Buz in speakers with Amplifier -Cable TV related

xandra

Just got a Parasound amp - was getting some buzzing in my speakers. A parasound tech had me disconnect my Cable. That did it.

So for long term he reccomended I get a DC Blocker or a Ground Breaker (both apparently in line F-type devices) thru Radio Shack. . Unfortunately my local store didn't know what I was talking about, and an online search at ratshack yeilded nothing...

Anyone know what I'm looking for, or how to resolve buzz in speakers generated by Cable TV interference?

janmike

I had the same problem a while back and the Cable company did 2 things.

1) They ensured that the coax coming into the house was ground outside.
2) They put a ground loop isolator on the coax inside the house.

Cable noise is gone. The Isolators can be aquired from RS or in my case free from the cable company. Good luck.

[Deleted User]

Hello,
What you are experiencing is called a "ground loop", meaning the cable company's cable and your A/V system's ground are not at the same potential. In order to solve that you need a ground loop isolator, but one that has sufficient bandwidth to not effect your television's picture quality. We recommend the Jensen Transformer company's ground loop isolators.
Regards, Ken

xandra

thanks guys - I've ordered the isolator, hopefully that'll do the trick.

In case someone else has same issue tech at Jenson recc'd "VRD-1FF" Cable TV RF Isolator
available on this page:http://www.jensen-transformers.com/iso_vid.html

Also: there was a pdf there name "Home Theater Hum and Buzz Troubleshooting Guide" that others might find useful:
http://www.jensen-transformers.com/an/ts_guide.pdf

michaeljhsda2

The Dayton VIT-1 Isolation Transformer, Part Number 180-075, for $8.40 at Parts Express. Works perfect and it's inexpensive. Just like the Jensen, it won't work with satellite TV.

xandra

Thanks all - had local cable company (TW) come by & install -FREE. (they used a viewsonics model) Hallelujah -- speaker buzz gone,

FURTHER HELP REQUESTED: Now need to try reducing/deleting a much quieter unrelated buzz at Amp (noticeable apx 4' from Amp) This is barely audible except when no sound being produced... tho sometimes once you've tuned into a frequency, it gnaws at you...

any ideas?

Bummer that amps are so susceptible to these noises.

willsmith11111

I have the same problem with only one of my speakers. I have unhooked the cable completely and even moved the speaker away from the tv but it still buzzes. I ordered a ground loop isolator like you guys said but I don't think that it will help because it still buzzes without the cable being hooked up. This sucks!

xandra

have unhooked the cable completely and even moved the speaker away from the tv but it still buzzes

If you unhooked the cable (at the wall where comes in at your setup-no need to unhook individual inputs as this would no longer be carrying a signal) and the buzzing didn't go away, it's highly unlikely that's your problem.

The fact that buzz exists in only one speaker - may be a clue
Have you tried:
replacing wiring to that speaker? checking Polarity
making sure nothing else is not touching the speaker wire.
do you have flourescent lighting nearby? anywhere on this circuit?
dimmer switches? (dunno if this can be an issue or not)
Is you sub near that speaker? if so, move it & try on diff circuit.

I'm NO expert at this (I think electrics are voodoo), its just some stuff I was told to verify.
Definetly call Polk and/or your Amps manufacturer if none of the above helps - they're pretty well versed in this stuff. Also Polk might be able to tell you if this is the speaker itself.

And a last ($$$) resort get a dedicated circuit installed: this cured a very minor buzz I was getting at Amp. It may not help your buzzing at all but not a bad investment and will help eliminate future things that go buzz in the night.

Good luck, report back if you find the solution

tonyb

xandra wrote: »

Thanks all - had local cable company (TW) come by & install -FREE. (they used a viewsonics model) Hallelujah -- speaker buzz gone,

FURTHER HELP REQUESTED: Now need to try reducing/deleting a much quieter unrelated buzz at Amp (noticeable apx 4' from Amp) This is barely audible except when no sound being produced... tho sometimes once you've tuned into a frequency, it gnaws at you...

any ideas?

Bummer that amps are so susceptible to these noises.

Try switching I/C's from the left speaker to the right comming from the amp to receiver and see if the buzz follows.Could be a bad cable.Also keep your power cords away from the speaker cables or I/C cables.Are you useing a metal stand? Also try disconnecting the cables from the amp.Power up the amp and see if you hear a buzz.If so,the problem is with the amp,if not,ground loop,and may take some detective work,trial and error,to seek out the culprit.And as a last resort,try a 2 buck cheater plug on the amp.

willsmith11111

xandra wrote: »

If you unhooked the cable (at the wall where comes in at your setup-no need to unhook individual inputs as this would no longer be carrying a signal) and the buzzing didn't go away, it's highly unlikely that's your problem.

The fact that buzz exists in only one speaker - may be a clue
Have you tried:
replacing wiring to that speaker? checking Polarity
making sure nothing else is not touching the speaker wire.
do you have flourescent lighting nearby? anywhere on this circuit?
dimmer switches? (dunno if this can be an issue or not)
Is you sub near that speaker? if so, move it & try on diff circuit.

I'm NO expert at this (I think electrics are voodoo), its just some stuff I was told to verify.
Definetly call Polk and/or your Amps manufacturer if none of the above helps - they're pretty well versed in this stuff. Also Polk might be able to tell you if this is the speaker itself.

And a last ($$$) resort get a dedicated circuit installed: this cured a very minor buzz I was getting at Amp. It may not help your buzzing at all but not a bad investment and will help eliminate future things that go buzz in the night.

Good luck, report back if you find the solution

The buzz is there even if the speaker is not hooked up. This eliminates the amp as a problem. I have a fish tank near by that has a flourescent light but I have unhooked that and still no luck. I changed the power cord from the non-buzzing speaker and that didn't work. I don't have a subwoofer hooked up. This sucks.