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Ground loop hum- HELP!

Hello all,

Recently I added a Rotel RB993 power amp to my system consisting of Denon AVR2801 receiver and Pioneer DV-535 DVD player. However, hooking any interconnect up to the DVD player results in a loud buzz coming from the speakers which is audible from the listening position. Unplugging the DVD player from the power point gets rid of the buzz (although there is a very slight mechanical hum). FWIW, I don't have any cable TV, all interconnects are shielded and all components are plugged into the same circuit.

Clearly, there is a ground loop problem here. I have tried using a cheater plug on the power amp (both the Rotel and Denon have a 3-prong plug, the DVD player has a 2 prong plug), and this worked, getting rid of the buzz. However, due to safety concerns which some people voiced on another forum, I have removed this. Yesterday, I tried connecting a ground wire between the ground wire screw on the Denon, and a screw on the Rotel amps chassis. This got rid of most of the buzz, though it is *just* audible from the listening position. Connecting the ground between the amp and DVD player has the same effect. I have three questions:

1. Is it OK to use speaker wire as a ground wire?
2. Are there any other things I could try to get rid of this buzz completely?
3. Is the buzz due to the DVD player? (taking it out of the system eliminates the buzz, and it is not the only component with a 2-prong cord in the system)

Thanks for bearing with me, and hope you can help me with this annoying problem!

Mike C


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Topic - Ground loop hum- HELP! - simplex_8@yahoo.com 00:08:31 12/10/01 (7)


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