[jaxwired]

Hi all,

I have owned a 4B SST2 now for a couple months and I've noticed that when I turn it on, before I start playing music, the amp emits a very subtle hum.  I'm talking extremely subtle here.  I have to put my ear right up to it to hear it.  My question for everyone is, is this normal?  Of course it has no impact on the sound when music is playing.  I can't even hear it when it's dead quite in the room unless I put my ear right up to the amp.  I'm just wondering if it should happen at all.

BTW, I love this amp.   The sound is simply amazing.  I cannot imagine upgrading for years.  Instrument separation is the best I've ever heard.

[rob80b]

"4B SST2 - Should it be dead quiet?"

Only when it's turned off.
Not to be funny, but the 4B does have a pair of hefty transformers so it's actually surprising it's as quite as it is. Line hum is another issue but I'm not about to go there.

Robert

[James Tanner]

Hi all,

I have owned a 4B SST2 now for a couple months and I've noticed that when I turn it on, before I start playing music, the amp emits a very subtle hum.  I'm talking extremely subtle here.  I have to put my ear right up to it to hear it.  My question for everyone is, is this normal?  Of course it has no impact on the sound when music is playing.  I can't even hear it when it's dead quite in the room unless I put my ear right up to the amp.  I'm just wondering if it should happen at all.

BTW, I love this amp.   The sound is simply amazing.  I cannot imagine upgrading for years.  Instrument separation is the best I've ever heard.

Yes it is normal and as Rob said given the size of the transformers we use they are very quiet.  Our transformers are proprietary and specially wound and designed to be very quiet.

james

[werd]

My 14B is remarkably quiet for its size. A non issue really.

[vegasdave]

Hi all,

I have owned a 4B SST2 now for a couple months and I've noticed that when I turn it on, before I start playing music, the amp emits a very subtle hum.  I'm talking extremely subtle here.  I have to put my ear right up to it to hear it.  My question for everyone is, is this normal?  Of course it has no impact on the sound when music is playing.  I can't even hear it when it's dead quite in the room unless I put my ear right up to the amp.  I'm just wondering if it should happen at all.

BTW, I love this amp.   The sound is simply amazing.  I cannot imagine upgrading for years.  Instrument separation is the best I've ever heard.

What do you think of the BP6?

[Laundrew]

The only noise that my amplifiers emit is during power-up and it is of a very short duration “buzzing.” The 28Bs that I auditioned did not make this noise during power-up, but I believe that they were the “pre” new transformer models.

Be well…

[James Tanner]

The only noise that my amplifiers emit is during power-up and it is of a very short duration “buzzing.” The 28Bs that I auditioned did not make this noise during power-up, but I believe that they were the “pre” new transformer models.

Be well…

Hi Laundrew,

That 'buzz' is the 'softstart' circuit.  When large transformers turn on they can draw 3 to 4 times the current they need when operating so the softstart circuit prevents your circuit breakers in your fusebox from tripping.

james

[Laundrew]

Hi Laundrew,

That 'buzz' is the 'softstart' circuit.  When large transformers turn on they can draw 3 to 4 times the current they need when operating so the softstart circuit prevents your circuit breakers in your fusebox from tripping.

james

The calm before the storm…

 

Thanks James

Be well...

[Napalm]

What do you think of the BP6?

I'd say that if you don't need balanced outputs, it's the next best thing to a BP26. 

Nap. 

[predrag]

IMO the one second buzz on turning on lets you know there´s a powerplant here!
My 7`s are in operation dead quiet and are quite an achievement from engineering point.
Bryston is the most quiet electronics that I ever heard (apart from BCD1 drawer). 

[95Dyna]

IMO the one second buzz on turning on lets you know there´s a powerplant here!
My 7`s are in operation dead quiet and are quite an achievement from engineering point.
Bryston is the most quiet electronics that I ever heard (apart from BCD1 drawer). 

Ditto.  My 7's with the new transformers are dead silent after the aforementioned startup buzz.  Now if I could only get my Esoteric X-05 to stop humming on track one of every disc.......