Can you post a few photos of your setup? That may help to visualize the solution..
Help with power and cable routing issues in an apartment. Help!!
Greetings everyone,
I wanted to get some input from all of you on how to best improve the performance of my system via power treatment (or lack thereof) and cable suggestions. The main problem is that I live in an apartment, so there is no chance of dedicated lines or significant electrical work. I do have a Maestro outlet installed, which is a nice improvement. The voltage from the wall seems to be a pretty consistent 120-123. My system is very simple - turntable>phono preamp>integrated amp>monitor speakers. It's not a big room, and I don't listen too loud. However, my rather limited set-up possibilities are hampering my quest for sonic bliss....
The phone line and cable internet line both run along the floor behind my stereo rack, which is between the speakers. This is by far the most convenient setup due to doors/entryways on the other three walls of the room. Unfortunately, I pick up low level radio signals through the system if the phono cable is within several feet of the phone/cable line. Even when separated by a few feet I get a fair amount of hum. Nearly every product I have owned seems to have a level of hum/transformer noise/tube hiss/etc. that is unusual for the particular product, so some of the problem clearly lies with my power and cabling situation. A few thoughts occur to me, and I'd like to get your input (and further ideas):
1. Move the stereo rack: the only way to move the stereo rack would be to put it along the side wall slightly forward of the left speaker but before the first reflection point. This might help get the stereo away from the noise generated by the phone/cable lines, but I'd still have the typical power problems of apartment life.
2. Shield the phone/cable lines in some way by running them through a metal tube, wrapping them in some type of foil, etc. I don't know whether this would be effective or not.
3. Get a power regenerator. This seems like an expensive option if it doesn't work well, but perhaps I can find one with a trial period or buy one used to see how it works. As my systems is only a 65 watt integrated, I don't need to draw a ton of current. Maybe a PS Audio entry-level would be sufficient?
I would greatly appreciate your suggestions - it's been a source of frustration that my system always seems to have nagging "issues".
Thanks so much,Scott
I wanted to get some input from all of you on how to best improve the performance of my system via power treatment (or lack thereof) and cable suggestions. The main problem is that I live in an apartment, so there is no chance of dedicated lines or significant electrical work. I do have a Maestro outlet installed, which is a nice improvement. The voltage from the wall seems to be a pretty consistent 120-123. My system is very simple - turntable>phono preamp>integrated amp>monitor speakers. It's not a big room, and I don't listen too loud. However, my rather limited set-up possibilities are hampering my quest for sonic bliss....
The phone line and cable internet line both run along the floor behind my stereo rack, which is between the speakers. This is by far the most convenient setup due to doors/entryways on the other three walls of the room. Unfortunately, I pick up low level radio signals through the system if the phono cable is within several feet of the phone/cable line. Even when separated by a few feet I get a fair amount of hum. Nearly every product I have owned seems to have a level of hum/transformer noise/tube hiss/etc. that is unusual for the particular product, so some of the problem clearly lies with my power and cabling situation. A few thoughts occur to me, and I'd like to get your input (and further ideas):
1. Move the stereo rack: the only way to move the stereo rack would be to put it along the side wall slightly forward of the left speaker but before the first reflection point. This might help get the stereo away from the noise generated by the phone/cable lines, but I'd still have the typical power problems of apartment life.
2. Shield the phone/cable lines in some way by running them through a metal tube, wrapping them in some type of foil, etc. I don't know whether this would be effective or not.
3. Get a power regenerator. This seems like an expensive option if it doesn't work well, but perhaps I can find one with a trial period or buy one used to see how it works. As my systems is only a 65 watt integrated, I don't need to draw a ton of current. Maybe a PS Audio entry-level would be sufficient?
I would greatly appreciate your suggestions - it's been a source of frustration that my system always seems to have nagging "issues".
Thanks so much,Scott
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- 8 posts total
- 8 posts total