I have 2 266xls and mine are somewhat noisy as well. I found that if I lifted the ground on the units (even though they were plugged into my rack with everything else in it) they got way quieter.

Just dont tell anyone else I suggested a ground lift! ;)

Tom excuse my ignorance but what is a "ground lift".

A ground lift is an elevator that goes sideways!

a-hem...

ground lift is when the 3rd leg of a 3 prong cord is switched out to remove it from the circuit...sometimes ground loops can occur, in which the ground has more than one path to take, resulting in anything from hum to shock...(both suck)

Originally posted by DaveX:
I get 6db of extra noise when I add a compressor (dbx 266XL) to my input chain. Thanx in advance.

:) You need to track down the source of the noise. There must be some potential difference (ground loop) between the units and the case ground of your rack and gear, or the devices connected to it.

Tracking down these little noise things are tough. I have an external power supply for a piece that sits on the concrete carpeted floor. If I move it around a little, I find a place where the little noise it can make is eliminated.

--Rick

A ground lift is an adapter that changes a three prong electric plug into a two prong plug.
You can get them at any hardware store or probably Wal-Mart for about a buck.
If you can afford it look for a BALNNCED POWER SUPPLY not a power conditioner.
You can read about balanced power here.... http://www.circumtech.com/development/technology/balancedpower/theoriginofbalancedpower
There is some one who makes a hum eliminator that is cheap and would probably be better than ground lifting.
Larry