Safe to use cheater plug on CD player??


I hope you guys don't mind me copying and pasting from Audioasylum, where I already has posted this. But it just was a lot to type over again. Here it goes.

"Well as some of you suggested, I tried finding a ground issue within my setup that was cauzing the dreaded hum. It is strange to note that this amp always has a slight buzz, even with no components or speakers hooked up through it. I used to use a Arcam CD72T that did not add any noise to my system when plugged in, or turned on. I remember trying to use a cheater plug on the cdp, and tried switching the cheater to the amp. No change in the buzz.

So 2 weeks ago I upgraded to the Primare D20, which I love! Well this player adds tons of noise when it is turned on out of standbye. So today I put a cheater on the player's power cable. And voila, no hum. hmm. I still have a very very slight buzz, but that was the way the amp always has been, and it can only be heard about 3 inches away from the speaker.

My question is this; Will using the cheater plug on the cd player's Cardas power cable degrade sound a lot? And is this a dangerous move? I mean, I thought using a cheater on the cd player is a lot better for sound and safety than using it on the amp. It seems that even if sound is degraded, getting rid of vey loud and constant hum would be a greater benefit."
rtilbury
No, using a cheater plug on your CD player will not hurt anything (IMO). The manual to my Sony scd-1 states you may need to use one and they provided one with the player. PS Audio makes power cords with removable ground pins as do others. Of course others will debate this......so be it.

Chuck
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I use a cheater plug on my entire A/V system because of hum when CATV is connected. However, my outlet is a GFI so I am safe from electrical hazard.
If you are absolutely sure that the CD player is inducing the hum in your system and you know a cheater plug resolves the issue, you might want to consider removing the ground plug from your hi-end cable. Of course, it will ruin the resell value of the cable, but it will be a better physical connection than you have with the cheater plug installed.

You might also want to consider retermination the power cord with a plug that is two prong or has a removable ground pin. Or you could always sell the current PC and buy one that is terminated with a two pin plug or has a removable ground pin.

Enjoy,

TIC
Check out Ebtech for their device which breaks ground loops without the safety issues.
RTilbury - electrical grounds are required on consumer electral goods as a safety measure. Should you have the cover off of your amplifier and accidentally spill a liquid into teh amp, reach in with a towel, the ground will protect you from getting electrocuted. Since this is a highly unlikely scenario, I would disconnect the ground off of the AC duplex outlet that your amp and cd player are connected to and enjoy the hum-free music. You can always re-connect later if you move or move the system. That way you don't make any permenant changes and just get to enjoy the quiet!
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