AV Hell

Posted by: Harris V on 23 August 2001

I have been trying for 6 months (no, i'm not exaggerating) to find a solution to this little problem but have resisted posting it until now because it's not just a Naim problem.

Basically when i plug my DVD or TV into my Nait the hum is extremely loud. It gets louder as i turn the volume up to the extent that it is as loud as the dialogue/music.

So far I have changed my TV (i now have a big widescreen jobbie), Scart leads, phono to DIN interconnects and mains leads on all my equipment. NOTHING BLOODY WORKS. This also happenned to my old non Naim amp but slightly less so. I am even scared to buy a posh multi channel amp in case it does it too and i have wasted even more money.

PS My CD player, tuner and turntable are fine!

Posted on: 23 August 2001 by Guido

Hi Harris!

Try this: unplug the power (physically) of the AV component(s).
Does the hum stop?
If yes, the hum is caused by wrong earthing.
Disconnect the earthing at either av side - rca plugs or at the naim side at the DIN plug.
As this is audio ground electrical safety is not altered.
Hope this helps
Best regards
Guido

Posted on: 23 August 2001 by Martin M

If so, the contractor may have earthed these seperate to the main earth. This would cause a hum on the hi-fi when the two earth potentials are connected togther. Does the hum exist if you only connect the DVD player (ie the DVD player has no connection to the TV?)?

If so there is a piece of kit that will get rid o the effect, it costs $40, but I can't remeber its name. I'll try to remember.....

Posted on: 23 August 2001 by Mike Hanson

Yes, you've definitely got a ground loop. I suspect that it's related to your coax cable's ground. Here's a good thread on the subject: Buzz!.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-