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Help with loud pop when AC kicks on - phono amp problem

Hi everyone,

Back with yet another power line issue.  I have a Croft RIAA phono amp power that is causing a very loud pop whenever the AC unit kicks on and again when the fan starts a few seconds later.  In some cases the pop is so loud that it can be heard three rooms away.  It can be heard over even the loudest music peaks.  I'm afraid that it might damage the unit or the speakers, so I'm hesitant to use it.  I'm not sure if new tubes might make a difference.  I hooked a CD player up to the integrated amp (right now I'm using a Jolida hybrid while I'm shopping for a new integrated), and there is no noise when the A/C starts up if only the CD player is hooked up. 

I have tried two different power cords.  Plugged the Croft into the wall, into a PLC Thingee power conditioner, and into a Furman power conditioner.  In all cases it still pops to one degree or another.  

Any thoughts on whether it's worth hunting for the problem.  I had some similar issues with a Heed Quasar phono stage.  But haven't noticed it on a couple of other phono stages.  Seems very hit and miss.

Would welcome any advice.  Thanks!
Scott
smrex13
marktomaras
535 posts
 
Seems like you need to completely isolate your system electrically.  Is a dedicated circuit for your audio system in the breaker panel an option? Also, I would ask an electrician to look at the wiring to the air conditioner.  That unit should not be affecting the rest of the electrical panel in such a dramatic way.  As for power conditioning, perhaps a regenerator like the ps audio power plant could work.  There is probably a local or online dealer that will give a demo or offer a refund if not satisfied.
smrex13 OP
423 posts
 
Mark - unfortunately, I live in an apartment complex, so any kind of rewiring is out of the question.  The PS Audio regenerator has been on my radar for a while as a reasonable solution for an apartment dweller like me.  Of course it eats up the budget I had hoped to spend on a new integrated...

Thanks, Scott
marktomaras
535 posts
 
Perhaps the wiring is causing a problem, maybe even a dangerous one. The air conditioning unit shouldn't be causing so much trouble to the other electrical appliances.  It may be worth having an electrician out to investigate.  Could be something easy like the breaker circuit on the AC unit itself is bad or going bad. 
almarg's avatar
almarg
8,673 posts
 
Hi Scott,

As I recall some of the phono stages you've tried in the past have had issues involving pickup of radio signals.  So in part for that reason I wouldn't totally rule out the possibility that the means by which the air conditioner is causing the issue is by coupling of RFI through the air, rather than by its effects on the power line.  Especially if the air conditioner is located in the same room as the phono stage.

And also given that a Furman power conditioner didn't resolve the problem, as some of their models provide very good filtering down to the low kHz range.  What model Furman was it?  And did it seem to make a perceivable difference in the severity of the problem?

Best regards,
-- Al
    
minkwelder
191 posts
 
If I may interject, I too have had a popping sound that had begun recently, only it happens when activating certain light switches. I had recently replaced my line stage as well as my phono stage, so I didn't know where the fault may lie. The AC does not cause any problems.

The line stage is a W4S STP/SE and the phono stage: HEED QUASAR! Hmmmmmmm.
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