Electrician specializing in audio needed Buffalo

Jim,

Thank you for all of your help.

I used three dedicated runs of Oyaide solid core 10 AWG wire from three separate breakers in the panel to three separate outlets dedicated to my power amplifiers and my direct drive turntable. Each run is fully visible from the panel to the outlet. The cable was not run inside conduit because the City inspector did not require it. I used two dedicated runs of Cardas solid core 10 AWG wire to two separate outlets dedicated to the power supplies for my phono stage and line stage preamplifiers. These two runs are also fully visible from the panel to the outlets and were not run through conduit.

I had previously checked the outlets with my voltmeter when first installed and found zero volts when checking outlet to outlet.So I had assumed everything had been properly run off of the same leg.

My mono power amplifiers have a ground lift switch. When I flip the switch, my system is dead quiet. I just don't like the idea of having to defeat ground to achieve silence. This seems dangerous to me.

Thanks again for your time.

Tmmvinyl,

Thank you for responding back to my post.

My mono power amplifiers have a ground lift switch. When I flip the switch, my system is dead quiet. I just don't like the idea of having to defeat ground to achieve silence. This seems dangerous to me.
07-18-15: Tmmvinyl

You have found and solved your apparent ground loop hum problem.It is not caused by the AC grounded branch circuits wiring feeding the amps. The type of branch circuit wiring that was used and the very short distances, lengths, of the runs rules out the chance the ground loop hum is being caused by the branch circuit wiring, imo.

The problem lies with the mono amps. If Ralph from Atmasphere
is following this thread he is more qualified to give you the answer why.
It's a good thing the manufacture of the mono amps incorporated the ground lift switch on the amps. The switch does not lift the safety equipment ground chassis connection from the safety equipment grounding conductor of the AC power cord, That would be dangerous and UL would not give their blessing and safety approve, List, the amps. The ground lift switch lifts the signal ground, B- DC power rail, from the metal chassis of the amp,thus breaking the ground loop circuit/s that is causing the hum.

So the bottom line is, it safe to lift the signal ground from the chassis/safety equipment ground.

Jim.

Thanks again Jim. Does lifting the ground on my power amplifiers do anything to degrade the amp's sonic capabilities?

Does lifting the ground on my power amplifiers do anything to degrade the amp's sonic capabilities?
07-19-15: Tmmvinyl

Tmmvinyl,

JMHO no. You could contact the designer/manufacture of the amps for their opinion.

Now if for some reason an amplifier's electrical safety equipment grounding conductor electrical continuity connection to the neutral/ground bar was open then the floating above ground chassis would, I would think, act as an antenna and could cause RFI problems.

Again if Ralf, (Atmasphere), is following this thread of yours he could better address your concerns.

I would be willing to bet Al, (Almarg), could as well.

Jim

Agreed; Atmasphere and Almarg are welcomed in any discussion. Thanks again.