If it's a mechanical buzz, and not a hum heard through the speakers, the
most likely suspect is the power transformer. All transformers hum, just
some are worse that others, and a few are _really_ bad.

In a very quiet room, and especially if your head is very close, it's
possible any transformer of any size would be noticeable.


Mark Z.


"Mowgli" wrote in message
news
Hi

I've been upgrading from a Awai boombox. Pretty easy task.

I'm using my wife's Pioneer receiver until I can afford some used Adcom
gear. I set up my listening room in the basement where it's dead quiet at
night. She's sleeping at the other side of the house so I keep it to a
dull
roar.

I read my Stephen King Dark Tower books in my old overstuffed easy chair &
ottoman with a lone 40 watt bulb suspended over my head.
I actually listen pretty softly because the music distracts me if it's
loud.

When I'm reading I typically play:

Miles Davis-Johnny Winter-Grateful Dead-Beethovan-Jeff Beck-Little Feat

The receiver is close to my head and it hums.
No, not along with the music. I'm reading not tripping.
It's not noticable when I'm cranking ZZ Top or Stones or whatever during
the
day. Just sorta buzzes when I'm quietly reading. It bugs me.
I shut off the CD player and no change, it's definitely the receiver.
It doesn't matter what source I choose, if it's on-it's buzzing.
Is this typical for a receiver to noticably hum/buzz?
Would a better, vintage receiver like a Sansui 9090DB or Marantz do that?

Please help

Thanks,
Mowgli

"Mowgli" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 7 Dec 2004 04:03:21 -0600, Mark D. Zacharias's fingers viciously
stabbed at an innocent keyboard to form the now famous if slightly awkward
haiku:

If it's a mechanical buzz, and not a hum heard through the speakers, the
most likely suspect is the power transformer. All transformers hum, just
some are worse that others, and a few are _really_ bad.

The buzz is coming from the unit, not the speakers.

In a very quiet room, and especially if your head is very close, it's
possible any transformer of any size would be noticeable.

I'd move the equipment to the other side of the room but I listen to radio
sometimes and hate commercials. There's no remote so I'd have to keep
getting up to change stations. Hmmm, maybe build a stereo cabinet with a
glass door. That'd give me something to do with the full sheet of 3/4"
black
walnut plywood I got for a song.
I read somewhere that wood cabs resonate. what's the real deal?


A given wood enclosure will tend to resonate at a given frequency determined
by it's size and I suppose other factors, but I would think enclosing your
Pioneer would reduce the buzz sound you hear. Be sure to provide adequate
ventilation, though, or you could have problems from that.

Mark Z.

"Mark D. Zacharias" wrote in message news:...

"Mowgli" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 7 Dec 2004 04:03:21 -0600, Mark D. Zacharias's fingers viciously
stabbed at an innocent keyboard to form the now famous if slightly
awkward
haiku:

If it's a mechanical buzz, and not a hum heard through the speakers, the
most likely suspect is the power transformer. All transformers hum, just
some are worse that others, and a few are _really_ bad.

The buzz is coming from the unit, not the speakers.

In a very quiet room, and especially if your head is very close, it's
possible any transformer of any size would be noticeable.

I'd move the equipment to the other side of the room but I listen to
radio
sometimes and hate commercials. There's no remote so I'd have to keep
getting up to change stations. Hmmm, maybe build a stereo cabinet with a
glass door. That'd give me something to do with the full sheet of 3/4"
black
walnut plywood I got for a song.
I read somewhere that wood cabs resonate. what's the real deal?


A given wood enclosure will tend to resonate at a given frequency
determined by it's size and I suppose other factors, but I would think
enclosing your Pioneer would reduce the buzz sound you hear. Be sure to
provide adequate ventilation, though, or you could have problems from
that.

Mark Z.


P.S.

Rubber washers or grommets mounted under the power transformer might help.

Mark Z.

On Wed, 08 Dec 2004 22:55:03 -0500, Mowgli wrote:
On Tue, 7 Dec 2004 16:48:17 -0600, Mark D. Zacharias's fingers viciously
stabbed at an innocent keyboard to form the now famous if slightly awkward
haiku:



P.S.

Rubber washers or grommets mounted under the power transformer might help.

Mark Z.


I'll try it if they're not some already there.

Only if the mounting screws are loose. Most likely the transformer is a
piece of junk and is rattling itself to pieces.

"TCS" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 08 Dec 2004 22:55:03 -0500, Mowgli
wrote:
On Tue, 7 Dec 2004 16:48:17 -0600, Mark D. Zacharias's fingers viciously
stabbed at an innocent keyboard to form the now famous if slightly awkward
haiku:



P.S.

Rubber washers or grommets mounted under the power transformer might
help.

Mark Z.


I'll try it if they're not some already there.

Only if the mounting screws are loose. Most likely the transformer is a
piece of junk and is rattling itself to pieces.

My thought was that the receiver's entire chassis might resonate or act as a
sounding board. IF this were true, rubber insulation might help. Wouldn't
help much at all with transformer laminations buzzing.

Mark Z.

"Mowgli" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 9 Dec 2004 05:16:44 -0600, Mark D. Zacharias's fingers viciously
stabbed at an innocent keyboard to form the now famous if slightly awkward
haiku:
Only if the mounting screws are loose. Most likely the transformer is a
piece of junk and is rattling itself to pieces.
My thought was that the receiver's entire chassis might resonate or act as
a
sounding board. IF this were true, rubber insulation might help. Wouldn't
help much at all with transformer laminations buzzing.

Mark Z.

D'OH!

I took the cover off and listened very carefully.
It sounded like something was spinning up when I started the receiver.
It seemed to be coming from the direction of that little computer sized
fan.
!!!
I unplugged the fan and " " ===dead silence
lol
The circuit boards are arranged like a little wind tunnel with the fan at
the front and the cover's vent grill at the back.
It does produce some heat when I'm cranking it so the fan stays.

I'd suggest getting the Rolling Stones bootleg "Ahmet Artegun (Thank You
Kindly)" from 1972, it's a very good soundboard and a great performance.
That'll produce some heat.
But back to receivers: an old Marantz or Sansui 9090db prolly won't have a
fan in it so my wife can have her Pioneer back and I can get on with
reading
creepy books with minimal light and a quiet background soundtrack.

Thanks for the input,
Mowgli

Sometimes those fans get noisier with age. A new one might be quieter.

Mark Z.

Have the grommets hardened with age? Common problem with old record changer
motor mounts.
Mark
"Mowgli" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 7 Dec 2004 16:48:17 -0600, Mark D. Zacharias's fingers viciously
stabbed at an innocent keyboard to form the now famous if slightly awkward
haiku:



P.S.

Rubber washers or grommets mounted under the power transformer might
help.

Mark Z.


I'll try it if they're not some already there.

Thanks,
Mowgli

There wouldn't have been any grommets installed originally.

mz


"Mark Oppat" wrote in message
...
Have the grommets hardened with age? Common problem with old record
changer
motor mounts.
Mark
"Mowgli" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 7 Dec 2004 16:48:17 -0600, Mark D. Zacharias's fingers viciously
stabbed at an innocent keyboard to form the now famous if slightly
awkward
haiku:



P.S.

Rubber washers or grommets mounted under the power transformer might
help.

Mark Z.


I'll try it if they're not some already there.

Thanks,
Mowgli

it's not the transformer actually that is vibrating, it's either the
filaments (primary and secondary) or the laminations, a transformer is not a
motor;in our old refrigerator the motor was doing dough-dough every time it
stopped, because they forgot to put grommets."A transformer is an electrical
machine without moving parts, that its purpose is to convert potential from
low to high or opposite"(quote:book of electrical machines I).I am giving
away an old amplifier in mint condition (no humming), anyone coming to
greece?

--
Tzortzakakis Dimitriïs
major in electrical engineering, freelance electrician
FH von Iraklion-Kreta, freiberuflicher Elektriker
dimtzort AT otenet DOT gr
Ï "Mark Oppat" Ýãñáøå óôï ìÞíõìá
...
Have the grommets hardened with age? Common problem with old record
changer
motor mounts.
Mark
"Mowgli" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 7 Dec 2004 16:48:17 -0600, Mark D. Zacharias's fingers viciously
stabbed at an innocent keyboard to form the now famous if slightly
awkward
haiku:



P.S.

Rubber washers or grommets mounted under the power transformer might
help.

Mark Z.


I'll try it if they're not some already there.

Thanks,
Mowgli