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Post by macca on Jan 9, 2020 12:12:53 GMT
Nice one, I'll see what I can lash up first.
I'm only intending to use the amp on the TV system so I'm not massively concerned about what speaker cable I use with it.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 9, 2020 12:27:41 GMT
Nice one, I'll see what I can lash up first. I'm only intending to use the amp on the TV system so I'm not massively concerned about what speaker cable I use with it. I know but the offer is there, should you need it. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2020 15:06:25 GMT
Fukin Audiophiles......
Be an Audiofool - Get a Soundbar, job done.
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Post by macca on Jan 9, 2020 16:08:48 GMT
Won't look as cool as a full Black Tulip system though.
Do they do a soundbar with analogue level meters? I bet they don't.
gap in the market there.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2020 16:13:39 GMT
Fair point.
Niche in the market right enough.....ha.
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Post by macca on Jan 10, 2020 18:21:32 GMT
Well set this Tulip amp up on the main system, hum in the left channel. Varies with volume so I guess I just didn't notice it on the quick test on the crappy speakers the other night. What a bastard. I can't live with any kind of hiss or hum, don't know how people put up with it. Can't be the traffo because then it wouldn't vary with the level. Anyone got any ideas? Nothing to do with any other component as there's no hum with the Krell slotted back in.
Only on the left so can't be a ground loop can it? I notice the mains plug has no earth pin but then if it was a ground loop would be on both channels surely?
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Post by jandl100 on Jan 10, 2020 18:36:13 GMT
which inputs are you using? - try the others
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Post by jandl100 on Jan 10, 2020 18:37:05 GMT
and if that doesn't work try earthing the amp
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 10, 2020 18:39:01 GMT
Well set this Tulip amp up on the main system, hum in the left channel. Varies with volume so I guess I just didn't notice it on the quick test on the crappy speakers the other night. What a bastard. I can't live with any kind of hiss or hum, don't know how people put up with it. Can't be the traffo because then it wouldn't vary with the level. Anyone got any ideas? Nothing to do with any other component as there's no hum with the Krell slotted back in. Only on the left so can't be a ground loop can it? I notice the mains plug has no earth pin but then if it was a ground loop would be on both channels surely? Ffs, You have no luck do you! What cables are you using? If it's the SPOTFIRE, the KLE plugs have (on rare occasions) not made great contact with the RCA sockets. That little node for the return can be a PITA Give the sockets a wipe over, just in case it's a bit of crud on there causing a crap connection If not, it could be anything! |
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Post by macca on Jan 10, 2020 18:39:05 GMT
Yes tried both sets of inputs. Not sure how I would earth it? But wouldn't a ground loop be humming on both channels?
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Post by macca on Jan 10, 2020 18:42:15 GMT
Well set this Tulip amp up on the main system, hum in the left channel. Varies with volume so I guess I just didn't notice it on the quick test on the crappy speakers the other night. What a bastard. I can't live with any kind of hiss or hum, don't know how people put up with it. Can't be the traffo because then it wouldn't vary with the level. Anyone got any ideas? Nothing to do with any other component as there's no hum with the Krell slotted back in. Only on the left so can't be a ground loop can it? I notice the mains plug has no earth pin but then if it was a ground loop would be on both channels surely? Ffs, You have no luck do you! What cables are you using? If it's the SPOTFIRE, the KLE plugs have (on rare occasions) not made great contact with the RCA sockets. That little node for the return can be a PITA Give the sockets a wipe over, just in case it's a bit of crud on there causing a crap connection If not, it could be anything! Interconnects are the Spotfire, yes. But I've put the Krell back in and no hum, same interconnects. I could try the 'B' speaker sockets I suppose, might bypass the problem. |
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Post by jandl100 on Jan 10, 2020 18:43:34 GMT
I had bad hum on the direct DC inputs, but it was sorted when I swapped to the ones that filtered the DC out.
Try just taking a cable from a chassis screw to an earth on another piece of gear.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 10, 2020 18:44:39 GMT
Ffs, You have no luck do you! What cables are you using? If it's the SPOTFIRE, the KLE plugs have (on rare occasions) not made great contact with the RCA sockets. That little node for the return can be a PITA Give the sockets a wipe over, just in case it's a bit of crud on there causing a crap connection If not, it could be anything! Interconnects are the Spotfire, yes. But I've put the Krell back in and no hum, same interconnects. I could try the 'B' speaker sockets I suppose, might bypass the problem. Just attach a piece of cable, bare ends, to any exposed metal on the amp. I usually take a screw out of the case and the wedge the wire under. Then touch the other end to something with an earth, again, exposed metal Try a different set of interconnected anyway Wont hurt |
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Post by macca on Jan 10, 2020 18:50:44 GMT
Well should keep me occupied tomorrow. The more I think about it, the more I think it was a crappy speaker cable connection. I hate those adaptor things and as I said before the binding posts on it are a joke. Seller says it was fine with him. Will try different speaker cable, get some bare wire right up in there. Then different interconnects, then a different pre-amp, and if none of that works I'll try the earthing thing as I think that is least likely.
Well, at least it's a hobby isn't it?
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 10, 2020 18:57:28 GMT
Well should keep me occupied tomorrow. The more I think about it, the more I think it was a crappy speaker cable connection. I hate those adaptor things and as I said before the binding posts on it are a joke. Seller says it was fine with him. Will try different speaker cable, get some bare wire right up in there. Then different interconnects, then a different pre-amp, and if none of that works I'll try the earthing thing as I think that is least likely. Well, at least it's a hobby isn't it? It is that! |
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Post by macca on Jan 10, 2020 19:53:46 GMT
Just worked out I've currently got six power amplifiers, three integrateds, one receiver and two multichannel home theatre thingies. And some of them actually work.
Integrateds seem to be declining in numbers, think I was up to ten at one point. And mutichannels are down by one from their height. But power amps are now at a new height.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 10, 2020 20:11:46 GMT
Just worked out I've currently got six power amplifiers, three integrateds, one receiver and two multichannel home theatre thingies. And some of them actually work. Integrateds seem to be declining in numbers, think I was up to ten at one point. And mutichannels are down by one from their height. But power amps are now at a new height. You need special help 😁 |
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Post by macca on Jan 10, 2020 20:29:12 GMT
Went beyond help long ago. Now I have to take comfort in the fact that there's a fair few worse than me. Not having a wife ultimately leads to male hobbies getting out of hand. I've noticed that the wife is often (but not always) the brake on such idiocy. Some like to pretend it is their own decision but as if  |
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Post by jandl100 on Jan 10, 2020 21:37:02 GMT
I wouldn't even have considered buying my fantabulous MBL speakers if Mrs J hadn't suggested it - way too expensive for me to even think about discussing it with her.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2020 18:28:26 GMT
Went beyond help long ago. Now I have to take comfort in the fact that there's a fair few worse than me. Not having a wife ultimately leads to male hobbies getting out of hand. I've noticed that the wife is often (but not always) the brake on such idiocy. Some like to pretend it is their own decision but as if Alas true, so true. |
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Post by macca on Jan 12, 2020 15:30:57 GMT
Okay -
tried connecting some thin Gale speaker cable, bare wire, got a solid fit into the sockets. Still hum on left channel.
Tried the 'B' speaker sockets, still hum on left channel.
Tried switching the interconnects over where they enter the power amp, left into right. Hum switches to the right channel! Okay so maybe it is the interconnect.
Try different interconencts - connected the right way round - hum back on left channel.
So we're left with the earthing. But I don't see why the hum is only on one channel if it's a ground loop. But given that the hum switched channels I have to think the problem is not in the power amp.
Fed up now, and it's going to be dark soon. Will try more tomorrow.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 12, 2020 15:52:21 GMT
Okay - tried connecting some thin Gale speaker cable, bare wire, got a solid fit into the sockets. Still hum on left channel. Tried the 'B' speaker sockets, still hum on left channel. Tried switching the interconnects over where they enter the power amp, left into right. Hum switches to the right channel! Okay so maybe it is the interconnect. Try different interconencts - connected the right way round - hum back on left channel. So we're left with the earthing. But I don't see why the hum is only on one channel if it's a ground loop. But given that the hum switched channels I have to think the problem is not in the power amp. Fed up now, and it's going to be dark soon. Will try more tomorrow. Preamp? If you swapped cables and the issue remained, it's not the Cables obvs You got a spare Preamp anywhere? |
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Post by macca on Jan 12, 2020 16:07:19 GMT
I have an integrated and a receiver both of which can be used a stand-alone pre-amps, will try one of them tomorrow.
I wonder if it is something about the DCB1? It works perfectly with the two Krells but when I tried it with a Linn LK100 I did get some hum, I assumed it was because the Linn was knackered, maybe not?
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Post by dsjr on Jan 12, 2020 16:18:26 GMT
Try the LK100 either open circuit on the input (nothing connected to the inputs - granny's eggs here) or with shorting plugs and see if it still hums...
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 12, 2020 16:19:15 GMT
I have an integrated and a receiver both of which can be used a stand-alone pre-amps, will try one of them tomorrow. I wonder if it is something about the DCB1? It works perfectly with the two Krells but when I tried it with a Linn LK100 I did get some hum, I assumed it was because the Linn was knackered, maybe not? Seems probably not if I'm honest. I suspect an earthing type issue of some sort in the DCB1. Maybe the way it's been done. Dunno without seeing it, I didn't build that one. |
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Post by macca on Jan 13, 2020 15:57:04 GMT
So managed to hook up the XTZ pre-amp before it got too dark. Guess what? No hum.
Actually sounds pretty good given I don't rate the pre-amp (typical cloudy grainy sound you get from most active pre amps) and I'm using speaker cable that Ollie wouldn't tie his dog up with.
So I guess it is some sort of ground loop to do with the DCB1. Weird how DCB1 is fine with both Krells, the answer to the problem must be in there I suppose.
So no direct comparison with the Krell - but if it sounds this good with skinny cable and non-descript pre-amp what would it be like with a serious pre? Or the matching pre? Going to start looking for that now I think.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 13, 2020 16:17:54 GMT
So managed to hook up the XTZ pre-amp before it got too dark. Guess what? No hum. Actually sounds pretty good given I don't rate the pre-amp (typical cloudy grainy sound you get from most active pre amps) and I'm using speaker cable that Ollie wouldn't tie his dog up with. So I guess it is some sort of ground loop to do with the DCB1. Weird how DCB1 is fine with both Krells, the answer to the problem must be in there I suppose. So no direct comparison with the Krell - but if it sounds this good with skinny cable and non-descript pre-amp what would it be like with a serious pre? Or the matching pre? Going to start looking for that now I think. You defo have a problem in the DCB1 mate. I can take a look but you'll have to be quick. 23rd I'm one handed again |
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Post by jandl100 on Jan 13, 2020 16:19:12 GMT
Don't bother with the matching pre - it's OKish but quite a bit cloudy and murky - the power amp is way better imo. Just get that playing at its best and you'll have something interesting!  |
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Post by macca on Jan 13, 2020 16:20:28 GMT
You free next Saturday?
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Post by macca on Jan 13, 2020 16:22:59 GMT
Don't bother with the matching pre - it's OKish but a bit cloudy and murky - the power amp is way better imo. Just get that playing at its best and you'll have something interesting! My intention is to get the full Black Tulip set over time. So I'll be getting it crap or not! God knows what I'm going to do with the tape deck. |
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