Maddening HUMMMM


In an attempt to get rid of a very loud speaker hum from my tube monoblocks, I've done everything I can possilbly think of, including the following;
Changed out Interconnects, the pre amp, and the speaker cables and the speakers. I've pluged each amp into a Lightspeed A/C filter, and then gotten rid of the filter and plugged directly into the wall w/o the filter. I've plugged the amps, via a 10 gauge extension cord into different wall outlets, including one dedicated outlet. Cheater plugs, then no cheater plugs, then different combos of cheater plugs or not. I disconnected the pre and had just the speakers cables to the speakers. I tired a different speaker. I've gotten up at 4 AM and turned off each circuit at the panel, then listened again. I even tried a different amp. I've lifted the cables off the carpeted floor. Using tape and assorted other devices, I've made certain that now power cords are anywhere near the ICs or speaker cables. All Components are on rack with carpet piercing spikes. NOTHING I DO ELIMINATES THE HUM.

This all started about six weeks ago when I rearranged my room and hooked up my system on the other side of the room. No hums before. Now the mega hum. This is no small noise. This is loud enough to hear in the next room. HELP ME, PLEASE, OR PUT ME OUT OF MY MISERY!!!!! Thanks for any advice you might offer. I've tried everything I can think of. Kolledog
kolledog
I was going to suggest the TV as well. Try unplugging it - not just turning it off - to see if that helps. Also, do you have any battery backup/power supplies for your computer? Knock those out as well.

When you moved, did you move the system closer to major appliances, like the 'fridge?
I had this problem on a DAC and discovered that one of the ground wires on the RCA outputs had broken off. You may want to have a quick look inside and make sure all the wires at the input of your monos are still connected.

Mike
I disconnected the pre and had just the speakers cables to the speakers
Kolledog

If I understand you correctly you had the the offending Amp completely isolated from the rest of the audio system. Just the Amp alone with nothing connected to the line input. Only the speaker was connected, and you still had the hum problem.

Sounds to me the problem is within the Amp its self. When you moved the Amp you may have caused and internal problem. Maybe nothing more than a tube just happened to go bad.
I have had Mike's experience as well. A bad RCA jack ground will cause just what you describe. I've had it happen with cables (pulling them out by the wire is a bad habit...) but a bad jack in the amp will do it too. But if you've changed amps already....hmmmmm...

keep us posted.
Arthur
if you look on the jensen transformers webpage under the white pages section, they have a pretty thorough step by step to troubleshooting ground loop hums. see if it helps if you haven't tried it yet.