Getting Rid of Transformer Hum

Read this article. It's written so a layman can understand it.

Essentially, there are two causes of transformer hum: magnetostriction and DC. Magnetostriction is what I referred to above in which the voltage on the AC line drops more than 10% (or increases more than 10%) from the toroid's voltage rating.

The irony mentioned by Ngjockey is what confused me. I've since read plenty of articles like the one Tvad provided (btw, thank you), on magnetostriction and DC. However, the consensus seems to be that all quality Toroids and modern electric equipment should be sufficient at removing DC. The ones proposing DC as a main problem all seem to be selling something. Still, there are people as there are here, in this thread, that says an isolation transformer, or a device like the Channel Islands Audio XDC-2 solved all their problems.

So here, I'm at crossroads with my wallet since I really don't want to spend colossal amounts of money (to me) on all these devices, which in my opinion, are being marked up ridiculously.

I'm entertaining, though, one alternative option. I could try to sell my Panamax "line conditioner", and buy a used voltage regulator, which should take care of magnetostriction, and to my underestanding, DC as well. Are there any opinions on this?
i.e. Monster AVS 2000, PS Audio Power Plant...

I'll probably end up getting the CIA XDC-2 if it turns out the Monster would be insufficient...

The CIA XDC-2 can be tried and returned for a refund (less restocking fee) if it doesn't work. That's where I'd start.

If you own other components with toroids, and if they don't hum, then you know the problem is confined to the one component.

If the CIA device doesn't work, then I'd consider buying a different amp rather than throwing money at a problem that's likely inherent with the component itself.

Sorry if that confused you. The irony is that transformers hate to have DC provided to them on the inlet but they do a great job of eliminating DC on the outlet side. Then, it usually gets rectified anyway.

That's why I didn't suggest using an isolation transformer in front of the amp. Although it would probably solve the noise in the amp by eliminating DC to it, the iso tranny would be just as likely to hum. The problem might just be relocated. And I like iso trannys.

Should also mention that the reason you don't see a lot of the Channel Islands type of thing and why the DaBlok is DIY is because capacitors aren't intended for AC mains and there is a slight chance of the caps going "poof" or "bang". No, we're not talking dynomite here but it's scary enough for manufacturers. Thus, the heavy duty case, expensive components and the cost.

Have you gone to your breaker panel yet and turned off everything except the wall outlets to the stereo? Unpugged the TV cable and any dimmers or 2 or 3-way lights? You might find the source of the DC is something that seems completely unrelated.

Tvad is right, there are other causes for noise besides DC but I'm stickin' to my story unless you prove me wrong. Maybe even after that.

Rakuennow
However, the consensus seems to be that all quality Toroids and modern electric equipment should be sufficient at removing DC.

Ain't gonna happen..... It's the nature of the beast. DC voltage interring the primary winding of a toroid transformer will cause mechanical noise.
That is, if there is DC voltage on the mains.
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The ones proposing DC as a main problem all seem to be selling something..

Nelson Pass nor Eva Manley are trying to sell devices to filter out DC voltage.
For a few bucks you can build a DC blocking filter as Pass and Manley talked about in their posts on DIY
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I'm entertaining, though, one alternative option. I could try to sell my Panamax "line conditioner", and buy a used voltage regulator, which should take care of magnetostriction, and to my underestanding, DC as well. Are there any opinions on this?

I suggest you first check the back of the Amp and see what the manufacture voltage rating is. Is it 120V or 115V?
Even if it is 120V 10% under would put the voltage at 108V.
Then there is your meter...... How accurate is your meter?

>>>>>>>>>>
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Ngjockey
Should also mention that the reason you don't see a lot of the Channel Islands type of thing and why the DaBlok is DIY is because capacitors aren't intended for AC mains and there is a slight chance of the caps going "poof" or "bang". No, we're not talking dynomite here but it's scary enough for manufacturers. Thus, the heavy duty case, expensive components and the cost.

Ngjockey, if it is a concern a fuse could always be placed ahead of the filter circuit.
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