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Author Topic: Can anyone help me diagnose an amp noise problem?  (Read 1136 times)

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Sphinxvc

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Can anyone help me diagnose an amp noise problem?
« on: February 20, 2013, 02:05:36 AM »

My amp(s) will sometimes exhibit an internal noise periodically.  The pattern is random.  The noise generates from inside the amp and not the speakers.  It sounds like a short buzz that arcs louder and then dissipates. Both a wall outlet and a surge protector (plugged into the same outlet) have been tried and the noise still occurs (I first thought it might be the surge protector).  This has happened with 2 different amps so far, same noise.  I haven't tried a different outlet yet but will soon.  Thoughts? 

Thx for any time you spend thinking about this.
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dBel84

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Re: Can anyone help me diagnose an amp noise problem?
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2013, 02:36:29 AM »

Unless both amps have the same problem, I would consider looking at how much variation you see in the line voltage , you might be better off getting an autotransformer from the outlet to your amp  - this will regulate the output voltage to your amps .

only way I could think of checking this would be to use an autoranging multimeter with a high memory function - this would capture the peak voltage. Really difficult to address a problem in 2 different amps , especially if the same problem occurs. Unless of course they are identical amps and both are faulty :)

..dB
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Anaxilus.

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Re: Can anyone help me diagnose an amp noise problem?
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2013, 02:38:27 AM »

Internal as you hear it from outside the amp w/o music, speakers or phones on?

I was gonna say transformer but you tried two different amps.  Move to a different spot or even another room and see if it happens still.  Then go from there. 
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Solderdude

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Re: Can anyone help me diagnose an amp noise problem?
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2013, 06:10:27 AM »

Is it always around the same time (evening and morning) ?

It is possible the tones that are used to switch from day to evening power or used to switch on/off streetlighting is audible in transformers.
It usually consists of a burst of tone(s) with or without an interval and changing frequency or not.
Some transformers make those tones audible but they should not be audible in the music unless common mode rejection of the mains is 'off' for some reason.
Harmless but annoying.
Since the tones used are in the audible range (between 200 and 500Hz) they are impossible to filter out.

perhaps I am barking up the wrong tree and it does depend on the electricity grid and local circumstances.
« Last Edit: February 20, 2013, 07:47:42 AM by Solderdude »
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dBel84

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Re: Can anyone help me diagnose an amp noise problem?
« Reply #4 on: February 20, 2013, 02:44:50 PM »

I just remembered a funny story - the tones brought it to mind. A friend owned a tube amp which must have had just the right combination of trace length to make it a perfect antennae to pick up a local radio broadcast. You could actually hear it playing through the transformers - not funny for him naturally..dB
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fishski13

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Re: Can anyone help me diagnose an amp noise problem?
« Reply #5 on: February 20, 2013, 06:00:36 PM »

i used to get TX buzzing from a Naim amp only in the evening after 10pm.  Naim told me that DC riding on the house AC was the cause.
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Sphinxvc

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Re: Can anyone help me diagnose an amp noise problem?
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2013, 04:21:51 AM »

How often does the simplest and cheapest fix work?  I feel lucky. 

Ran a heavy duty extension from the outlet across the room and no noise, left the amp on for the past 12 hours testing.

Thanks for the attempts to help.
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