Clicks 'n pops

[Dik Dolan]

That's a fair point Richard.
The flat is a late 50's or 60's terraced house that has been converted to flats- probably 30 years ago at a guess. It's rented, so I cant do much. I have lived here for 20 odd years, and I cant say I noticed the problem before I got my pre3/phono3 (not that I am blaming them- they just helped me identify a problem somewhere).
In fact, I listen via headphones to tv and computer stuff most of the day using another system in the living room with absolutely zero noises. My main system is in my bedroom upstairs, but shares the same meter/ring main etc.

[Shian7]

Hi Dik,

Do you know how to use an earth loop impedance tester?... It could give you a clue as to the 'health' of your mains earth (amongst onther things). If you know how to use one but don't have one available, I have one available for loan if need be.
Or anyone else for that matter.

Cheers,
Mike.

[Dik Dolan]

hmm errrr *thinks hard*... does it involve hitting things with a hammer? If not, no=)

[Shian7]

Well...using it is simple, plug it in and push a button. Interpreting what it tells you is the important bit!

[Dik Dolan]

Interpretation was never my best subject=)

Thanks very much for the offer Mike, I might take you up on it if I dont manage to fix anything. Still got a few things to try- fitting the filter into my amp, trying shielded cable inside the pre3 etc. I might dig out my tvc and another phonostage so I can see what's doing what to what and when...or something=)

[Shian7]

Oh!... and I should add - if your supply is protected by an RCD, then an earth loop impedance tester is useless, it will just trip it. Basically, it works by, errr, putting some mains voltage onto the earth and measuring the resistance/impedance of your earth.

Also, the tester has a probe to poke at things and test the earth reistance of them. This probe is potentialy deadly, it has full mains voltage on its tip!

[Dik Dolan]

Eeek =)

No RCD here, my fuse box has old style fuse wire.
I would have thought that if it was an earth problem it would be showing up with other things too, like my living room system etc.... I used to use that system in my bedroom a few years ago, and didnt notice anything then.

[Shian7]

Perfectly OK to use on a fused supply.... It would only tell you how 'good' your earthing is from a safety point of view TBH. If I lived in a flat (i used to!) I'd want to know that the mains supply was safely earthed!

I'm really not convinced about the RFI theory either, whenever I've had this sort of problem the source of all the 'noise' has been mains borne. That fact that you say it seems to be provoked by mains powered devices being switched on/off would tend to support this IMHO. RF sourced problems usually seem to be entirely random and make all sorts or weird noises in my experience.

[Dik Dolan]

I know nothing=)
I'm only guessing it's RF, because if I disconnect the interconnect to my amp, it picks up nothing, even when I deliberately hold the light switch half on and half off .I can hear a spark from the switch! So it's definitely coming down the interconnect (I think). With the pre turned off, and the interconnect in, amp on, it picks it up. With the lead only plugged into the amp end, I get a bit of mains hum (that's the only time it hums), and the switch "clicks" are reduced in volume, but still there.
But as I say, I know nuffink.... I'll try the filter in the amp tomorrow. I'll also steal some other interconnects from my brother to try. He has some nice ones that are shielded I think.

[Shian7]

Good idea.... but bear in mind, the quality of the shielding relies (to a certain extent at least) on the quality of the earthing!... 'Shields' are usually connected to an earth at some point. Except on Star Trek, of course