Forums - ZRock2 causing buzz in left channel

milkplus

Verified Member

Posts: 33

ZRock2 causing buzz in left channel
02/25/25 at 15:22:27

I recently picked up a secondhand CSP2+ which has been sounding great in my system. My chain currently works as so: source (streamer/DAC or turntable) -> CSP2+ -> Zrock 2 -> UFO25

Unfortunately, it seems to have coincided with the introduction of some buzzing in my left speaker. I've narrowed it down to the Zrock being the culprit as when I flip the bypass switch the buzzing disappears. The odd thing is, however, that the buzzing only appears when I push the volume on the left channel on my UFO25 past one o'clock.

Any lower than that and things are fine. Heck, I could even probably live with things this way as the CSP allows me to get plenty loud without needing to adjust the volume on the UFO25 any further, but I guess I'm concerned that I'm compromising some headroom by not being able to do so.

I've tried switching tubes and interconnects but sadly, no dice I also briefly tried taking the Zrock out of the system completely and that was successful. Of course I'd rather keep it in play as I love what it brings to the table. The only thing I haven't tried is to revert the system back to how it was before the CSP by taking it out to see if the buzz is still there (it wasn't originally). Something that will need to be reserved for when the family is not in the house.

Could it possibly be something to do with the Zrock being after the CSP in my signal chain? To be honest, it sounds maybe like a ground loop, but then why would it only be on one channel and then only after a certain volume?

Am a little stumped on how to proceed....

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Lyngdorf TDAI 1120 (streamer/DAC)/Rega RP8 (w/ TNG-Spinner platter + isolation feet) -> Hegel V10 -> ZRock2 -> CSP2+ -> UFO25 -> Zu Audio DW6 Superfly/Hifiman Arya Organic/Sennheiser HD800

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Geno Seasoned Member Without music, life would be a mistake. Posts: 2203	Re: ZRock2 causing buzz in left channel Reply #1 - 02/25/25 at 17:54:20 Hi Milk. Is the hum the same using the streamer as it is with the turntable? And what are you using for a phono pre?
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milkplus Verified Member Posts: 33	Re: ZRock2 causing buzz in left channel Reply #2 - 02/25/25 at 18:04:23 Hi Geno. Yes, it's the same regardless of which input the CSP is using - and it's more of a buzz than a hum, to be honest. My phonostage is a Hegel V10 and I'm using a Lyngdorf TDAI 1120 as a streamer/DAC - I just turn off the amp and preamp section of the Lyngdorf.
Back to top	Lyngdorf TDAI 1120 (streamer/DAC)/Rega RP8 (w/ TNG-Spinner platter + isolation feet) -> Hegel V10 -> ZRock2 -> CSP2+ -> UFO25 -> Zu Audio DW6 Superfly/Hifiman Arya Organic/Sennheiser HD800 IP Logged

Geno Seasoned Member Without music, life would be a mistake. Posts: 2203	Re: ZRock2 causing buzz in left channel Reply #3 - 02/25/25 at 18:42:51 More of a buzz does sound more like a ground loop. Have you tried moving the interconnects a bit, while music is playing, to see if it alters the buzz any?
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Donnie Seasoned Member Why does it hurt when I pee? Posts: 2319	Re: ZRock2 causing buzz in left channel Reply #4 - 02/25/25 at 20:42:49 Make sure that everything is plugged into the same electrical circuit.
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milkplus

Verified Member

Posts: 33

Re: ZRock2 causing buzz in left channel
Reply #5 - 02/25/25 at 22:30:21

So, I decided to place the ZRock before the CSP2+ and now the buzz is gone! But, tbh, I'm unsure if this because of the placement or because I fiddled around with the interconnects.

I guess at least I managed to prove that it is fixable. I suppose I'll try and put things back to the way they were and see if the buzz comes back, that way I'll know for sure...

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Lyngdorf TDAI 1120 (streamer/DAC)/Rega RP8 (w/ TNG-Spinner platter + isolation feet) -> Hegel V10 -> ZRock2 -> CSP2+ -> UFO25 -> Zu Audio DW6 Superfly/Hifiman Arya Organic/Sennheiser HD800

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milkplus

Verified Member

Posts: 33

Re: ZRock2 causing buzz in left channel
Reply #6 - 02/25/25 at 23:03:46

Ahh nope. Looks like it is dependent on where the Zrock is placed on the signal chain. I swapped it back in between the CSP and the UFO25 and the buzz is back, sadly.

A bit annoying as if like to use the ZRock for both my streamer and turntable. I guess I can still do that by using my Schiit SYS between my sources and the ZRock but that sort of defeats the purpose of having two inputs on the preamp. Such a shame! Anyone know why this might be happening? I still find it odd that it's only on the left channel...

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Lyngdorf TDAI 1120 (streamer/DAC)/Rega RP8 (w/ TNG-Spinner platter + isolation feet) -> Hegel V10 -> ZRock2 -> CSP2+ -> UFO25 -> Zu Audio DW6 Superfly/Hifiman Arya Organic/Sennheiser HD800

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mrchipster

Senior Member

Posts: 84

Re: ZRock2 causing buzz in left channel
Reply #7 - 02/26/25 at 01:32:41

milkplus,

I had a similar issue when I received my Zrock2 last year. The buzz in my case affected both channels equally. I have no idea why. Like your case, it happens when the Zrock2 is put between the CSP3 (A mods) and the UFO25. I tried that first since I wanted both sources (TT and streamer/DAC) to be able to use the Zrock2 through the CSP3. (thus, utilizing both inputs easily). The buzz was audible at the listening position, so not acceptable. Not sure why in an all Decware system it would have an issue but like you, I also like what it brings to the table. The solution for me was to put it between the source (streamer) and CSP3 like you did. But then, you would need to switch connections into the Zrock2 between the 2 sources instead. Since I mostly listen to the streamer/DAC and my Zrock2 is easily accessible, I have no problem doing that. Unfortunately, some people won't find it as easy. I still need to have the gain just right throughout the system for the buzz to be minor to the point where I can only hear it if I get within 12-18" from the speaker. (I have fairly sensitive speakers @ 101db). Using it this way is still worth it for me as I really like the enhanced sound I can get from it.

It's interesting you only get a buzz in one channel though. Hopefully you can find a solution but if not, hopefully you can live with swapping the sources around and enjoy the sound the Zrock2 brings.

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SE84UFO25 - CSP3 (A-mods)
ZROCK2 (A-mods) - ZBIT
Cambridge Audio CXN V2 (ModWright)
Cambridge Audio CXC
Zu Audio Soul Supremes
VIABLUE IC's & Spkr cables ; DSR3 IC's
Audio-Technica TT

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Donnie Seasoned Member Why does it hurt when I pee? Posts: 2319	Re: ZRock2 causing buzz in left channel Reply #8 - 02/26/25 at 02:29:49 This video has a lot of ideas on how to stop 60 cycle hum. It might not be what you need to fix your current problem but it does talk about it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpXFaVAITsU&t=96s&ab_channel=Angela-GilbertYeung...
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milkplus

Verified Member

Posts: 33

Re: ZRock2 causing buzz in left channel
Reply #9 - 02/26/25 at 18:43:16

Thanks for the input, mrchipster. In one way I'm glad it's not just me that had this issue, but obviously it's not great for everyone in the grand scheme of things. And sorry to hear you never got it sorted..

I managed to slot in the Schiit Sys before the Zrock2 and the CSP2+ and that seems to be working for now. The volume on both the Streamer and TT are waaaay off each other though, so I'm still trying to work out a good balance of the input and output gains. There's definitely a learning curve to it, but I like what both the CSP and the ZRock bring to the table so I'm willing to put in the work!

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Lyngdorf TDAI 1120 (streamer/DAC)/Rega RP8 (w/ TNG-Spinner platter + isolation feet) -> Hegel V10 -> ZRock2 -> CSP2+ -> UFO25 -> Zu Audio DW6 Superfly/Hifiman Arya Organic/Sennheiser HD800

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