2. amps-preamps
  3. 1133926640

I'm SHOCKED literally .

I put a couple of new components in, and generally shuffled things around in my system last night - and after listening for a couple of hours today - got SERIOUSLY zapped (it was audible) as I touched the Volume knob on the preamp to turn it down. There was some kind of charge build up, and it took a while to drain it all down - I had to (gingerly) touch the knob a couple more times and then hold it until the charge was drained off. My finger still hurts!

This has never happened before - so it's not static from my rug or something. I'll be doing some careful testing tonight, but in the meantime - Any ideas what could cause this???

Possible explanatory variables:

---The "new" items were the preamp (tube) itself, the processor which connects through the Pre's Tape loop, and a Granite Audio power cord with toroidal noise filters at each end connecting the Pre to a surge protector (temporarily). The surge protector has been in use elsewhere with no trouble.

---The new processor is a two prong plug - Polarity?

Tonight I will try running a couple of hours with the processor unplugged and the Tape Monitor OFF to see if I have the same problem. Or if any other equipment has the charge buildup.

Any ideas? Is there a plausible explanation without there being an actual equipment problem?

opalchip
phd
1,280 posts
 
It has happened to me as well. It turned out to be static electricity & that some clothing I was wearing did not get a sheet of fabric softner when the clothes were dried, as silly as that sounds.
schipo
1,268 posts
 
Do you have a rug in your listening room? Where do you live climate wise, is it dry,or humid important questions to ask yourself. If your room is very dry try a good humidifier. They are very silent and will add moisture to your room. If the problem continues than remove the rug if you have one.I can not answer the question about some equipment holding static charge more than other's, I will leave that to others to answer.
chriskeating
189 posts
 
Are you absoluteloy sure it is not a static charge?
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
In the past I got such a shock from my amp. In my case it was because the amp wasn't grounded, a cheater plug/ adaptor was in place. When it's windy and dry I still get mini shocks;and don't use those cheater adaptors. I live in Southern Ca.
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