Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Where is the weak link?
#1150 01/25/02 02:04 AM
A
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
A
I just purchased a set of axioms, 80's, a 150, and M22's. I love the sound, however, my tweeters buzz like there are 200 bees inside them, even when the receiver is muted at -64 dB's. I am running a parasound 855A amp, with bettercable interconnects. I am using an HK AVR45 as a preamp. The speakers don't buzz when I run the wire directly to the receiver. Where am I going wrong here? I don't feel as though any of my components are exactly cheap... The speakers I was running before in the same exact configuration did not buzz like this.



Re: Where is the weak link?
#1151 01/25/02 11:19 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,387
Likes: 8
Ian Offline
President
connoisseur
Offline
President
connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,387
Likes: 8
If the speakers do not buzz when hooked to the receiver (assuming you used the same speaker wire to do this) then it is an electrical problem from the pre-amp to the main amp or the main amp itself. This sort of thing is almost always the interconnects but I must admit that would normally isolate the problem to just one channel (unlikely both interconnects have a problem). Another strong possibility is the pre amp and the main amp need to be isolated from each other. If you have one on top of the other currently, I would suggest separating them a bit and see if it affects the noise you are getting.

Ian Colquhoun
President & Chief Engineer


Ian Colquhoun
President & Chief Engineer
Re: Where is the weak link?
#1152 01/25/02 05:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 6
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 6
I think Ian is on the correct path. I have some questions:

1) When you connected the Axioms directly to the H/K, was the H/K configured to be both a Pre and Power amp?
2)If you have the HK (preamp) connected to the Parasound(amp) with the Axioms(speakers) attached to the Parasouns(amp) - you mention the buzz is there even with the preamp volume turned down?
3) are you connecting both old and new speakers with the same speaker cable?

I suspect that you have a problem with a ground. try this:
- leave the amp connected to the Axioms,
- disconnect the interconnects from the preamp, at the amp input, BOTH CHANNELS!
- check if the buzz is present.
This test should have No preamp, No interconnects, No source = only amp, speaker cables, speakers
What I suspect is a ground potential problem between the amp and preamp. As Ian mentions, an interconnect can cause this problem by "electrically connecting" the pre to amp via a cable conductor or shield. It would only take one interconnect in this situation to cause a ground loop that would be present on both channels.

If the amp and speakers do not make a noise, that is the problem.
If the amp and speakers DO make the noise (with no preamp, or source - amp to speakers only) I believe your amp could be the problem.

Regards,

BBIBH

Re: Where is the weak link?
#1153 01/31/02 02:18 AM
A
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
A
Well... I discovered that it is mostly caused from the satellite. When I unplug the coax most of the hum it eliminated. What little is left, I believe stems from a receiver with a 2 pronged power connection connected to an amp with a 3 pronged power connection. Unfortuneately, most of the filters being made today do not work with satellite because the satellite receives its power through the coax. I've placed a "cheater" plug on the amp to get rid of the ground prong and that seems to help. This of course isn't a permanent solution and I need to look into how my satellite system is grounded.



Re: Where is the weak link?
#1154 01/31/02 04:43 AM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 6
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 6
Hum is almost always ground related. There can be instances where ac or dc is affecting the sound, and I would suggest looking at the electrical outlets you have these plugged into as well. Are the polarities of the plug(s) correct? Are they on the same circuit breaker? If so, are they properly grounded electricaly? If not, are they proper connected at the electrical panel? It is not a mandate that each piece (cd, receiver, etc) have 3 prongs on the cord. It is required that the polarities be correct for the electrical outlet, especially if there are 2 prongs on a polarized plug.

Also, I would suggest anyone who is considering a serious system, HT or music to make sure the electrical cirsuits are properly installed. If you can have them installed, isolated circuits are definitely the way to go. Power bars and the like are really stop gap measures.

Regards,

BBIBH


Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,940
Posts442,457
Members15,616
Most Online2,082
Jan 22nd, 2020
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,840
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 386 guests, and 4 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4