BPT Buzz??

BikeWNC · « **Reply #40 on:** 9 Dec 2003, 06:40 pm »

Marbles,

Yes, I put everything back together this morning. I was able to configure the rack such that the Monoblocks are on each side and the center has the preamp, transport, dac and Tact. The BPT and preamp power supply are behind the rack. All is quiet except for a very little bit of what I think is tube buzz when the volume is near max. I can easily live with that and may eventually move some tubes around in the preamp or try some dampeners. Thanks for your help.

Andy

satfrat · « **Reply #41 on:** 9 Dec 2003, 06:57 pm »

All's well that ends well. Don't ya just love happy endings? It's downright emotional.

Regards, Robin

Marbles · « **Reply #42 on:** 9 Dec 2003, 07:04 pm »

Andy, that's great.

I can recommend Herbies Tube dampeners ($10 each) and Panda feet sorbathane feet ($20 for a set of 4)

With both of those modes, that tube hum should go away, unless there is something wrong with the pre or the tubes.

EDIT: just noticed your pre(VERY NICE!!!)...I doubt there is anything wrong with the pre.

If you still have a hum or tube buzz after you try Herbies and Pandas, then it might be a tube going.

BikeWNC · « **Reply #43 on:** 9 Dec 2003, 07:10 pm »

Well, Robin, I still have a hum in the BPT which if I remember correctly was the original point of this thread. On the other hand, as my system is now configured I can't hear it from my listening position. I hate to think about shipping the unit cause it's like 70 lbs as you know. Whatever I do it won't be before the holidays.

Another benefit of the way the rack is now configured, not as tall, is a better more balanced image. I knew a tall rack between the speakers was a problem, I just didn't realize how much of one till now.

satfrat · « **Reply #44 on:** 10 Dec 2003, 04:39 am »

Damn,,,, you had me believing all was quiet instead of just being better than it was. Sorry to hear this, there should be absolutely no hum from these units. Let us know how it turns out if you decide to sent it back please.

Regards, Robin

BikeWNC · « **Reply #45 on:** 10 Dec 2003, 05:00 am »

Marbles,

It really is a nice preamp. Natural in every sense. I wonder how much better the reference version could be? I hope to get some Herbie's for Xmas and I'll give the Pandafeet a try also. The good thing about the tubes in this preamp is that they are not expensive to replace. But the buzz is so very low and can only be heard at very high gain where I never ever push the Extreme Monos. So other than from a perfectionist's point of view it is really not a problem. But I will try to identify the cause because that is what we do.

Robin,

The hum from the BPT is a low level annoyance that I agree should not be there. Aside from the hum it's a great unit. I'll let you know how it turns out. At least the RFI hum through the speakers is gone. That was a major PITA.

Andy

satfrat · « **Reply #46 on:** 10 Dec 2003, 05:34 am »

As a thought Andy if you decide not to send it back, you might want to open her up and do what I've done on my BP2.5,,, add dampening sheets and more ERS. Never enough of either in a BPT as Chris Hoff's Signature will attest to. I have 19 sheet of ERS in mine and used vinyl dampening sheets from Parts Express. Around the transformer shield, I layered ERS with aluminum tape. I did this same thing around the input/output transformer wires and finished off with electrical tape. And for the killer touch, I got the clear aluminum faceplate for my black BP2.5 that just sets it off in my rack. Like I said, just some thoughts for ya.

Regards, Robin

Marbles · « **Reply #47 on:** 10 Dec 2003, 01:23 pm »

Quote from: Tsunami

Marbles,

It really is a nice preamp. Natural in every sense. I wonder how much better the reference version could be? I hope to get some Herbie's for Xmas and I'll give the Pandafeet a try also. The good thing about the tubes in this preamp is that they are not expensive to replace. But the buzz is so very low and can only be heard at very high gain where I never ever push the Extreme Monos. So other than from a perfectionist's point of view it is really not a problem. But I will try to identify ...

Andy,

I've had that pre in my system and really liked it. First class all the way.
When it was in my system it was very very quiet..no noise that I could hear.

BikeWNC · « **Reply #48 on:** 10 Dec 2003, 03:13 pm »

You know Rob, it is possible that my system is picking up the buzz from the BPT and it's not the preamp at all. Next time I move things around I'll remove the BPT and see if the buzz is still there.

Andy