Looking for advice

[Bean2011]

Thanks Raven. May I ask what a tube buffer is.

[blackraven]

Thanks Raven. May I ask what a tube buffer is.

Here, this explains it-


Purity Audio Design Harmony Tube Buffer FAQ

Before buying a tube buffer (there are a few to choose from like Yaqin or Grant Fidelity among others) be sure that an impedance mismatch is the problem so you don't waste money. What are you hearing to think that it is a mismatch?

[Bean2011]

Just hum. I just thought I tried everything else. Also seems like the guy in the quoted thread had a similar issue. I am planning on joining Onkyo support forum to ask my specific question.
You are. The tube buffers are expensive. Need to be sure.

[Bean2011]

I just tried something else. I have OPPO dvd and cd in addition to an old CD player. Old CD worked fine. OPPO, however, produces the same volume hum as the Onkyo, except you can actually hear the sound of music clearly. In the case of Onkyo nothing but hum.

[blackraven]

I would like you to try something. Do any of your CD or DVD player's that makes the hum have a digital out put like an optical out? If so, connect it to the Onkyo via one of the digital optical inputs and see if you get a hum. My bet is that you don't get the hum and that it may be an issue with the RCA input on the Onkyo.

On last thing. Have you tried plugging the CD player into another electrical socket that is on a different circuit? You may need a long ext. cord.

[Bean2011]

I ran the Oppo using RCA cables through preamp - amp. It works with Onkyo well. No issues. I just wanted to hear how it sounds using Nak. I will try a different outlet for the Oppo.

[Bean2011]

Plugged into a separate outlet using a long extension cord. Same issue. When I put RCA cable into OPPO or ONKYO speakers hum loudly. Tuner with the same cable work well.