Ground Hum & Ground Loop Isolators

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by repete66211

I experience a slight buzz from the sub, but not all the time. I haven't nailed down exactly when it's there and when it isn't, but I know I heard it when watching the Grapes of Wrath DVD (mono) and Kagemusha (listed as 2.0, but PS3 display read 4.0). I haven't tried unplugging any devices to isolate the source since the buzz doesn't occur frequently.

Could it possible the sub will buzz only when there's no LFE signal?

A normal sub that is not broken or malfunctioning should not make a buzzing noise.

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

A normal sub that is not broken or malfunctioning should not make a buzzing noise.

I've isolated the problem. The buzzing does not occur while watching stereo or surround sound [HD cable] TV. It only buzzes, and then only faintly, when the audio source is a movie on the PS3. Strange.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by repete66211

I've isolated the problem. The buzzing does not occur while watching stereo or surround sound [HD cable] TV. It only buzzes, and then only faintly, when the audio source is a movie on the PS3. Strange.

Try getting your PS3 power cable away from the other cables. Could be the interference is originating in the PS3.

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Try getting your PS3 power cable away from the other cables. Could be the interference is originating in the PS3.

Unfortunately that isn't possible with my current setup, at least not until the APC H15 goes on sale again and I can scrape enough cash together for a better entertainment center. As I have it now all power cords and speaker cables run out of a 2" hole in the back of my TV stand. I know, less than ideal.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by repete66211

Unfortunately that isn't possible with my current setup, at least not until the APC H15 goes on sale again and I can scrape enough cash together for a better entertainment center. As I have it now all power cords and speaker cables run out of a 2" hole in the back of my TV stand. I know, less than ideal.

Is there enough room in that hole to possibly "insulate" the PS3 cable and prevent the interference? Just throwing this idea out there...not even sure if it would work....but perhaps it could?

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

Is there enough room in that hole to possibly "insulate" the PS3 cable and prevent the interference? Just throwing this idea out there...not even sure if it would work....but perhaps it could?

No there isn't, but even if I did I would still have to plug it in right next to some other power cords. Or are you suggesting the PS3 power cord is interfering with the subwoofer cable? I hope not. (BTW, switching my Blue Jeans sub cable with my old Monster THX cable had no effect.) I suppose I could cut a larger hole in the back of the TV stand.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by repete66211

No there isn't, but even if I did I would still have to plug it in right next to some other power cords. Or are you suggesting the PS3 power cord is interfering with the subwoofer cable? I hope not. (BTW, switching my Blue Jeans sub cable with my old Monster THX cable had no effect.) I suppose I could cut a larger hole in the back of the TV stand.

Yes, I think it may be doing that, and if you could somehow minimize or eliminate the cables from physically touching, this may prove worthy.

[Fractoggen123]

Great post, a lot of stuff in here i did not know about

[VinnAY]

Originally Posted by repete66211

I've isolated the problem. The buzzing does not occur while watching stereo or surround sound [HD cable] TV. It only buzzes, and then only faintly, when the audio source is a movie on the PS3. Strange.

Cut off the roundy part of the power cord where it plugs into the wall/surge protector. Google "PS3 ground loop" and you'll find that that's the accepted cure for PS3 induced ground loops. Be warned that some folks will go "OMG you'll burn your house down" and others pay no mind to any percieved problem form floating the ground.
The stuff I've read on it was from Electricians and so forth, I've had mine configured that way for a year without incident.

The ground problem eminates from the PS3 having a grounded plug when none of the other electronics have that 3 prong style cord, they're all 2 prong. Hence a difference in grounding and the hum is induced at that point. In laymans terms.

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by VinnAY

Cut off the roundy part of the power cord where it plugs into the wall/surge protector. Google "PS3 ground loop" and you'll find that that's the accepted cure for PS3 induced ground loops. Be warned that some folks will go "OMG you'll burn your house down" and others pay no mind to any percieved problem form floating the ground.
The stuff I've read on it was from Electricians and so forth, I've had mine configured that way for a year without incident.

The ground problem eminates from the PS3 having a grounded plug when none of the other electronics have that 3 prong style cord, they're all 2 prong. Hence a difference in grounding and the hum is induced at that point. In laymans terms.

Thanks for the scoop! I'll see if a 3-prong to 2-prong adapter solves the problem.

P.S. Mods, sorry for the hijacking. Feel free to (re)move this.

[arrt vandelay]

i have just resolved my ground loop issue with a wonderful product from ebtech...the humx works beautifully! i had a very annoying hum with my new eD a2-300 sub, a 3 prong to 2 prong adapter worked as well, but is not safe. i can highly recommend the humx!

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by arrt vandelay

i have just resolved my ground loop issue with a wonderful product from ebtech...the humx works beautifully! i had a very annoying hum with my new eD a2-300 sub, a 3 prong to 2 prong adapter worked as well, but is not safe. i can highly recommend the humx!

Ebtech HumX is one of the products I recommended in Post #1. The market price is around $60.

[FreddieFerric]

I need some help. I just connected an outboard tube pre-amp to my audio system. The instructions that came with the pre indicates that to some extent all tubes produce some degree of hum. I connected the turntable ground wire to the ground post on my panamax and in that setup it hummed quite loudly. I next connected the ground wire to my Marantz amp's ground post. The hum was much diminished, but still quite noticeable. Last, I connected the ground wire to the ground post on the preamp itself. It is now much quieter, but still produces audible hum. I notice that the hum goes up or down as I adjust the gain. I have never owned a tube preamp. Is this something that I'm just going to have to get used to, or is there something that I can do to virtually eliminate it? The power supply is a DC wall wart. I have plugged it both directly into the wall socket and also into the panamax. The hum seems to be pretty consistent in either socket.