[simbloke]

Hi,
I'm finishing off my Aska 55 and I notice that in the instructions it says that connecting the chassis/mains earth to the star earth point is optional.

What do people think about this? Are there any particular pros/cons?

Regards,
Simeon

[Oz_Audio]

It all depends on Hum.

Hum can be a problem, if you have hum after building the amp, it is one of the ways to solve the problem.  It makes no other difference to the sound quality.

Mark

[Vinnie R.]

It all depends on Hum.

Hum can be a problem, if you have hum after building the amp, it is one of the ways to solve the problem.  It makes no other difference to the sound quality.

Mark

I found that when I connected the star GND to Earth GND via the wall outlet GND, it introduced hum!  When I leave the star GND disconnected from the chassis, it is much quieter.  

I also noticed that if I don't connect the L and R grounds together in my passive volume control (dact CT2), I get huge hum!  Once connected, all is well  

My system: CD PLAYER--->DACT CT2 ---> AKSA 55
and I use single ended RCA connections.

Regards,

Vinnie

[andyr]

However, DO connect the chassis ground screw to the wall outlet GND (ie. the earth pin of the IEC socket, if you are using a removable power cord).

Then you get a grounded chassis which can help to reduce hum/hash on the signal wires.

Andy

[SamL]

Well, I am going to build a wooden box for my aksa100N. I know hum can be a tricky thing but for a start should I connect the back panel which is partly aluminum & heat sink to the power outlet GRN?

Also, not knowing how hot the heat sink will get, it is safe to sit the heat sink on a piece of wood? To make it look nice, I am thinng of having a wider wooden top cover that will cover 1/2 of the top part of the heat sink. Will I have heat problem by doing so? Oh yes! I plan to have a wide face plate that will cover the full view of the heat sink from the front.

Sam

[Oz_Audio]

Hi Sam,
Timber and the AKSA work well together, I have not heat problems with my 55.

My avitar is the 55, with the heat sink out one side, I have 4 x 6mm feet on the bottom and a 15mm gap below the heat sink.  I have no bottom on the amp, my stand is timber, so no electrical problems.  

All this ventilation keeps everything cool and even at very loud, sustained listening, you can still put your hand on the heat sink.  I live in Darwin where the temp of always 32 C.

Mark

[SamL]

Thanks Mark,

Your wooden box is the one that set me off that direction. Will be sometime before I get mine ready but will you know once it is done.

Sam