The Dynaco Tube Audio Forum

Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.
The Dynaco Tube Audio Forum

Dedicated to the restoration and preservation of all original Dynaco tube audio equipment - Customer support for Tubes4hifi VTA tube amp and preamp kits and all Dynakitparts.com products


2 posters

    Grounding wire on a Mk4?

    avatar
    Pooch


    Posts : 55
    Join date : 2009-12-01
    Age : 73
    Location : Wa

    Grounding wire on a Mk4? Empty Grounding wire on a Mk4?

    Post by Pooch Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:30 pm

    Has anybody done this? Safer or bad for the sound?
    Gord
    Bob Latino
    Bob Latino
    Admin


    Posts : 3258
    Join date : 2008-11-26
    Location : Massachusetts

    Grounding wire on a Mk4? Empty Re: Grounding wire on a Mk4?

    Post by Bob Latino Thu Dec 03, 2009 6:00 pm

    Hi Gord,

    You can TRY a 3 wire cord on any Dynaco amp but in many cases if you ground the third wire to the chassis you may cause an increase in any residual hum the amp may have. In *some* older houses the third "ground" wire is not really a true ground and there may actually be some voltage on the wire. This could happen especially if "Bubba the Electrician", the previous owner of your home, did some "custom" wiring before you bought your home.

    What I would do is note the amount of hum the amp has first WITHOUT the third ground wire. Next > attach your ground wire and note if there is any increase in the amount of noise and/or hum. If there isn't any increase then keep the wire attached. If the hum level or noise goes up then just remove the third ground wire.

    Bob

      Current date/time is Tue Mar 19, 2024 4:55 am