The BMU Bandits

[Fretless]

Found the problem - and it is the PSU of the Schitt Magni3 headphone amp. This power supply is a large wall-wart and I'm not sure if it is a switching unit or linear. But when I plug it into a non-BMU mains socket the amp is deathly quiet in the background and back to seriously enjoyable music-making.

Just a heads up-for anyone else with a similar setup.

[TheMadMick]

"Atlhifi is the place I think, well that's where I got mine from..."

Thanks for that. I just ordered one to stop my BMU buzzing gently in the background. I'll post the outcome when it arrives.

[scotty38]

"Atlhifi is the place I think, well that's where I got mine from..."

Thanks for that. I just ordered one to stop my BMU buzzing gently in the background. I'll post the outcome when it arrives.

Probably a bit late but no doubt you worked it out anyway...

There are different levels of DC blocker, or rather the amount of "blocking" they'll do based on the capacitance and "beefiness" of the unit. ATL do two versions just in case you need more. There's also a Swedish firm, whose name escapes me right now, that do an even bigger one. Much more expensive though....

[CN211276]

I bought the DC blocker the Doc recommended from the link he provided. Cost around £80 from Bulgaria and there has been no buzzing since.

[scotty38]

I bought the DC blocker the Doc recommended from the link he provided. Cost around £80 from Bulgaria and there has been no buzzing since.

Yes that's the one I have. I seem to recall a claim to fame may be that I highlighted them to the Doc....

[Fretless]

The thing about the BMU is - it puts the analogue back into digital.

Playing modern remastered CD versions of old classics, I am constantly taken back to the first time I heard the LP.

Now listening to that hoary old workhorse Supertramp's `Crime of the Century' and it's like I'm a teenager and falling in love with the music all over again.

[karatestu]

The thing about the BMU is - it puts the analogue back into digital.

Playing modern remastered CD versions of old classics, I am constantly taken back to the first time I heard the LP.

Now listening to that hoary old workhorse Supertramp's `Crime of the Century' and it's like I'm a teenager and falling in love with the music all over again.

Good for you . Glad you are enjoying it. I have stopped using mine and at present am not missing it. Will have to put it back in and see what happens. In my area with my mains i think it suppresses the dynamics somewhat. Must examine this some more.

[Fretless]

As for suppressing dynamics - not sure, certainly things sound more relaxed and that's possibly not what is needed if the music is to be exciting.

I'm bass terms I'm getting more and deeper than before, better defined as well. My personal test is to be able to follow what the bassist is doing and that does go better with the BMU.

[TheMadMick]

"Atlhifi is the place I think, well that's where I got mine from..."

Thanks for that. I just ordered one to stop my BMU buzzing gently in the background. I'll post the outcome when it arrives.

It arrived a few days ago. I ordered the 3kVA one as the kW550 pulls nearly 20A transiently on start up. Probably overkill but it also has no fuses being wired straight into the supply lead. I also took the late Doc's advice and wired in a Schuko socket to get rid of the fuse in the plug.

The wiring diagramme on the web page is a bit confusing (probably my age?) but once I got that sorted it was quite simple. Be aware that the glands seem to be sized for PVC/PVC SWA cable. However a bit of creative thinking got round that.

First impressions - I was a little disappointed when the BMU buzzed a little but that stopped quite quickly. On playing a couple of tracks, I found the bass much better defined and much more articulate. Not sure if it's the DC blocker or the Schuko plug & socket. Personally, I don't care. Hope it continues.

At least the DC blocker seems to have stopped the buzzing. Not that it annoyed but I figure it can't be good for the transformer and another BMU is not on the cards.

Hope this is informative.

[Fretless]

I ordered the same DC blocker this morning. I'm getting buzzing from the BMU in the evenings as well - surrounded by farmers here with heavy-duty machines on the mains.

Glad to hear it works, Mick.