Monster Regret!!

Actually connecting to different outlets is a text-book definition of the cause of a ground loop, and much of what you described is not or at least cannot be called specifically a ground loop.

A ground loop is by definition having multiple paths for ground currents to flow such that the reference ground voltage is not the same between pieces of equipment and when that ground is used for a signal reference, that can lead to line-frequency hum, or signal injection due to ground injection from power supply transients, etc.

There are always multiple points of ground connection, i.e. interconnects, and where the AC grounds connect together. It is better to have those ground connect together as close as possible for all equipment, not back at the junction box 50 feet away.

A point of clarification, Ground Loops are not caused by connecting to different outlets. Ground loops are caused (mostly) by poorly designed/constructed equipment that do no incorporate proper grounding techniques. Lack of proper cable shielding, etc. If outlets are connected properly and to code, then the home grounding schemes are correct. Sometimes outlets and boxes are not grounded properly. That is a different issue.

This is an oft told, and rarely justified statement. Most quality amplifiers use inductive and other filtering means on the input to smooth out the rectified power peaks which happen only for brief periods of time on a linear power supply 100 or 120 times per second. Direct to the wall give you more top end, but it does not provide anything else in the way of sonic improvement and may be a detriment as usually the most critical thing is all your equipment sharing the exact same ground.

Older power conditioners or glorified surge protectors may help things sound "cleaner," but they also usually mute dynamics, imaging, air, depth, and decay because they ruin the low-impedance-output-to-high impedance-input relationship you want as the signal moves along it’s path.

Little is worse than having equipment connected to different outlets, dedicated or not. That's called a ground loop, and to that you can add ground level pumping (from your power amp). Yes XLR can eliminate much of that, but why cause a problem that needs to be fixed?
The AVS 2000 was a well rated product. Odds are you are better with it than without it, even for your amplifier. Don't go in with preconceived notions that you will lose dynamics, etc.   Just listen.

robert_1, I remember when Monster tried to pull that trick on a company, not knowing its owner was a lawyer. He publicly posted his reply letter and I think he may have even offered assistance to others. It was rather comical.

You can do an 8 gang outlet, power bars can have 12. All share the same ground connection. You have only illustrated ground hum in your thread, not differential ground induced noise pumping.


The definition of a ground loop is having two point identified as ground that are not at the same potential that are used for signal references. I did not say that multiple outlets is the only cause of ground loops but it if a textbook example of how to create one. Most equipment signal grounds are isolated enough from power grounds that a differential is usually "shorted" via the interconnect.