Amp "Hum" caused by dimmer switches


I just recently got an Acurus 100x3 amp to drive the front 3 speakers of my home theater system and I am disapointed to find out that my room light dimmer switch is causing a very noticeable "hum" that can be heard from the listening position when no audio signal/ low passages are present. I did not have this problem using the amp in my harmon/kardon receiver. I do not want to remove the dimmer and go to an on/off switch and do not have the money for a power conditioner. Am I out of luck and have to resell the amp? I bought it used from this sight so I can not return it. The amp sounds very nice when the lights are not in use. I'd love to get some sound advice! Thanks!
brentski71
If the dimmer is the problem, you should remove the dimmer, no line conditioning treatment is as good as removing the source of the problem altogether. Try getting a few lamps for the room to give you different levels of total lighting in the room. If you guys really want to hear how bad dimmers are for your system, turn a clock radio to an AM station and then turn your dimmer up and down. If you really must have a dimmer, get one of the stepped dimmers, as a fixed resistor does less damage than a variable resistor, but still damage. For the record, I have no dimmers in my entire house, one dragged out argument with my wife, and years of improved listening as a result, well worth it.
Several comments on this one.

14 dedicated lines for an audio system ??? Talk about the potential for a ground loop !!!! That would have to be done very carefully. I'm assuming that Albert probably paid as much attention to having this done correctly as he does to putting forth well written and informational posts though. WHEW !!! That one's pretty much a complete breaker box unto itself !!!

Hum, ground loops and noise can be generated from having pieces of gear within the same system plugged into different outlets. This is true EVEN if they are on the same circuit. Try plugging everything into one outlet via a power strip, etc.. and see if that helps at all.

If you have ANY two pronged power cords hooked up in that system that are not polarized, you might try flipping them around. This can sometimes make a dramatic difference in noise coming into the system and lower the noise floor of the equipment itself.

You might want to invest in a polarity checker for your wall outlets. This is a good investment that is valid for things other than just audio purposes. Rat Shack and any decent hardware store will have them. Cost is under $10.

Try using a "cheater plug" or "ground lifting adapter" on the amp. This takes a three pronged cord and converts it into a two pronged cord.

After these simple and inexpensive "fixes", things get more complex as mentioned above. Like some of the others here, i would rather try to stop the bleeding rather than just band-aid the wound. Find a good dimmer and go from there if that alone does not do the job. Since dimmer's are not "audiophile grade" products, they should be MUCH cheaper than ANY "audiophile" type tweak that would remotely make a dent in fixing the problem. Sean
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I had similar thoughts to try the quietline products, as my house has not-so-good wiring. I didn't want to spend 250 bucks on them and local dealers didn't have them for me to try.

I found the music direct has them individually for 27.50 each so, you can try 2 or 3 and see if you like them. (am in no way associated with music direct). shipping is cheap, and fast. Some indiana-based company has them advertised in stereophile for 24.99 each. can't remember the name though.

I thought they improved the picture on my tv a bit. a little less "snow" on cable.

Hope this helps.
You can try a "high" quality dimmer, like the Lutrons that were mentioned. Or check to see that the lighting branch circuit is on the "other" leg of your service. Not the same "leg" as your amp, or branch circuit. If these suggestions to not help, you can buy a rheostat style dimmer. These are used in medical MRI's to dim the lights down with the sensitive equipment. Most require a deep two gang box, and can generate some heat. Good luck!
Khaki8 , I bought my Quiet Line Filters at CES, after I heard the demo,

Sean, I went into a lot of detail about electrical in another post, so won't cover all points. The short version is that I had the electric company do a dedicated transformer, run 220 three phase and install a 750 amp straight thorough box (amp probe meter rather than disconnect type). Then I put all digital on lower leg, all analog on higher leg, and third phase to air conditioning system. The fourteen dedicated breakers are all 10 gauge with a separate TNN ground to true earth. The star ground does not even see the rest of the house.

As far a comments about dimmers, I too have none in my home. The reason I answered the question the way I did was the fact that the poster seemed ready to sell his amp rather than do away with the lighting.

Difficult to know what is important to anyone's family. Add to that, the filters did help my system, even when I had no problem. Looked like an inexpensive option, compared to selling gear. As always, will not fit everyone's needs.