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And I definitely don't want to think about what it'd be like if you lived in an apartment or dorm!

No, sir, you do not. I installed all new outlets (HG for the audio) and use a power conditioner, but I know it's still compromised.

On the plus side, I live on the ground and my floors are concrete. However, I live above the hot water heater and washer/dryer. It's give-and-take.

Electricity is indeed weird, fascinating stuff.

Congrats on finding the source of the problem.

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Electricity is indeed weird, fascinating stuff.

Congrats on finding the source of the problem.

The interesting point..is that Ben Franklin got it wrong.

He had a coin toss to get it right (joke), ie 50-50 chance. He called one post the positive terminal and the other the negative.

Now, many or most electrical textbooks are done his way, with regards to the direction of flow as an electrical function.

Then there is the second textbook, identical as the first..but with the electrical flow directions reversed.

This is because Ben Franklin got it exactly wrong and the flow is in reverse, and the energy flows out of the ground. That textbook is called the 'Electron Flow Version' of the given electrical scholastic text. Some say it makes no difference in electrical design, as they say it makes no difference what the polarity is in Einstein's work (Einstein says he might have got the polarity wrong) but it definitely does.

For example some think, when they design gear or routing of energy..that they are 'shunting down the drain' when enacting a high quality grounding system..but really..all they are doing is creating a excellent high quality pathway for conduction, if they analyze the electron flow considerations. Totally different viewpoint on the integrity, quality and reasons for grounding is the end result. Same as the analysis of polarity change in Einstein's work, if analyzed with the right eyes.

Sometimes, due to a circuit layout and design, a ground is just a ground - but in some circuits, it can take on a life of it's own. Sometimes it's best to commit to the mental exercise of thinking of it as being some giant resonant multi-chambered horn..and just exactly what end are you blowing into to activate the thing? And, depending on what end..what is the result?

Does any audio circuit designer not accept this?

When solving a circuit diagram you must consider the direction of flow. When contemplating grounding schemes you must consider the effectiveness of the ground plane, etc.

Of course there are always hacks, but this sounds like pretty basic stuff.

It is basic, but for some reason, some don't seem to get it. You can look inside the gear and see that, plain as day.

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... but this sounds like pretty basic stuff.

Yes, you guys are correct...this is basic theory. But all too often people forget the basics. As they say: When all else fails, read the instructions.

You may want to consider the Granite Audio Ground Zero:
http://www.graniteaudio.com/zero/index.html
This device has worked well in my system.
If you have any audio-visual (cable) connection to your system, there is agood chance that this can also be the source of the hum.
Jensen makes the Iso-Max CI2RR which really helps as well.
Good luck on losing the noise.
Mike

"The lesson I learned was if at all possible find the actual source of the problem, and get rid if it (again if possible)."

dbowker, your statement above rings true for most all situations...especially audio!