Just moved house and picked up an annoying hum on Bartok Apex, currently my only source. The only things that stop it are: unplugging mains lead, unplugging XLR output cables or plugging amps into wall and unplugging ethernet cable. What does not work is: powering off the Bartok, plugging Bartok into wall with standard IEC cable, replacing XLR cables with SE cables, replacing Audioquest Vodka with unshielded CAT 5, chaning 6v to 2v. Everything otherwise goes through Isotek Aquarius except EERO router which is plugged into wall. Any other suggestions?
Ground loops really suck! - Sorry to hear you are having an issue with your Bartok.
Is your ethernet cable a certified Cat 5e or Cat 6 (ungrounded version)? If your system is hum free without the ethernet connection (sounds like it is from your description above) then you’ve likely created a ground loop between your router and or ISP modem and your Bartok. You can easily break this loop by using an ungrounded Cat 5e ethernet cable
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Thanks - I think you are right to focus on the ethernet connection. I have moved from a TP-Link extender to EERO mesh so that might be the cause. I will see what cables I can find but I did test with a bog standard router cable as well as various more expensive ones. Do you think that plugging the EERO into the Isotek would solve the ground loop problem as everything would then be on the same circuit? I will try a couple more things first thing tomorrow.
Might be worth trying your Bartok directly into your ISP’s modem to start (if you have a long enough cat 5e ethernet cable). If that works ok, then you’ll know for sure that it is something down stream that is causing the issue.
Many of us use a pair of SFP optical modules to isolate networking gear from one’s hi fi. It shouldn’t be necessary, but may help if you are really stuck. I wouldn’t go there until you’ve figured out the source of your ground loop.