Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Other Stuff => Solid State => Topic started by: dpm309 on January 09, 2024, 01:19:43 pm

Title: Trace Elliot GP12 Humming
Post by: dpm309 on January 09, 2024, 01:19:43 pm
Working on a Trace Elliot GP12 250 SMX which has a noticeable hum. Replaced the 2 4700uf 63V filter caps and it reduced the hum somewhat. The owner wants me to replace the toroidal power transformer in order to reduce or eliminate the hum. Having a hard time finding a replacement except for British Audio who might have an old one laying around for $100 plus shipping. I don't think a replacement transformer will reduce the hum any further. From what I have found out on the internet is that it could be a shielding issue or the fact that the amp is almost 30 years old and some of the components are drifting or failing. Any other ideas? I had Doug upload the schematic to his schematic library.
Thanks
Title: Re: Trace Elliot GP12 Humming
Post by: PRR on January 10, 2024, 01:16:20 pm
Which controls affect the hum?
Title: Re: Trace Elliot GP12 Humming
Post by: dpm309 on January 11, 2024, 01:08:05 pm
Both gain and volume controls affect the hum. It even hums on standby. The ground lift switch does very little to reduce the hum.
Title: Re: Trace Elliot GP12 Humming
Post by: shooter on January 11, 2024, 02:11:01 pm
have you tried to jack in a signal at the FX returns?
does stereo/mono switch change anything?
you got one complicated pile o stuff in that amp  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: Trace Elliot GP12 Humming
Post by: dpm309 on January 11, 2024, 05:08:03 pm
Tell me about it. I usually don't work on SS amps but am doing this for a friend. I don't have the amp right at the moment but will definitely try some more troubleshooting when I get it back. Also might try some shielding around the PT.
Title: Re: Trace Elliot GP12 Humming
Post by: PRR on January 12, 2024, 03:35:45 pm
Both gain and volume controls affect the hum. It even hums on standby. The ground lift switch does very little to reduce the hum.

It has multiple issues. I hate to shotgun an amp but it may be time. It may be tedious as one hum-fix un-masks a next layer of hum.

I'd also ask for clarity: does it hum in the speaker or right from the chassis? Perhaps both, but as you re-cap the speaker hum you may come down to transformer hum.