Exclusive to our Substack subscribers, we host a weekly Q&A every Monday. Our team of veteran writers, reviewers, and editors hand select a few to answer every Friday. Perhaps you’re having trouble with a specific amplifier, or desire a deeper understanding of transmission line speakers, from the general to the specific, post your questions here and come back on Friday to see them answered!
What is the potential for DC on mains to damage an amplifier? For example, we have a Hegel H390 integrated amplifier. On their website Hegel already notes that there will be transformer noise - and yes, I can hear it. I have been measuring DC voltage on the AC line with my digital meter and it is consistently around 170 - 220 millivolts. I do have a DC blocker that can handle 15 amp loads so I am not current limiting the amp and when I use it, the transformer is totally silent. If I wanted to keep the DC blocker out of the power supply chain, is 170-220 millivolts potentially damaging to an amp?
What is the potential for DC on mains to damage an amplifier? For example, we have a Hegel H390 integrated amplifier. On their website Hegel already notes that there will be transformer noise - and yes, I can hear it. I have been measuring DC voltage on the AC line with my digital meter and it is consistently around 170 - 220 millivolts. I do have a DC blocker that can handle 15 amp loads so I am not current limiting the amp and when I use it, the transformer is totally silent. If I wanted to keep the DC blocker out of the power supply chain, is 170-220 millivolts potentially damaging to an amp?