MetalDaze
Active Member
As the title states I discovered- and solved- a ground loop issue I didn't notice was there until I upgraded my cables. Went from generic bestbuy brand to Audioquest and immediately had a hum in the speakers. Plugged my amp into the same circuit as everything else and the speakers are whisper quiet now with my ear right up to the tweeter. Also cleaned up the rats nest of wires behind the media console which helped too.
The other problems start with my Preamp. Its an Integra DRX-3 (less than a year old) acting as a preamp for music, with multi-function for games, movies etc. I realized while doing all mentioned above that the receiver itself was humming noticeably even with everything unplugged from the inputs. Only the power cable was attached. I have plans to bring the unit back to where i purchased it to see if it needs to be replaced. It was always dead quiet while operating, same as my amplifier.
This brings me to my second issue. While further playing around i found that, with no input into the preamp (receiver) as i turn the volume up, i can get to about 83 out of 100 before i hear static at my listening position. At 90 and beyond up to 100 volume the static becomes very loud and almost overwhelming. I've had with music the volume up to about 77 once or twice before. It was loud, perhaps even approaching a bit harsh. Is the harshness the noise floor I'm hearing with no input? Do most receivers do this at this price point? The amp is large & in charge so I'm sure the noise floor of the receiver is being exacerbated by this but I'm looking for opinions before i bring the unit back. Swap for new or replace all together with something else?
The other problems start with my Preamp. Its an Integra DRX-3 (less than a year old) acting as a preamp for music, with multi-function for games, movies etc. I realized while doing all mentioned above that the receiver itself was humming noticeably even with everything unplugged from the inputs. Only the power cable was attached. I have plans to bring the unit back to where i purchased it to see if it needs to be replaced. It was always dead quiet while operating, same as my amplifier.
This brings me to my second issue. While further playing around i found that, with no input into the preamp (receiver) as i turn the volume up, i can get to about 83 out of 100 before i hear static at my listening position. At 90 and beyond up to 100 volume the static becomes very loud and almost overwhelming. I've had with music the volume up to about 77 once or twice before. It was loud, perhaps even approaching a bit harsh. Is the harshness the noise floor I'm hearing with no input? Do most receivers do this at this price point? The amp is large & in charge so I'm sure the noise floor of the receiver is being exacerbated by this but I'm looking for opinions before i bring the unit back. Swap for new or replace all together with something else?
