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Has anybody never been able to solve a hum static problem with a phono pre amp?

I have had for years now a hum/static problem with my phono pre amp. I have not been able to listen to analog for too long a time. Let us just say for years. I have localized it to the phono pre amp when it is just attached to the pre amp and amps. Nothing to do with the head amp and turntable. I have tried 3 different models and it is the same problem. I have tried every single piece of info I have found on  audiogon and the internet. Cheater plugs, giving it its own socket, grounding it to every piece of equipment, moving it away from system, moving router, making sure connectors are shielded... I have even had two turntable experts from the NY tri state metro area come over and they cannot figure it out. This was not the case when I got it initially. It was dead quiet. But I changed my setup from a Toshiba black box to a flat screen TV and that’s when the problem started. That’s how long it has been. But to be honest I had that black box long after people had switched to flat screens. TV wasn’t that important to me. I sometimes think at the same time somebody in my apartment building or surrounding dense city area put up an antenna and it is causing interference about which I can do nothing. As I said I live in a large apartment building so I cannot rewire.

Has anybody else not been able to resolve this problem and had to give up on analog? Digital is perfect. It is so unfortunate because vinyl has an intoxicating compelling sound like nothing else.

roxy1927
roxy1927 OP
171 posts
 

60hz passive ground loop filter for around $20

 

Maybe should try this on Allnic head amp.

boxcarman
578 posts
 

I had this same problem.  I solved it by removing it from my system and getting a new one.  Seriously, it is usually a grounding problem somewhere, or a tube.

lewm
14,669 posts
 

But you don’t just have hum, correct ? You’re also hearing broadcasts in the background. I wouldn’t blame the Allnic necessarily. It may be acting as a receiver rather than as a source. Are you saying that prior to now the Allnic was not in use?

oldaudiophile
384 posts
 

@roxy1927 So happy to read that you have largely solved the problem!  I, also, much prefer good clean vinyl over digital and would be hard pressed to give that up.

I have no idea if this will help in any way.  However, I also was perplexed by a slight hum in my two-channel system incorporating a TT and integrated amp.  The hum could only be heard at high gain using the TT and was completely absent when using a CD player.  I rearranged all my components on my rack such that the amp (i.e.  its power supply) was located as far away from the TT as possible (i.e.  approximately 3 feet).  That did not resolve the problem.  This was ultimately resolved quite by accident when I cancelled my DIRECTV subscription and got rid of the two DIRECTV satellite receivers that I had placed on my rack.  The hum issue totally disappeared, even at high gain levels.  I have an LG flatscreen right behind the stereo rack.  So, seems clear to me that the problem was related to the DIRECTV satellite receivers.  Maybe cable TV external boxes or receivers present the same problems?  No clue.

erik_squires
17,543 posts
 

If you are in a densely populated apartment you may be picking up Wifi noise.  If you use a Wifi analyzer, free for every portable phone, you will discover dozens of Wifi signals.  If your TV is hooked up via Wifi it too can be an issue. 

So, make sure you use fully shielded interconnect cables, and if this problem is related to the TV being plugged in or not, try using an Ethernet cable instead of Wifi for it.  Also keep Wifi routers, streamers away from your phono preamp. 

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