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Amplifier hum - normal?

Is it normal for amps to emit a slight humming noise from the transformer when turned on?

I never noticed it in my old integrated that I lived with for over 10 years, but that was lower power. Now I've gone from 50wpc to 120wpc... don't know if that makes a difference here though.

I mean, it's not nearly enough to bother me or even really be audible past 3 feet away... but I am curious if this is typical for amplifiers to do this.
djembeplay
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I'm with Studio68.

Why not try the PS Audio Humbuster or the Channel Islands XCD-2, whichever is available with a home trial.

At least that way you'll determine if DC is the cause of the hum before you go messing around building a DIY DC blocker that may be unnecessary.
terra3
45 posts
 
Resurrecting this discussion, if the hum has increased over time (and increased consistently over that period, not ebb and flow), would that pretty much rule out a DC source i.e. more so a fault of the transformer, the fault becoming worse with time?
gbart
290 posts
 
If you are referring to the OP, I built him a DC blocker that cured his hum problem.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/191557/DC_BLOCKER_02.jpg
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