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I have an Opera Consonance headphone amp and it hums quite loudly through the headphones. There are other reports online of the same thing so I think it's normal for this amp unfortunately. I have an Auralic solid state headphone amp here now and it doesn't hum whatsoever so I don't think I have a ground loop issue. Is there anything I can do? I've tried switching tubes and carefully adjusting the hum potentiometers.
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You have an amp with an electrolytic cap failing in the high voltage supply. This is not unusual with low cost chinese electrolytic capacitors. This amp should not hum. They quote a 90 db signal to noise ratio. Your's is no where near that and is defective.
Should it be hard to fix?
But if you haven't the knowledge to identify the failing cap and then replace it, you'll have to find someone who does. The caps themselves are not expensive.
But it could be something(s) else and, if so, would take some more time to find. I have certainly heard of cases where Chinese mfrs. think they are duplicating an existing circuit, but implement it incorrectly. Sloppy QA is another problem. But Chinese mfrs are not alone in this!
How would you recommend I go about this? I have a little soldering experience but not much. I tried to find someone locally who could fix another electronics problem once but that didn't work out. I'm up for doing it myself if that's a plausible solution but I don't know how to go about it.
I'm not familiar with amp. I wouldn't try. Just remember, to test an electrolytic or high value film cap with a DMV you have to bleed off the stored charge first. If you're not comfortable with high voltages, find another tech.
How can I find someone to ship the amp to to fix it? Preferably in the California-ish region.
Where in California are you?
Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"
Bottom third. :)
I'm in Ojai.
I'll look at it for you for free if you bring it to my house.
Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"
Sometimes I get so thoroughly fed up with the snarkiness and sniping at this place that, on two separate occasions, I've deleted my profile. Then I run across something like your post where a guy is just helping a fellow audio freak out, and it makes me realize what an asset it can be if we choose for it to be so. You've restored my faith in human nature for a while. Thank you.
You're welcome.
I may regret it though.
From what I read it could be a poorly designed power supply circuit (hums when new) and until I get it on the bench I don't know how much redesign it might need.
It should be interesting in any event.
Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"
I've worked on several modern guitar amps, which came with defective PSU caps. Not sure if the issue is storage, once built (humid, salty air) ---prior to sale. Or perhaps, poor cap manufacturer's QA/QC? A few have been "boutique" $$$ ampsReplace with new, quality caps ---> hum issues gone.
Modern day solder and soldering techniques in products, are another can-of-worms.
Good luck with the fix!
8^)
Edits: 08/31/16 08/31/16
Does the hum increase as you turn the volume up? If the hum level does not change with volume, you might have better luck with a less efficient pair of cans.What are you using as a source? Do you have the volume control turned all the way up on your source (if it has one?)
Edits: 08/25/16
The hum does not increase as I turn the volume up.
I'm using LCD-3 headphones which I believe are quite inefficient.
I'm using it with a battery-powered Red Wine Audio Bellina DAC. It does have volume control for its built-in headphone output but it does not affect the RCA output. The DAC's headphone output does not hum whatsoever.
I've tried powering the amp through a Tripp-Lite isolation transformer with no difference in hum.
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