2. amps-preamps
  3. 1073696856

static electricity

I have found that when I walk across the room and touch my preamp, sometimes a tiny spark travels from my finger( static electricity) Nothing unusual in static electricty, but it produces a crackle sound in my speakers. The preamp is Audio Experience Mark II (all tube). IF I touch my amp ( Velleman 4040 tube) or CD player ( AMC CD6D TUbe) I never hear any crackle. Is this dangerous to the speakers, tubes or solid state circuits?? Should this happen? Hopefully one of you fellows with some engineering experience can help. All of the equipment has heavy duty, 3 prong, detachable power cords, and are plugged into a surge protector.
davros19
subaruguru
1,353 posts
 
Not to mention the fact that a too-low humidy changes the propagation of the top octaves in the air, resulting in a spectral tilt!
jmslaw
95 posts
 
I, too, have noticed UNBELIEVABLE static in my listening room lately. It is about 20 degrees outside and dry as a bone. Last winter, my daughter pulled her blanket across the carpeted floor, and a wave of static electricity traveled across the floor to my system, which shut down. Fortunately, my equipment has protection circuits. Lately, I have to mute my preamp prior to touching anything, especially my tonearm!!
lugnut
1,190 posts
 
Hey, when you install the humidifier make sure you have a dedicated circuit. Just kidding. Another consideration if you install a humidifier is the quality of the water. If you have extremely hard water you WILL have a humidifier malfunction. Installing a water softener is the fix. Then you can get the dedicated ciruit. ;)
mburns92's avatar
mburns92
37 posts
 
I always get shocked by my car door, but I haven't noticed the spectral tilt.
davros19 OP
1 posts
 
Thanks for all the info!
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