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Update on my Coincident Dynamo 34SE

Hi everyone,

A while back many of you gave me guidance on some hum issues I had with my new Coincident Dynamo. I ended up sending it back to Coincident for service. They said the filter caps were the problem and replaced them. I got it back today, plugged it in, and….the hum started up right away. It is not only just as bad, now it's equally bad in both channels (it was worse in the right channel before). I have to imagine that the techs listened to the amp after changing the filter caps, so perhaps this level of noise is normal?

I'm somewhat new to single ended tube amps, and I know that there is some hum associated with them. However, I can hear the hum from 20 feet away. It makes headphone listening impossible. It's also not going to work for near field listening at my work desk. From about 8 feet away in my listening chair, the hum is audible during very quiet passages and between songs. I guess it's just not meant to be...

I guess this falls under the "live and learn" category.

Scott
smrex13
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
People go down a unique path with tube amps including SETs.

I would hope the vendor is proactive and goes out of their way to help resolve issues. Given the financial investment in a somewhat rare and esoteric technology, customers should not have to rely on public forums for answers.

Customer support is always key for any large investment, but even more so when the technology is more unique and might require special knowledge and expertise to deal with it effectively.

Something worth keeping in mind as one chooses their path through this sometimes complex world of hifi sound and tachnology.

I suspect Coincident will be a good provider and do whatever they can to help resolve the problem. Keep us posted. I am very interested in how different companies I am less familiar with handle customer service.
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
Are source and amp plugged into teh same wall outlet or known to be on the same electrical circuit in the house?

COnencting components to different outlets/circuits is a common cause of ground related hum regardless of amp type.

if so, try plugging source and amp into same outlet and listen for any difference.

Or as Seikosha suggested, as a test, try a different location and check for any difference. Could be different circuit/room in teh house or another location altogether.
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
Once its determined if teh ground is a problem or not, the next regression test would be to change one tube at a time and listen for differences. Of course, one must have spare tubes to do that. I always keep at least one spare tube around for each in use in my system so that when teh time comes (and it inevitable will with tubes) to regression test for tube related issues, it can be done.
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
Also check to see if there are any nearby electric devices that generate EM fields. ANy power consuming appliances or devices nearby or on the same circuit with large power transformers, like airconditioners, refrigerators, etc. are prime suspects. Also flourescent lighting and dimmers are often sources of noise.

If any such devices that might be the casue are identified, then look for ways to both physically and electronically isolate your hifi from those external sources of noise.
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
2,651 posts
 
Smrex13,
Al and everyone else have made great suggestions and I have nothing to add, as I don't have the expertise anyway. I did notice though that you said in your OP that you thought that hum was part of the SET experience. I would say don't lose heart yet, because that has not been true for me. My SET is quieter than my previous solid state amp.
Good luck in solving the problem.
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