Headphone Heights

RE: SET headphone amp without hum?

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This Post Has Been Edited by the Author

In Reply to: RE: SET headphone amp without hum? posted by aarocks on August 07, 2016 at 10:15:02

Some amps have a reputation for being "noisy" and/or more sensitive to ground loop issues than others. Humming can also be cause by things like internal wires or parts that are loosely attached.

A few years back and seemingly out of nowhere, my tube phono preamp developed a hum. When I opened up the case and discovered that one of the input cable terminal nuts had loosened up. After I untwisted the wire and tightened the internal nut, the hum disappeared. Another time, I discovered that the phono section in an integrated amp that I had bought on the used market had a terrible hum. When I looked inside and noticed that the internal ground wire attachment was painted metal rather than bare metal. After I scraped the black paint residue away and re-tightened the terminal nut, no more hum...

So, sometimes it's worth opening up the case and checking things out. Or if the amp is new and/or still under warranty, consider sending it back for a checkup.

If all else fails try contacting the manufacturer for advice on how to deal with hums and/or ground loop issues.

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