Currently I have a new desktop connected to my DAC (Steinberg UR12) via USB (tried powering using USB powered and powered to wall), which is then connected to my amp which is a Yamaha AX-497 via RCA cable, which then connects to 4 passive KEF speakers.
Only weeks earlier this system was connected to my old computer (ASUS X555 Laptop), and I never ever had any sound issues or problems at all with playback of music.
After a lot of conversations with friends who are audio enthusiasts and looking at forums online it sounds to me like it’s a ground loop issue, but maybe I am on the wrong track there (based on what I have found recently).
Here is a sample of what kind of noise I am getting from my audio.
Recurring Sound Issue - Steinberg UR12 to Amplifier to Kef Speakers - YouTube
It’s a whining noise and it recurs every so often when playing music on either YouTube, or iTunes. This noise does not occur when no playback of sound is occurring. However, if I plug headphones into the audio jack on the onboard soundcard on my desktop, no sound issue is heard.
So after finding this out, I ordered ART Dual Transformer / Isolator (DTI – Link Below) and another shielded RCA cable.
DTI – Dual Transformer/Isolator – ART Pro Audio
The system then was Desktop>USB cable to Steinberg UR12 DAC> RCA cable from DAC to ART DTI> RCA cable from ART DTI to Yamaha amp> Amp via stereo cables to 4 speakers. The idea of the ART DTI was to be a form of Galvanic isolation so that the noises from the desktop weren’t coming through the signals of the RCA cable. But after installing the ART DTI I was getting still the same sounds produced.
This was very frustrating as the guy at the audio shop thought this would isolate the two appliances, my desktop and my DAC, from creating a grounding loop. It seemed to make sense to me, but then no change in sound quality which was disappointing.
Things to note:
-my laptop doesn’t have this noise problem and never has with the exact same set up. I wonder if the noise is there because there has been a change of power supply? Or my desktop has RGB lighting and my laptop does not (interference?)?
-the DAC has been tested by being powered both with USB and via power to the wall with no change in the noise
-the noise I am experiencing isn’t occurring when no music is playing
-Dual Transformer / Isolator didn’t prevent the noise from occuring
What does this mean? I am very stuck here. I have no idea what is causing this problem or where to go next. Maybe I could try another type of DAC? Do I take the desktop back to the shop and look inside the case to see it is all grounded properly (I’m thinking maybe the power supplies ground isn’t a good enough connection - I remember grounding an amp in a car once and I wasn't getting good sound until the earth was attached to bare metal not painted metal - could this be a similar issue?)? Is the reason why the onboard sound card works and the external DAC doesn’t because the USB ports aren’t grounded well but the onboard 3.5mm jack output is?
Any help would be greatly appreciated on this one as I have been driven absolutely mad trying to solve this problem.
Thank you in advance,
James
Only weeks earlier this system was connected to my old computer (ASUS X555 Laptop), and I never ever had any sound issues or problems at all with playback of music.
After a lot of conversations with friends who are audio enthusiasts and looking at forums online it sounds to me like it’s a ground loop issue, but maybe I am on the wrong track there (based on what I have found recently).
Here is a sample of what kind of noise I am getting from my audio.
Recurring Sound Issue - Steinberg UR12 to Amplifier to Kef Speakers - YouTube
It’s a whining noise and it recurs every so often when playing music on either YouTube, or iTunes. This noise does not occur when no playback of sound is occurring. However, if I plug headphones into the audio jack on the onboard soundcard on my desktop, no sound issue is heard.
So after finding this out, I ordered ART Dual Transformer / Isolator (DTI – Link Below) and another shielded RCA cable.
DTI – Dual Transformer/Isolator – ART Pro Audio
The system then was Desktop>USB cable to Steinberg UR12 DAC> RCA cable from DAC to ART DTI> RCA cable from ART DTI to Yamaha amp> Amp via stereo cables to 4 speakers. The idea of the ART DTI was to be a form of Galvanic isolation so that the noises from the desktop weren’t coming through the signals of the RCA cable. But after installing the ART DTI I was getting still the same sounds produced.
This was very frustrating as the guy at the audio shop thought this would isolate the two appliances, my desktop and my DAC, from creating a grounding loop. It seemed to make sense to me, but then no change in sound quality which was disappointing.
Things to note:
-my laptop doesn’t have this noise problem and never has with the exact same set up. I wonder if the noise is there because there has been a change of power supply? Or my desktop has RGB lighting and my laptop does not (interference?)?
-the DAC has been tested by being powered both with USB and via power to the wall with no change in the noise
-the noise I am experiencing isn’t occurring when no music is playing
-Dual Transformer / Isolator didn’t prevent the noise from occuring
What does this mean? I am very stuck here. I have no idea what is causing this problem or where to go next. Maybe I could try another type of DAC? Do I take the desktop back to the shop and look inside the case to see it is all grounded properly (I’m thinking maybe the power supplies ground isn’t a good enough connection - I remember grounding an amp in a car once and I wasn't getting good sound until the earth was attached to bare metal not painted metal - could this be a similar issue?)? Is the reason why the onboard sound card works and the external DAC doesn’t because the USB ports aren’t grounded well but the onboard 3.5mm jack output is?
Any help would be greatly appreciated on this one as I have been driven absolutely mad trying to solve this problem.
Thank you in advance,
James
Run a piece of wire from computer chassis to USB card ground....happened on a phono pre amp, had to connect turn table ground to pre amp ground.
And check the cables, some times the ground is not connected properly, so poor shielding.
Check the center conductors too.
Looks like a ground issue, and check the mains ground too...in my house the electricians ran the wire but did not connect it, found after a hard disk failure.
Check with a bulb, I use a big 200 watt bulb, though 40 watts onwards should work.
It must burn full bright between phase and earth, keep the computer off when doing this.
And check the cables, some times the ground is not connected properly, so poor shielding.
Check the center conductors too.
Looks like a ground issue, and check the mains ground too...in my house the electricians ran the wire but did not connect it, found after a hard disk failure.
Check with a bulb, I use a big 200 watt bulb, though 40 watts onwards should work.
It must burn full bright between phase and earth, keep the computer off when doing this.
Couldn't hear the whining in the video at first, but now I've heard and it seems to be a software decoding glitch or some sort of interference. Try the DPC latency checker to narrow down buffers underruns.
Whining usually usually indicates poor ground connection or poor / long cable.
In a Ground loop You usually hear the hard-drive spinning, mouse moving buzzing, video updating etc.
Probably Your laptop PSU has no grounded plug. Manufacturers have learned this lesson on newer PCs.
Ground connected to the headphones is "floating" in the air. Not connected to anything after the headphones. What happens if You connect the headphone output to the amp ? Still noise ?
Check if RCA In & OUT grounds have continuity. They shouldn't if in fact it's an isolator.
Try a wire between PC & amp chassis. Try the same with the DAC.
Whining usually usually indicates poor ground connection or poor / long cable.
In a Ground loop You usually hear the hard-drive spinning, mouse moving buzzing, video updating etc.
Probably Your laptop PSU has no grounded plug. Manufacturers have learned this lesson on newer PCs.
Ground connected to the headphones is "floating" in the air. Not connected to anything after the headphones. What happens if You connect the headphone output to the amp ? Still noise ?
Check if RCA In & OUT grounds have continuity. They shouldn't if in fact it's an isolator.
Try a wire between PC & amp chassis. Try the same with the DAC.
In years past, I often had noise problems using a PC as a source. I blame ground issues, but could also have been processor or other EM interference. Not everyone likes optical/Toslink, but that is my go-to solution. I've had zero noise issues with any optically "connected" audio system.