lmf22
1000+ Head-Fier
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- Oct 16, 2006
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I have a ground loop hum/buzz problem with my PS Audio GCPH phono preamp, and wondering what I can do to solve it. I've isolated the problem to the GCPH by doing the following experiment:
1. Unplugged everything from my integrated amp, except the headphone amp which is connected to its Tape Out. (No buzzing)
2. Plugged in the Rega DAC into integrated amp. (No buzzing)
3. Plugged in radio tuner into integrated amp. (No buzzing)
4. Plugged in phono preamp into integrated amp. (Buzzing starts)
5. Plugged in turntable into phono preamp. (No changes from step 4; buzzing)
6. Used a cheater-plug (3-prong to 2-prong adapter) on the phono preamp. (No buzzing). This solves the problem but I am afraid that using a cheater plug might be unsafe. Also, having a $1 cheater plug on a $50 power cable doesn't make much sense.
There's buzzing even when the GCPH is not on; simply connecting the signal cables and power cable will produce the buzzing. The buzzing gets louder as the volume control of my amps.
All my audio components are connected to the Elite 15 PFi power conditioner (also tried the APC S15) and there are no other things connected to the outlet where power conditioner is connected to. All of my components have 3-prong electrical plugs except the turntable, headphone amp, and radio tuner.
I've also tried connecting the ground nut in the back of the GCPH to the ground nut on the back of the APC S15. Funny thing is when I do that there's a buzzing even when the power cable is NOT connected.
Any help would be much appreciated.
1. Unplugged everything from my integrated amp, except the headphone amp which is connected to its Tape Out. (No buzzing)
2. Plugged in the Rega DAC into integrated amp. (No buzzing)
3. Plugged in radio tuner into integrated amp. (No buzzing)
4. Plugged in phono preamp into integrated amp. (Buzzing starts)
5. Plugged in turntable into phono preamp. (No changes from step 4; buzzing)
6. Used a cheater-plug (3-prong to 2-prong adapter) on the phono preamp. (No buzzing). This solves the problem but I am afraid that using a cheater plug might be unsafe. Also, having a $1 cheater plug on a $50 power cable doesn't make much sense.
There's buzzing even when the GCPH is not on; simply connecting the signal cables and power cable will produce the buzzing. The buzzing gets louder as the volume control of my amps.
All my audio components are connected to the Elite 15 PFi power conditioner (also tried the APC S15) and there are no other things connected to the outlet where power conditioner is connected to. All of my components have 3-prong electrical plugs except the turntable, headphone amp, and radio tuner.
I've also tried connecting the ground nut in the back of the GCPH to the ground nut on the back of the APC S15. Funny thing is when I do that there's a buzzing even when the power cable is NOT connected.
Any help would be much appreciated.