Personal computing discussed

Moderators: renee, Captain Ned

 
qmacpoint
Gerbil Team Leader
Topic Author
Posts: 270
Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2018 12:56 pm

Weird static from my speakers

Tue Apr 16, 2019 11:36 pm

Hey guys,

I think I have some sort of electric ground loop and I'm out of ideas on how to fix it. I have both a laptop and a desktop that I use at the same time (not really but they're working at the same time) and I'm running Kanto YU2s with a SUB8 to have audio from two sources. However when I plug the AUX cable to my desktop's onboard audio, I hear this weird hum that increases when I crank up the volume. Do you know how I can resolve this? or can you think of any ideas? I have this crude diagram that explains what I currently have plugged in (although there are some peripherals that are not shown here for simplicity) Thank you in advance!

https://imgur.com/a/09XH4lJ -> Imgur direct link to diagram

Image
 
MOSFET
Gerbil XP
Posts: 373
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2014 12:42 am

Re: Weird static from my speakers

Wed Apr 17, 2019 3:34 am

Does MacBook pro have headphone out? You could try that, or a phone or tablet, to see if the static is isolated to the desktop. Does it happen if the desktop is the only source connected, or only when it's the second source connected? How about if, just temporarily, you hook up the DAC to the desktop USB? If that works, then try a second source (MBP, phone, tablet) through second input. Just for fun and all that stuff.
Be careful on inserting this (or any G34 chip) into the socket. Once you pull that restraining lever, it is either a good install or a piece of silicon jewelry.
 
SecretSquirrel
Minister of Gerbil Affairs
Posts: 2726
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2002 7:00 pm
Location: North DFW suburb...
Contact:

Re: Weird static from my speakers

Wed Apr 17, 2019 6:48 am

What you are describing sounds like a ground loop. This is caused by having different paths to ground between the amplifier and the audio source. The causes a slight voltage differential that gets amplified and you hear it as a 60Hz hum. Try plugging the desktop directly into the power strip, or all the equipment into the UPS. If the hum goes away or gets significantly quieter, the ground loop is the problem.

--SS
 
kvndoom
Minister of Gerbil Affairs
Posts: 2758
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 11:47 pm
Location: Virginia, thank goodness

Re: Weird static from my speakers

Wed Apr 17, 2019 7:39 am

I agree with both suggestions above. first make sure the sound card itself isn't causing the hum. (also try a new AUX cable)

Then troubleshoot for a ground loop. It's always process of elimination with issues of this type.
A most unfortunate, Freudian, double entendre is that hotel named "Budget Inn."
 
qmacpoint
Gerbil Team Leader
Topic Author
Posts: 270
Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2018 12:56 pm

Re: Weird static from my speakers

Wed Apr 17, 2019 8:03 am

Thanks for the suggestions. I may try plugging the speakers to the UPS first, as I tend to do some heavy GPU computing work (2x 1070s) the only thing I have in the UPS is my desktop and a monitor, and the sound system may have an impact on the UPS workload as well. I'll try this tonight! :)
 
The Egg
Minister of Gerbil Affairs
Posts: 2938
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 4:46 pm

Re: Weird static from my speakers

Wed Apr 17, 2019 8:17 am

In addition to working on the ground loop problems, I second (or third) the suggestion to use an external USB/SPDIF DAC to output from the desktop. You'll get better sound quality as an added bonus.
 
qmacpoint
Gerbil Team Leader
Topic Author
Posts: 270
Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2018 12:56 pm

Re: Weird static from my speakers

Wed Apr 17, 2019 8:28 am

The Egg wrote:
In addition to working on the ground loop problems, I second (or third) the suggestion to use an external USB/SPDIF DAC to output from the desktop. You'll get better sound quality as an added bonus.

Oddly enough I tried this with a Creative SBX USB DAC (yeh it's a DAC) that I had lying around from a previous setup and I still heard this static so it made no difference sadly :(
 
SecretSquirrel
Minister of Gerbil Affairs
Posts: 2726
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2002 7:00 pm
Location: North DFW suburb...
Contact:

Re: Weird static from my speakers

Wed Apr 17, 2019 8:33 am

qmacpoint wrote:
The Egg wrote:
In addition to working on the ground loop problems, I second (or third) the suggestion to use an external USB/SPDIF DAC to output from the desktop. You'll get better sound quality as an added bonus.

Oddly enough I tried this with a Creative SBX USB DAC (yeh it's a DAC) that I had lying around from a previous setup and I still heard this static so it made no difference sadly :(


That removes your sound card as the potential problem, but not the ground loop.

--SS
 
just brew it!
Administrator
Posts: 54500
Joined: Tue Aug 20, 2002 10:51 pm
Location: Somewhere, having a beer

Re: Weird static from my speakers

Wed Apr 17, 2019 9:06 am

SecretSquirrel wrote:
qmacpoint wrote:
The Egg wrote:
In addition to working on the ground loop problems, I second (or third) the suggestion to use an external USB/SPDIF DAC to output from the desktop. You'll get better sound quality as an added bonus.

Oddly enough I tried this with a Creative SBX USB DAC (yeh it's a DAC) that I had lying around from a previous setup and I still heard this static so it made no difference sadly :(

That removes your sound card as the potential problem, but not the ground loop.

Yup. The ground is almost certainly connected straight through from the USB port to the common on the 3.5mm jack.

If you want to break the ground loop, you could try something like this, or you could plug a Bluetooth transmitter into the PC and a Bluetooth receiver into the speakers.
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
 
ludi
Lord High Gerbil
Posts: 8646
Joined: Fri Jun 21, 2002 10:47 pm
Location: Sunny Colorado front range

Re: Weird static from my speakers

Wed Apr 17, 2019 10:46 am

just brew it! wrote:
If you want to break the ground loop, you could try something like this.

+1 for the isolator JBI linked. I have two of this exact make/model in use now for car setups that interact badly with add-on BlueTooth devices. It works.
Abacus Model 2.5 | Quad-Row FX with 256 Cherry Red Slider Beads | Applewood Frame | Water Cooling by Brita Filtration
 
qmacpoint
Gerbil Team Leader
Topic Author
Posts: 270
Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2018 12:56 pm

Re: Weird static from my speakers

Wed Apr 17, 2019 1:14 pm

just brew it! wrote:
SecretSquirrel wrote:
qmacpoint wrote:
Oddly enough I tried this with a Creative SBX USB DAC (yeh it's a DAC) that I had lying around from a previous setup and I still heard this static so it made no difference sadly :(

That removes your sound card as the potential problem, but not the ground loop.

Yup. The ground is almost certainly connected straight through from the USB port to the common on the 3.5mm jack.

If you want to break the ground loop, you could try something like this, or you could plug a Bluetooth transmitter into the PC and a Bluetooth receiver into the speakers.

I may try connecting the speakers or the eGPU to the PSU before buying the ground isolator, as I've read that it may lower the sound quality in some cases (plus, fixing it for free vs buying a dongle :P)
 
qmacpoint
Gerbil Team Leader
Topic Author
Posts: 270
Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2018 12:56 pm

Re: Weird static from my speakers

Thu Apr 18, 2019 7:36 pm

Tried all possible combinations without overloading the UPS and gave up, got a Ground Isolator and now it all works like it should! didn't know those things existed before! Thank you very much guys!
 
just brew it!
Administrator
Posts: 54500
Joined: Tue Aug 20, 2002 10:51 pm
Location: Somewhere, having a beer

Re: Weird static from my speakers

Thu Apr 18, 2019 9:12 pm

qmacpoint wrote:
Tried all possible combinations without overloading the UPS and gave up, got a Ground Isolator and now it all works like it should! didn't know those things existed before! Thank you very much guys!

Which one did you get? Any noticeable drop in sound quality?
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
 
qmacpoint
Gerbil Team Leader
Topic Author
Posts: 270
Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2018 12:56 pm

Re: Weird static from my speakers

Thu Apr 18, 2019 9:45 pm

just brew it! wrote:
Which one did you get? Any noticeable drop in sound quality?

I ended up getting this AUKEY isolator as it was one of the decently priced ones up here in Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01M1671I0
Tested the whole setup by listening to "FIDLAR - Cheap Beer" and "Queens of the Stone Age - 3's & 7's" through the DAC and the Aux cable with the isolator and I cannot tell the difference tbh!

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest
GZIP: On