As someone who lived in 230V land, and now living and designing in 115V land (for both 115V and 230V) - there are two big issues - DC offset and 50Hz vs 60Hz.
When transformers are designed in USA (60Hz), sometimes we just take a step-up transformer or a variac and test it at 230V. In my experience - big mistake. A transformer that is totally quiet will hum and buzz and rattle when tested actually at 50Hz. I've found two solutions, but both expensive. The Burmester power conditioners all zero-out the DC offset. Secondly, the IsoTek Synchro powercord which attempts to promote a perfectly symmetrical sine wave. Both try to do the same thing in different ways.
I did try a humbuster III in several configurations, Humbuster in front of power conditioner (Running Springs Audio) and all components, humbuster in front of Spectral components (with and without power conditioning), Humbuster in front of just preamp (with and without power conditioning), . I noticed no reduction in hum from the preamp.
Okay I'll bite. How do you impregnate a transformer. And would not that just produce a lot of little nosier transformers.
Okay I'll bite. How do you impregnate a transformer. And would not that just produce a lot of little nosier transformers.
Gentlemen, and ladies, hi-fi is far too serious to crack jokes about!
No it's not. If we can't have a laugh at this wacky hobby of ours from time to time we really have some problems!
It would help to try and pool experiences and solutions at this point. My dealer is in the process - he says - of discussing my problem (a humming DMA260) with Spectral. I have not gone on the phone to the company myself because I think it is the reasonable responsibility for the dealer to find a solution. Certainly for such an expensive piece of kit - and my heavy duty investment in Spectral - where I am is not satisfactory.
When I hear his practical solution to the problem - be it send the amp back or some other - I will report here. It would be good to hear what other members are doing and achieving.
I am aware of how delicate or set up dependent Spectral can be and I wonder if there is something in how my cables are running that is generating hum?
Thanks
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