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November 25, 2005 - 9:03am
#1
Power Cord Upgrade: Grounding & Shielding?
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Often times the ground causes more problems than it solves. Often times hums from ground loops can only be eliminated from removing the ground pin. This is why many of the new accessory chords are coming with removable, screw-out ground pins.
Once we in the electrical industry bonded the neutral to ground for safety reasons we created others like making lightning protection more difficult. Now when a lightning strike hits ground it can back feel into the ac line since it is now bonded to the neutral leg.
All should be well with what you have. It sounds like Marantz is just heading off any ground loop problems. You should enjoy your new player.
Thanks for the reply, Jim, but I am not really concerned with the power line ground connection or hum/ground loop problems. I could be perfectly happy with a two-wire cord, since the Marantz player does not have a power line ground connection anyway.
I am just curious about connecting the SHIELD of the power cord. Since the ground wire would not be connected at either end in my setup, what would be the best way to connect the shield in order to minimize both noise pickup and noise radiation?
For instance, should the shield be connected to the power line ground, or to the Marantz chassis ground, or to the preamp ground?
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Ken
I would leave it unattached. If you have no problems my rule is not to try and make any. Do not connect the shield to the power line ground.
I always keep a supply of those little gray ground lift adaptors around ever since I started using tube audio gear. Since you have "clean power" box you should have an excellent source of cleaner power.
I am surprised at some issues on AudioAsylum from owners of certain gear that pick up some stray RF once is a while. There was a recent test of a very good amp that had stray RF showing up in the scope output...considered rather strange in well designed gear these day. I would sit back and just enjoy your very nice system.
Music Direct.com has some adaptor plugs for using IEC type cords on gear like your Marantz. Check out their web site:
www.musicdirect.com