AudioDoctor Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 So, here is a new series I will write to add some of what I miss from this forum. First installment. Common Ground. Not the kind where we all find something to agree on within a larger contentious topic. The kind that helps all your electronics work better, called an Earth in other parts of the world. You want to make your system sound better for next to nothing? Ensure every device has the same ground. I guarantee something as simple as plugging your entire system into one single outlet on the wall will have benefits to sound quality. Quieter background? Yep. Better definition of individual instruments? Yep. Better background detail and sounds down in the mix? Yep. SO here is an example of my home office system based around my iMac. I have one outlet, the top outlet goes to a UPS Battery power Supply for my iMac and associated external drives. The bottom outlet goes to a power conditioner with the plugs for my DAC, my Marantz 2230, my Turntable, and Phono amp. It has the added benefit of protection against data loss in case of a sudden power outage meaning less chance of a loss of music files. No electron left behind. Link to comment
AudioDoctor Posted July 20, 2016 Author Share Posted July 20, 2016 I guess I didn't add enough buzzwords, there is a simple solution, and not enough controversy here... My next one will be AudioDoctors crazy complicated Audio Miracles... That one will be a hit. No electron left behind. Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Very cool. When I had Spectral Audio gear it was mandatory that I use a single outlet or else I would have major hum in my system. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
AudioDoctor Posted July 20, 2016 Author Share Posted July 20, 2016 Very cool. When I had Spectral Audio gear it was mandatory that I use a single outlet or else I would have major hum in my system. It has made a major difference in my personal systems. If anyone needs an example, I have tubes. Come on over and I'll plug them into different outlets and you can listen to the buzzing! No electron left behind. Link to comment
wgscott Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Your apostrophe key isn't working. Can you deliberately create a ground loop and reproducibly degrade the audio as a function of applied voltage (as a test)? A few years ago I bought an isolator for my cabal TV connection, as it created a ground loop. If you have a TV - Blogs - Computer Audiophile Link to comment
AudioDoctor Posted July 20, 2016 Author Share Posted July 20, 2016 Your apostrophe key isn't working. Can you deliberately create a ground loop and reproducibly degrade the audio as a function of applied voltage (as a test)? A few years ago I bought an isolator for my cabal TV connection, as it created a ground loop. If you have a TV - Blogs - Computer Audiophile Sure, I'll plug my cable box in... ;-) edit: seriously, I probably could. If I go ahead and plug it in the way it was before, and we listen, and then I plug it back in the new way, you would immediately notice the difference and it won't be subtle. The apostrophe key is working fine, autocorrect usually puts them in for me. No electron left behind. Link to comment
mrvco Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Fortunately the spacing of my electrical outlets precludes me from utilizing multiple outlets for my audio rig. -- My Audio System Link to comment
wgscott Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Sure, I'll plug my cable box in... ;-) edit: seriously, I probably could. If I go ahead and plug it in the way it was before, and we listen, and then I plug it back in the new way, you would immediately notice the difference and it won't be subtle. The apostrophe key is working fine, autocorrect usually puts them in for me. Siri, please auto-correct my doctor handwriting. Link to comment
AudioDoctor Posted July 20, 2016 Author Share Posted July 20, 2016 Siri, please auto-correct my doctor handwriting. It has come to the point I just type away and let autocorrect do it for me. No electron left behind. Link to comment
Middy Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Any thoughts on those grounding box's or a box of dirt with cables and other extra grounding points? In my Oppo I cleaned up the threads on the ground plane on the pcb and added silver paste. Same for the chassis earth point. Not a huge difference but a touch more than before... More out of general curiosity. Same for the Earth connections/ common ground back to the mains...iec /uk 3 pin/ conditioner/ uk 3 pin/ Wall socket. If it doesn't make it worse and cheap... give it a go attitude... Cheers AudioDoctor keep the advice / tips coming..... You could try ' Audio Doc's [emoji382] Fantastical [emoji326] marvellous [emoji322] melody[emoji443] musical [emoji445] magical[emoji60] medical[emoji541] extravaganza [emoji623] into sound [emoji350] and other tips' [emoji366] [emoji375] ... [emoji6] [emoji453] Drum up interest... Dave Sent from my SM-G900F using Computer Audiophile mobile app Link to comment
mmerrill99 Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 I guess I didn't add enough buzzwords, there is a simple solution, and not enough controversy here... My next one will be AudioDoctors crazy complicated Audio Miracles... That one will be a hit. If you really want some controversy then do analogue output measurements from your DAC of the two ground configurations & let's see the measureists discuss how the measurements don't show the audible difference heard Link to comment
AudioDoctor Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 If you really want some controversy then do analogue output measurements from your DAC of the two ground configurations & let's see the measureists discuss how the measurements don't show the audible difference heard I am 100% sure I do not have the equipment to do that test. I do have ears that can hear the buzzing through my speakers though. No electron left behind. Link to comment
Middy Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 A bad case of speaker bees by the sounds of it... Under Ground in the earth mostly.... Could be costly.... [emoji344] [emoji219] [emoji219] [emoji219] Sent from my SM-G900F using Computer Audiophile mobile app Link to comment
AudioDoctor Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 A bad case of speaker bees by the sounds of it... Under Ground in the earth mostly.... Could be costly.... Sent from my SM-G900F using Computer Audiophile mobile app I don't think you read the entire thread... No electron left behind. Link to comment
Middy Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 Sorry Doc bored by a swimming pool in Spain. Buzzing earth puns is my limit.. May be we can find common ground.... [emoji10] Sent from my SM-G900F using Computer Audiophile mobile app Link to comment
Jud Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 I actually have a real life use for the answer to this question: Does "single outlet" mean one wall plate with capacity for two plugs (for instance), or does it mean one plug? In other words, can the amp be plugged directly into the wall and the power conditioner/outlet strip into the second socket in that wall plate? One never knows, do one? - Fats Waller The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. - Einstein Computer, Audirvana -> optical Ethernet to Fitlet3 -> Fibbr Alpha Optical USB -> iFi NEO iDSD DAC -> Apollon Audio 1ET400A Mini (Purifi based) -> Vandersteen 3A Signature. Link to comment
mac_and_dac Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 Oddly, I've just corrected a ground loop hum issue by removing a wire which supposedly grounded my Rel sub through one of my mono power amps. :0/ Front End: Neet Airstream Digital Processing: Chord Hugo M-Scaler DAC: Chord Dave Amplification: Cyrus Mono x300 Signatures Speakers: Kudos Titan T88 Link to comment
Middy Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 I always thought no, a double but they are on a single part of the ring main like a double extension strip..all on the same ground... The only difference is any filtering on the strip. Not sure now Jud... Sent from my SM-G900F using Computer Audiophile mobile app Link to comment
mansr Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 Oddly, I've just corrected a ground loop hum issue by removing a wire which supposedly grounded my Rel sub through one of my mono power amps. :0/ Removing a wire breaking a loop isn't all that odd. Link to comment
mmerrill99 Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 I actually have a real life use for the answer to this question: Does "single outlet" mean one wall plate with capacity for two plugs (for instance), or does it mean one plug? In other words, can the amp be plugged directly into the wall and the power conditioner/outlet strip into the second socket in that wall plate? A ground current traversing two different resistances will generate two different voltages - a ground potential. This, in essence, is why ground noise is created. If the return currents on the grounds meet the same resistance there will be no ground potential, no voltage differences generated. Plugging into the same dual socket should be using the same ground wire separated by a small distance i.e negligible difference in resistance. Plugging into two different mains sockets may well have different resistances of ground wire back to the main fuseboard for a number of reasons. I would be careful about power conditioners as they may well introduced a ground potential difference. Link to comment
AudioDoctor Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 I actually have a real life use for the answer to this question: Does "single outlet" mean one wall plate with capacity for two plugs (for instance), or does it mean one plug? In other words, can the amp be plugged directly into the wall and the power conditioner/outlet strip into the second socket in that wall plate? It is my understanding that a single outlet with 2 plugs, or more I suppose, has the same ground. Or you could get one of these: http://www.psaudio.com/products/power-port-premier/ No electron left behind. Link to comment
Jud Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 I would be careful about power conditioners as they may well introduced a ground potential difference. I've got a lot of stuff to plug in (around 14 or 15 items, I think), so a strip or a conditioner with lots of receptacles is a necessity if they're all going to go to the same place. One never knows, do one? - Fats Waller The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. - Einstein Computer, Audirvana -> optical Ethernet to Fitlet3 -> Fibbr Alpha Optical USB -> iFi NEO iDSD DAC -> Apollon Audio 1ET400A Mini (Purifi based) -> Vandersteen 3A Signature. Link to comment
mmerrill99 Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 I've got a lot of stuff to plug in (around 14 or 15 items, I think), so a strip or a conditioner with lots of receptacles is a necessity if they're all going to go to the same place. Wow, 15 devices!! This seems excessive. Are you sure they are all needed in the playback chain? How much aggregate current draw is anticipated? Link to comment
wwaldmanfan Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 I've got a lot of stuff to plug in (around 14 or 15 items, I think), so a strip or a conditioner with lots of receptacles is a necessity if they're all going to go to the same place. I've got one of these. It's a handmade, boutique product. You deal directly with the owner, who makes 'em. A bit of a splurge, but very high quality. You could buy two, and plug one into each of the duplex wall outlet sockets. Integrity Power Strip Link to comment
Hailey Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 I've got one of these. It's a handmade, boutique product. You deal directly with the owner, who makes 'em. A bit of a splurge, but very high quality.You could buy two, and plug one into each of the duplex wall outlet sockets. Integrity Power Strip This is a similar to the Shunyata Hydra series? Link to comment
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