[IWalker182]

I just recieved a prehead in the mail, and plugged it into my reciever's preamp-outs ...and got a loud buzz. I've switched out the interconnects and have used a cmoy on the far end of the current setup with no problems. So...now, I'm betting that my power cord is the issue, as I just used a standard computer cable to hook it up...as I didn't realize I needed to get one...so didn't plan ahead. Anyone here have one and have any suggestions for other things it might be, or ways to fix the way it currently is. I could tell through the buzz that this is going to sound awesome...but I want to fix it ASAP. Any help?

 

[braillediver]

The power cord should be adequate for now.

The prehead should be plugged into the tape outputs of your reciever. That way it gets a line level signal not influenced by the recievers volume setting.

Ground loop anyone? Would be the next option.

Good luck

Mitch

 

[Sovkiller]

I vote for the ground loop, try a "cheater" plug is a very cheap and effective way of determine if it is in fact the problem....if it is, you have to work later in breaking it, or live with the cheater plug all the time, I did with my MGHead....

 

[IWalker182]

er...where would I go about getting a cheater plug? or how would I make one?

Thanks,
Ian

 

[dd3mon]

Quote:

Originally posted by IWalker182 er...where would I go about getting a cheater plug? or how would I make one? Thanks, Ian

cheater plugs can be found at radio-shack, one (fairly) easily be made by clipping the ground prong off an extention cord (or even better, find an old extention cord with no ground plug at all).

-dd3mon

 

[Sovkiller]

A cheater plug in nothing else than those adapters or plugs made to connect the three legs AC connectors of the computer, or audio cables, or the like......into a just two legs outlet, is a very common item in warehouses, home depot, even in the 99 cents stores you can get one...is just 1.00 or so, and it will let you know if this is the problem or not

 

[braillediver]

If the computer power cord you have now is disposable just cut the ground prong off. It's the lower round one by its self.

Make sure it's unplugged first.

Mitch


l l
o

 

[lini]

IWalker182: Sounds like a grounding problem. First thing to try: If a house antenna is connected to the receiver (or maybe to a vcr that's connected to the receiver), remove it - if the buzzing is gone, all you need is a simple antenna filter (called Mantelstromfilter over here, ~ 15 Euro). Another thing you could try (at least if possible with your local power sockets and plugs): Reconnect each power plug in the system the other way round (turned 180°) one after another - that can help, too. If that doesn't help, cheater plugs may - or something is damaged...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[Sovkiller]

Quote:

Originally posted by lini IWalker182: Sounds like a grounding problem. First thing to try: If a house antenna is connected to the receiver (or maybe to a vcr that's connected to the receiver), remove it - if the buzzing is gone, all you need is a simple antenna filter (called Mantelstromfilter over here, ~ 15 Euro). Another thing you could try (at least if possible with your local power sockets and plugs): Reconnect each power plug in the system the other way round (turned 180°) one after another - that can help, too. If that doesn't help, cheater plugs may - or something is damaged... Greetings from Munich! Manfred / lini

This work in Europe but not in US (120V), we have three legs plugs, no way of connecting them upside down, where to connect the third leg, over this the other two are not of the same size, one is wider than the other, just to prevent this....so the cheater plug is the way to go to break the ground loop, at least when hirsch suggested me that, it was magic....

 

[lini]

Sovkiller: I know, but as the location wasn't mentioned so far, I wanted to mention the potential posibility.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[Sovkiller]

Well lini, and sorry for my answer, and the fact is that actually, I'm "assuming" he (or she) lives in the states, so far I don't know for sure where the hell he (or she) was located, anyway what matters and what makes this community so great, is that all of us were trying to help this guy out, so two thumbs up for us anyway!!!!!

 

[lini]

No need to be sorry, anyway - as I probably should have mentioned, that it wouldn't work in the US, in the first place... Thus your addendum was completely justified and possibly helpful. And, yeah, thumbs up for helpful and friendly people on Head-Fi in general!

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[markl]

Erm, why not remove the receiver from the signal path altogether and plug your source's RCAs directly into the PreHead? You've purchased a very nice (not cheap) amp, it's a shame to put the receiver in the way. The Prehead can now only sound as good as your receiver (which may be a very good receiver for all I know, but still...

)

 

[Sovkiller]

Maybe he need to feed some spekers with it, and with the prehead alone he can't do it, not everybody have only a headphone system, but what he can do, is plug it at the loop out of the Prehead if any....

 

[Jan Meier]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to let you know that the PREHEAD has a build-in groundloop-breaker. As such it will not help to use a cheater plug.

I agree that a groundloop is the most likely cause of hum, but it must be located somewhere else in the chain.

As Lini correctly stated, most of the time it's the connection to a house antenna.

I have been contacted by Ian and hopefully we will be able to find a solution.

Cheers,

Jan