®
Troubleshooting
Owner’s Reference GCC Power Amplifier Series
If you have hum or buzz
Finding a ground loop
Process of elimination
Try a cheater plug
It could be the cable TV
Blue light is too bright
If you experience a hum through the speakers this can be caused by several things. The fi rst is the source. If there is an excessive amount of buzz or noise from the loudspeaker, it may be caused by a ground loop, a light dimmer in the home, poor AC power, or any number of causes. The quickest way to determine where to start your search is to simply turn the amp off, disconnect the cables feeding its input, and see if the hum goes away when you turn it back on. If it does, it’s most likely a ground loop or buzz from a dimmer.
The easiest way to fi gure out where ground loop problems lie is by the process of elimination. You need to determine where the hum or buzz is coming from within your system.
If the hum/buzz goes away when you remove the inputs to the GCC Control Amp, your next step will be to reconnect the sources, one at a time, listening for the return of the hum. After each connection, check for hum until you discover the
humming culprit.
VCR’s, surround processors, and any device that is connected to a television cable or satellite dish can cause a loud buzz and should always be suspect. If, by the process of elimination described above, you determine it is a component like a VCR that is causing the hum/buzz to occur, and using a cheater plug or removing the ground pin on a PS xStream Power Cable doesn’t help matters, it may be necessary to isolate the cable connection (CATV) with an isolation transformer. This inexpensive device is available at most Wal Mart, Radio Shack or
department store type outlets and is sometimes called a ‘matching transformer’. If you have problems
finding one, call your local cable TV company for advice. The matching transformer will be placed between the cable TV cord and the VCR, TV or processor.
Just remember, take the system down to its simplest level of connection. Find a way to hook the system up with as many pieces of the system missing or not connected. Keep it simple and get it to the point where the hum’s gone. Then start adding back components one at a time until the hum returns.
Finding the problem is 9/10th of the work in fi nding a solution.
If the blue light is too bright, or if it is not lit but the amplifi er plays, check the rear panel of the GCC Series Power Amplifi er for the three position dimmer switch. The switch is located on the rear panel, upper left hand side as you face the rear of the unit.
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