2. tech-talk
  3. 173722-160081

Static electricity affecting sound reproduction. Please help!!

Hi everyone,

I’m having some weird issues with static electricity in my audio setup and I would appreciate your thoughts and tips before something gets fried.

For context, humidity where I live is currently around 38 – 41% which is not too bad. My couch produces a significant amount of static electricity so whenever I have a listening session, I’m sure I will shock myself whenever I get up and touch something metallic.

My current set up consists of almost all-schiit components:

Bifrost 2 DAC, Audiolab 6000 cd transport, Freya S preamp, Mani phono preamp, Loki mini eq, Asgard 3 headphone amp and Vidar amp, all going to a Furman M-8X2 power strip/conditioner and into a grounded (as of yesterday) outlet. My outputs are Elac DBR62 speakers and I also have a set of Sennheiser HD600 and Hifiman Sundara headphones.

Now, to the issue. Curiously, I started noticing this since I incorporated the Audiolab cd transport and the Furman power strip about 3 weeks ago.

Previous issue: While being charged up with static electricity, whenever I touched any of the components, a spark would fly and a light shock would happen. All regular stuff and this didn’t have any impact on music playback. Previously all my components were plugged into a cheap, basic power strip to an ungrounded outlet.

Current issue: Since adding the cd transport and the Furman power conditioner (I’m not saying any of these two components are at fault at this point, but I noticed this issue since incorporating them), whenever I touch any of the components while charged with static, the music is interrupted for a microsecond and then comes back. For those of you familiar with the Schiit Bifrost 2 DAC, whenever there’s an interruption or change in the data stream being fed, there’s audible clicks which are normal. In my current situation, the interruption of the music when the static shock occurs is accompanied of a couple of quick clicks from the Bifrost and then the music continues without issue. Now, what is REALLY strange to me is that this issue is amplified -no pun intended, when I’m listening through headphones where I don’t even need to touch any of the components or any metallic surface for the music to be interrupted. I assume the static is traveling from my body through the headphones into my system somehow. By the way, this happens with both the HD600 (all plastic body) and the Sundaras (metal frame). It even comes to the point with the Sundaras where I can audibly hear the static "trapped" in the headphones when I discharge in the way of a high pitch until I touch the headphone cable if it makes any sense.

While I could dig deeper into the issue to try to isolate what’s happening, I have a few questions I would appreciate your input with before doing anything. My fear at this point is that the constant discharge of static electricity could damage some of the components If I try to isolate the fault through further testing and replication of the issue given that there is now a direct negative effect in the sound playback with a physical reaction in the form of clicks from the DAC. My questions are:

  • If the outlet where I’m plugging the Furman into is grounded, should/could the static discharge be still causing this reaction?
  • Would it be worth trying to isolate the issue with the potential risk of damaging something or should I just live with it and look for alternatives such as a humidifier to decrease static buildup, stop listening with headphones, using another device or contraption to discharge myself constantly, etc?
  • Is it “normal” for the static to be discharged through the headphones into the system even with the HD600 which are all plastic?

Thank you in advance for your comments, feedback and input. In the end, I just want to be able to sit down, enjoy the music without constantly worrying about frying something up.

 

128x128tarkus1984
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 

Sounds like the first thing to do is disconnect the ground (the one you just added) and see if it goes away. The extra ground gains you nothing, and might even be the source of your problems. Only one way to find out.

Then even if this works, the truth is static electricity is a problem for everyone. We all have it, only most don't ever have it so bad or take the steps to notice. Long before static charges build up to the point where they jump across open air they are there on your cables and components contributing to smearing and gray backgrounds that should be black.

The easiest cheapest way to test this is buy Static Guard anti-static laundry spray from the grocery store. Any anti-static spray will do. I waft mine over my cables and stuff regularly. In your case I would do the sofa and carpet as well. This should make at least some improvement, and might eliminate the problem altogether. 

Another maybe even better solution, I haven't had to try this mine is handled just fine by Static Guard, but there are concentrated solutions you can buy for more longer term use. Sort of like Scotch Guard for fabric. Designed to be sprayed on office furniture to eliminate zapping the computer. 

Which that is another option, something grounded you can touch to discharge yourself before touching your gear.

Bear in mind you said a couple weeks ago. Running heaters in winter dries things out. It could simply be this is the amount of time it took for your home to reach optimal static charge conditions. Stuff you did might be pure coincidence. 

 

Ag insider logo xs@2x
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 

You need a little humidity. Hose the inside of the room down. That will work. :-)

Boil some water, get a humidifier. Turn off the air conditioner.

It's way to dry.

Second get a static discharge mat to stand on and a small one to discharge to. Then touch your gear. 

Will it hurt your gear? Static discharge is the number one reason for infant mortality in electronics. There is not a chip that I know of, that can survive constant static discharges. 

Third. I HATE getting shocked. I mean I get anxious thinking about it. It's one of the reasons I got away from gas rigs. HEI ignition, to darn small and everything is sharp.

SO

There is no static discharge in my house on the driest, windiest days.. Besides, vinyl people usually have a way to LOOSE the static. I just touch the ground on the phono stage with the back (not the front) of my fingers.

WHY? the back? The muscles can contract you can't let go while being shocked. Always the back of your hand and the other in your pocket. 1 second of thought can eliminate getting shocked real bad if you practice it every single time. Hot is Hot. Hot surfaces the same way. The back of the hand, is way less sensitive.

Unless you're into that.  I'll pass. BUT if you would, could you post a video of you doing it. :-)

Regards

tarkus1984's avatar
tarkus1984 OP
9 posts
 

@millercarbon 

Thanks so much for your input. I will definitely buy one of those anti static solutions and soak the sofa! I also bought a set of metallic keychains I found on amazon that are supposed to help with static. It even has a small plastic window with a wire that lights up when you actually discharge. 

@oldhvymec 

I also hate hate hate hate getting zapped. I just finished a round of further testing and I absolutely loathed every single time I had to charge up and discharge. I HATE IT

In any case, I did some further testing and the culprit seems to be one of the following three:

  • Coaxial out of the cd transport
  • Coaxial in of the DAC
  • Coaxial cable (my personal bet)

I tried multiple zappings and the only one that has an effect on music playback is when the cd transport is active through coax and when the coax input option is selected in the DAC. I even used both the coax ins and outs of the cd transport and DAC and the same time and music only gets interrupted when the coaxial connection is active. Using my little chromecast audio through optical into the DAC showed no problem when I zapped the system so it's definitely something with the coaxial. 

For what it's worth, I'm using a Blue Jeans coax cable that I bought after reading positive feedback so I will have to buy another by a different brand to see if it does the same.

Will keep this thread updated with findings.

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,360 posts
 

I always walk over to my rig and touch the metal posts on my rack before I touch any gear. I permanently smoked an expensive power guard (Monster brand) with a static charge one day, not good.  

cissado
113 posts
 

I agree, your humidity levels are too low. Get a whole house humidifier. A few percentage points higher will do wonders for your comfort levels. You will certainly feel a difference.  

More to discover