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  1. #1

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    Default Power Supply Technical Question

    I have a Squeezebox Touch and use an ELPAC power supply with the Bolder mods. Recently I've started hearing a buzzing sound from withing the power supply itself. I sent an email to Bolder Cable and received the following response:

    If you are hearing a buzzing sound, it is most likely the laminations on the transformer have dried out. There is nothing that can be done, at this point. The ELPAC WM-220 is not made any longer and there are no parts available for it.
    Can someone translate that into English for me? Can I still safely use this power supply, or should I toss it and start looking for another one?
    Main HT
    Magnepan 1.6QR fronts, PSB Image B4 surrounds, Pioneer SC-25, Parasound Halo A23, Oppo BDP-83 SE, Airport Express w/ Peachtree DAC, Sony KDL-55HX850, Sony PS3, Apple TV

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    Office Rig
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  2. #2

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    Transformers do sometimes buzz. Though it isn't really unsafe, it can be quite annoying.

  3. #3

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    Quote Originally Posted by AsSiMiLaTeD View Post
    I have a Squeezebox Touch and use an ELPAC power supply with the Bolder mods. Recently I've started hearing a buzzing sound from withing the power supply itself. I sent an email to Bolder Cable and received the following response:



    Can someone translate that into English for me? Can I still safely use this power supply, or should I toss it and start looking for another one?
    ELPAC's are notorious for humming and there is nothing that can be done and I believe if you read Boulders disclaimer you'll find they are not responsible for a "hummer".

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass

    Pass Aleph 30; Adcom GFP750/Dared SL2000A; Adcom GDA600; MIT S3/Z Pc; SDA 1C; Squeezebox; Tubes add soul!

  4. #4

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    It's safe to use, but you may need to bury it if the hum bothers you when listening. I am assuming the hum is at the transformer and not through the speakers. You could try opening it up and sometimes tightening it to whatever it's mounted on can reduce the hum. My Welborn Labs has a very slight hum, it just needs to be tightend down a bit.

    No English translation needed. Iron Core transfomers have a higher instance of humming (actually the windings vibrating) than torrodial transformers.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass

    Pass Aleph 30; Adcom GFP750/Dared SL2000A; Adcom GDA600; MIT S3/Z Pc; SDA 1C; Squeezebox; Tubes add soul!

  5. #5

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    I'm not blaming Bolder or asking them to do anything as they've already said nothing can be done, I just wantedto know if its safe to use. The buzzing doesn't bother me at all because it's hidden away, I only found it this weekend because I was cleaning back there.

    Thanks for your replies, I may open it up this weekend and take a peek
    Main HT
    Magnepan 1.6QR fronts, PSB Image B4 surrounds, Pioneer SC-25, Parasound Halo A23, Oppo BDP-83 SE, Airport Express w/ Peachtree DAC, Sony KDL-55HX850, Sony PS3, Apple TV

    Bedroom System
    Polk Blackstone TL3, Polk PSWi225 Wireless Sub, HK 3490 Integrated, Oppo BDP-83, Sharp Aquos 32" TV, Apple TV

    Office Rig
    27" iMac w/Amarra, Peachtree DAC-IT, Focal XS Book, Schiit Valhalla > Sennheiser HD600, Schiit Lyr > HiFiMan HE0500, LG 47LM7600, Sony PS3, XBOX 360, Apple TV

  6. #6

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    And yes, the humming is inside the unit itself, nothing coming through the speakers
    Main HT
    Magnepan 1.6QR fronts, PSB Image B4 surrounds, Pioneer SC-25, Parasound Halo A23, Oppo BDP-83 SE, Airport Express w/ Peachtree DAC, Sony KDL-55HX850, Sony PS3, Apple TV

    Bedroom System
    Polk Blackstone TL3, Polk PSWi225 Wireless Sub, HK 3490 Integrated, Oppo BDP-83, Sharp Aquos 32" TV, Apple TV

    Office Rig
    27" iMac w/Amarra, Peachtree DAC-IT, Focal XS Book, Schiit Valhalla > Sennheiser HD600, Schiit Lyr > HiFiMan HE0500, LG 47LM7600, Sony PS3, XBOX 360, Apple TV

  7. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by AsSiMiLaTeD View Post
    I'm not blaming Bolder or asking them to do anything as they've already said nothing can be done, I just wantedto know if its safe to use. The buzzing doesn't bother me at all because it's hidden away, I only found it this weekend because I was cleaning back there.

    Thanks for your replies, I may open it up this weekend and take a peek
    Yes, it's fine to use. The windings are glued and when the glue dries out sometimes the windings vibrate slightly. The reason they usually can't be repaired is typically the glue dries out closer to the iron core where there is more heat generated so it's several layers beneath the surface.

    That's my understanding anyway, I'm sure if I'm partially incorrect someone will come along and explain it.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass

    Pass Aleph 30; Adcom GFP750/Dared SL2000A; Adcom GDA600; MIT S3/Z Pc; SDA 1C; Squeezebox; Tubes add soul!

  8. #8

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    daubyPaky l'ordure thai escroc a ?t? rapport

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