHAT is causing this and HOW to stop it? Anyone else have this issue?
dodgealum

Showing 1 response by b_limo

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b_limo
2,271 posts
 
I started a thread about this last year (maybe the year before, not sure). I too have crazy static problems here in Colorado. I couldn't figure out how to battle it. I tried everything. I'd get audible pops sometimes just walking across the room. All my cables were off the ground, I tried fabric softener, I tried humidifiers, I checked my ground, I lit candles and danced around the room and offered sacrifices to the static gods... Nothing worked.

Soooo, I put a coin next to the light switch and hold it in my hand whenever I ground myself on a screw under the light switch.

By brother lost two preamps last winter due to static in his home. The summer before his house got struck by lightning and he lost his whole stereo in addition to his stove and many other electrical items.

Static is a drag...
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