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Electricity causing buzz?

J

joostdemoor

New Member
Hi all,

I recently moved to a new apartment and have since been experiencing something odd/annoying. My stereo setup (Sony TA-555ES - Dual 505-2 - KEF Q350) has started producing frequent high pitched buzzes, and I have a strong suspicion this has something to do with teh electricity wiring in the apartment, because I also hear the lights (spots) make the same kind of buzz (also when the stereo is off). The stereo furthermore makes the noise regardless of which channel I use, so I don't think it is related to the turntable, which is properly grounded, and previously never gave these issues. I unfortunately know next to nothing about electricity, so is there someone here who could respond on whether it is possible this is related to the electricity setup in the apartment? If so, what could be done? It's a rented apartment, and it's unlikely I could get the landlord to redo the wiring because of my stereo issues. Is there any divices that kind of "absorb" these kind of issues?

Thanks a lot in advance!

Joost
 
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Is the buzzing sound coming out of the speakers, ie, audio or is the sound coming from the amps internals, eg, transformer.
If transformer then possibly you have a small amount of dc voltage on your AC line, this will cause the transformer to buzz. DC filters/blockers can be purchased, some at boutique prices...
 
Thanks MBZ. No, I'm afraid it's mainly coming out of the speakers. If I put my ear directly on the amp I hear something, but very very faintly, and not high pitched.
 
Now days, there are lots of poorly designed devices that are plugged into the power. These poor power supplies are injecting all kinds of goofy signal trash into the line voltage and then that gets distributed though your apartment building (maybe even the nearby buildings). Christmas lighting is certainbly one culprit, but there can be many, anything that needs to have 120v reduced to some DC voltage.

The cure may.....may be a power conditioner that your system can plug into. Do you see the noise in your TV viewing also?

Some LED light and bad or incorrect dimers may also cause problems also fluorescent light can be problematic.
 
Are some of the lighting in your apartment controlled by dimmer switches ? They`ve been known to heavily noise pollute the building`s AC wiring when used.
LED/CFL lights can also pollute the buildings wiring with all kinds of buzzing noise from their integral power supply`s if used.

Computers/Wi-Fi/modems/access point, cable boxes, and Cell ph.s near audio and video gear can sometimes interfere with them as well.
Your adjacent neighbor`s digital devices (see above) can sometimes also create interference to you as well.

If not already in use, a properly grounded "quality" 120 v power surge/spike/conditioner can usually be effective when your A/V equipment is powered through them, juoostdemoor.

Just some thoughts, Sir.

Good luck with taming your interference issues.
 
FWIW, I have 7 rooms of my house with A/V systems in each and I use different makes & models of long in business manufacturing of power protection/conditioners companies products that vary in price.

None of which are overly priced gouging "Audiophile" marketed types, just ones that I have learned to trust since starting in 1995 (Tripp Lite, Furman, APC, Panamax, Monster Power brands).

My needs also involved the purchase and use of Auto voltage regulators (AVR) for use in some room`s expensive systems for when my local power grid drops very low (as low as 113v recently) during very hot or very cold outside temperatures or is off line because of a sustained power outage and I`m being powered by my whole house capacity backup generator with it`s own created power surges from the HVAC cycling.

It`s difficult for me to recommend specific models for you, but can only say try to purchase a quality brand model (refer above) from a vender that allows you to try and see if it removes your interference, and allows you to painlessly return it and either try another model, or get your money back.
Your desired budget probably dictates different levels than mine.
 
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Bill Ferris said:
FWIW, I have 7 rooms of my house with A/V systems in each and I use different makes & models of long in business manufacturing of power protection/conditioners companies products that vary in price.

None of which are overly priced gouging "Audiophile" marketed types, just ones that I have learned to trust since starting in 1995 (Tripp Lite, Furman, APC, Panamax, Monster Power brands).

My needs also involved the purchase and use of Auto voltage regulators (AVR) for use in some room`s expensive systems for when my local power grid drops very low (as low as 113v recently) during very hot or very cold outside temperatures or is off line because of a sustained power outage and I`m being powered by my whole house capacity backup generator with it`s own created power surges from the HVAC cycling.

It`s difficult for me to recommend specific models for you, but can only say try to purchase a quality brand model (refer above) from a vender that allows you to try and see if it removes your interference, and allows you to painlessly return it and either try another model, or get your money back.
Your desired budget probably dictates different levels than mine.
Click to expand...

Wonderful Bill. Thank you so much for the detailed advice. This will certainly help!
 
Bill Ferris said:
This location of yours might have been helpful if you had provided it early on in your Thread and or on your A/K profile`s location for those who might try to help you. joostdemoor !
Click to expand...

It didn't even cross my mind, but in hindsight, you're right of course! Does it change anything you said before, except references to 120 volt?
 
One thing that popped into my head was is you or the neighbors are using LED lights?

I have 4 units (from China) in my garage and they blare out so much RF noise that they blanket most of the radio stations in my garage receiver and render my garage door opener useless if they are on.
 
joostdemoor said:
It didn't even cross my mind, but in hindsight, you're right of course! Does it change anything you said before, except references to 120 volt?
Click to expand...

I don`t know if the Panamax 240 v 20amp rated surge/spike conditioners that I bought in 2006 to protect my Mc. rewired for 240 v 1,200 watt SS mono block power amps are still being a currently available ?
They were designed to 240v power protect/condition big industrial type Laser printers..
They had heavy 12ga. in & out 3 ft. long pigtail power cords so the could be either hard wired to the equipment, or like in my case have the desired plug and inline sockets wired instead..

Their pretty badass heavy duty with status LEDs and are not looking like some fancy A/V system protector that would be easy on the eyes placed with the equipment, but I didn`t care, as I am only interested in protecting the 2006 ~ $ 14,000.00 USD investment of the Mc. mono block amplifiers that stay plugged in 24/7/365 because their remotely 12v triggered switched on.

These are the only 240v surge/spike/conditioners that I`ve ever had experience with.

Good luck finding 240v protector/conditioners, joostdemoor, as I`m sure their readily available..
 
RVT1K said:
One thing that popped into my head was is you or the neighbors are using LED lights?

I have 4 units (from China) in my garage and they blare out so much RF noise that they blanket most of the radio stations in my garage receiver and render my garage door opener useless if they are on.
Click to expand...

FWIW, RVT1K, Genie "Professional Line" sells RFI noise filtered LED bulbs specifically for use with garage door openers, that might be something helpful for your garage LED bulb RFI situation.
 
Bill Ferris said:
FWIW, RVT1K, Genie "Professional Line" sells RFI noise filtered LED bulbs specifically for use with garage door openers, that might be something helpful for your garage LED bulb RFI situation.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip.

The ones I have are the 100W ones with the folding petals. I used them to replace four fluorescent fixtures and, as far as light is concerned, they can't be beat.
But we're moving in a couple of months and I think the new owners can worry about that one.
 
RVT1K said:
Thanks for the tip.

The ones I have are the 100W ones with the folding petals. I used them to replace four fluorescent fixtures and, as far as light is concerned, they can't be beat.
But we're moving in a couple of months and I think the new owners can worry about that one.
Click to expand...

Well then, very good, Sir.
 
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