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Help - I've Got the Dreaded Transformer Growl....

I'm on week 3 with my new office amplifier - Hegel H590 integrated amplifier driving KEF Reference 1's. Absolutely killer thus far. Dynamic, powerful, detailed, smooth and dead quiet at the speaker. One problem - the amp sometimes produces a buzz/hum at the amplifier. It's typically dead quiet during the evening/weekends but buzzes during the day. The Hegel is dead silent at the dealer so he’s telling me that I either have DC on the line or excessive harmonic distortion on the power line. The dealer says that it’s time to go for a power conditioner.

I’m considering the following power conditioners:

1. Audioquest Niagra
2. Shunyata Hydra or Denali
3. Torus RM 20
4. PS Audio P15 or P20

Does anyone have experience with transformer buzzing caused by DC on the line and did the power conditioner properly address the issue? Also wondering if I should first try the Emotiva CMX-2 AC line filter with DC offset eliminator. A very cheap option at $129. Anyone tried one and did it work and/or degrade your system sound?

Thanks for your help!Ken
keoliphant
erik_squires
15,657 posts
 
It's really just two choices. DC blocker or balanced power conditioner.

I prefer Furman for all things conditioning, because I knwo their filters so well.

Best,
E
keoliphant OP
86 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. I went ahead with the cheap option first - purchased the Emotiva CMX-2 AC line filter with DC offset eliminator ($129). Fingers crossed it does the trick. If that doesn't work, I'll either (1)  look at the Furman power conditioners or (2) become a vampire and only work in the evenings and wee hours of the night when no amplifier buzz is occurring!

I'll let you know.
oldears
385 posts
 
I'll submit a 3rd choice. If it has a toroidial transformer, see if you can find a technician to reorient the transformer to a minimum noise position.
keoliphant OP
86 posts
 
Back to the drawing board. The Emotiva CMX-2 didn't help at all so it's being returned tomorrow.

@cytocycle - can you send a link for the Transparent Reference PIMM 2? I'm not seeing anything by that name when I do a web search.

@erik_squires - since the DC blocker was a no go, think i simply have  dirty power? Do you have a preferred Furman model for power conditioning? My system's at the office. Early morning & late night equals dead quiet. People start showing up, the transformer starts to buzz. 

@oldears - Interesting suggestion. I don't want to modify the amp as it's brand new plus I don't want to void the warranty.
erik_squires
15,657 posts
 
It is really weird the DC blocker didn't help. It could be you just have some weird transformer resonance which is better fixed mechanically.

The two key features for Furman's are LiFT and SMP. Combined they are the most cost effective noise reduction I know of. Fortunately, this comes in relatively inexpensive models.


https://amzn.to/2TzW7q1

Otherwise, advanced models add power regulation, and even balanced power for lots of $$$ though, as well as being more rack friendly.
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