Low buzzing through speaks
Hello All,
Need some serious help here. So I just (upgraded?) from a Marantz AV8802A to a McIntosh MX122 preamp. I also just got brand new Revel Performa3 speaks all around (5 channel setup). I disconnect everything from the Marantz and then into the McIntosh, connect the speaks and I have a faint buzzing through all 5 speakers (that was not there previously). I have everything plugged into a Furman Elite 20pfi power conditioner which is plugged into a dedicated 20 amp circuit. My power amp is a Simaudio Titan HT200 5 channel. This is not going through the Furman but directly into the other outlet on the same 20 amp line. I even tried plugging the Sim amp into the Furman to see if that helped-no change faint buzz is still there. I have unplugged just about everything, and the buzz is still there. It is very faint and does not get louder when I turn up the volume. Again it is faint and you have to put your ear up to the speaks to hear but it is definitely there. I have tried so many things and nothing gets rid of it. It is not my cable box (I did have that issue previously with the Marantz but as soon as I unplugged the coax from the box it went away so I just bought a coax loop eliminator connected the cable to that and noise was all gone) as I unplugged that and started there.
Any help would be so sincerely appreciated????
Back in my radio days we designed a very nice control room. Then the engineer laid all the mic lines on top of the data lines. I was the only person who could hear the problem, therefore it didn't exist. I'd try a trial separation, or, if it's not a big deal, unhook everything, add back a line at a time. It's a great opportunity to dust & polish also. |
Great replies @tkhill @strawj! I used the opportunity when I relocated a few things when I introduced the McIntosh to clean and dust-another great call on this thread! You guys truly are awesome! And my Hum-X will arrive Thursday so tomorrow I try plugging the McIntosh into a separate outlet direct and see if that makes the buzz go away. Next step if that doesn’t work is to unplug everything 1 at a time from my Furman Elite. Then plug everything back one at a time to see if it in fact maybe isn’t the McIntosh. But I have already unplugged several components including the 2 subs and the cable box and that didn’t change anything. So I’ll go all the way in tomorrow.
I did disconnect all my XLR IC’s from the Titan amp and there was no buzz so I know it’s not the power amp. My IC’s are all Transparent Plus so I know they’re solid. I really am almost convinced it’s the McIntosh but we’ll dig a bit more tomorrow…
Thank you all once again for supporting and going on this journey with me👍🏻! |
@wanganui Thank you very helpful! nI just tried my last resort-the Hum-X and nothing! Buzz/hum still there...
Try another you mean other than McIntosh? Are they all prone to this? |
The first step is to determine what type of buzz you are hearing: Is it ground, DC, or just the Mac itself. If the buzz is in the speakers or subwoofers, it is usually some type of ground issue. You should check the outlet with a polarity tester to make the sure there is a proper ground: Next disconnect the modem/router if hard wired. If the buzz is still there, the you can disconnect the mac and see if it goes away: If it is ground issue, a ground loop isolator will usually work, most conditioners do nothing for ground or DC issues from my experience. Also, from my experience in install and sales, most issues are the equipment picking up something either electrical or in the ISP and then passing it through the speakers. So if you send the unit in for service, there is high probability of a no problem found diagnosis. |
