PC low level hum infects my 2ch setup.

fbm211
fbm211 Posts: 1,488
edited June 2008 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
I hooked my PC up to my preamp today to (compare) see if it would sound better than the adcom cdp and it did except I got that damn low hum that usually means a ground loop problem.I did use a cheap mini to rca cable but I dont think thats really the problem.Anyone ever have this problem and if so how do I fix it??
SDA-2BTL with custom IC
Adcom 565 monoblocks--Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp
Theta Data Basic Transport--Stello DA100 Signature DAC--Camelot Dragon Pro2 MK III
Harman Kardon T-55c TT
DH Labs Q-10 Signature Speaker Cables With Furez silver plated copper bananas
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference AES/EBU
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver i2s digital cable
4 Furutech FP-314Ag with FI-11cu Plugs/FI-11AG IECs--- Power Cords
DH LABS REVELATIONS ICs-amps
Revelation Audio Labs Paradise cryo-silver ICs-Source to pre
Post edited by fbm211 on
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Comments

  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited June 2008
    Well I would say you just got your answer. Take your pc back out of the picture & enjoy your separates as they should be played.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited June 2008
    Couple of things.

    You can try to plug your PC's power cord into the same outlet as your rig.

    As for using your PC as a music server, what kind of sound card are you using? If you're using a gaming or music orientated card, it may sound ok, otherwise your CDP should sound better. Most of us who are using our PC's as music servers are only using them as transports, then running a digital coax, optical, or squeezebox out. Then using a external DAC or the DAC's in our pre-pros.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • fbm211
    fbm211 Posts: 1,488
    edited June 2008
    The PC is plugged into a surge protector but is on the same circuit.Sound card is a Xfi fatality pro which can enhance older music cds.Ive heard later cd players have much better DACs than the older ones, which I have. (From other threads.)I am considering the NAD 118 digital preamp to replace my adcom555II.Do you think that would be a big improvement??
    SDA-2BTL with custom IC
    Adcom 565 monoblocks--Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp
    Theta Data Basic Transport--Stello DA100 Signature DAC--Camelot Dragon Pro2 MK III
    Harman Kardon T-55c TT
    DH Labs Q-10 Signature Speaker Cables With Furez silver plated copper bananas
    Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference AES/EBU
    Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver i2s digital cable
    4 Furutech FP-314Ag with FI-11cu Plugs/FI-11AG IECs--- Power Cords
    DH LABS REVELATIONS ICs-amps
    Revelation Audio Labs Paradise cryo-silver ICs-Source to pre
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited June 2008
    Newer CDP's don't always sound better.

    I'm not familiar with that NAD or Adcom model.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • fbm211
    fbm211 Posts: 1,488
    edited June 2008
    This is the NAD http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1215353511
    SDA-2BTL with custom IC
    Adcom 565 monoblocks--Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp
    Theta Data Basic Transport--Stello DA100 Signature DAC--Camelot Dragon Pro2 MK III
    Harman Kardon T-55c TT
    DH Labs Q-10 Signature Speaker Cables With Furez silver plated copper bananas
    Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference AES/EBU
    Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver i2s digital cable
    4 Furutech FP-314Ag with FI-11cu Plugs/FI-11AG IECs--- Power Cords
    DH LABS REVELATIONS ICs-amps
    Revelation Audio Labs Paradise cryo-silver ICs-Source to pre
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited June 2008
    unplugging the computer cable from the wall will help if it's a laptop.
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  • michael_w
    michael_w Posts: 2,813
    edited June 2008
    I had the same problem and finally I shut off my monitor and the problem went away. Even having them on the same power bar didn't help, so I used a cheater plug on the monitor and voila!
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited June 2008
    My computer rig sounds great and is hum free, but I am also using an external DAC as stated above. The mini to RCA isn't going to help with sound quality either...
    Jake
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
    I'm having the same issue here, yet my HTPC is connected to the pre via digital coax! This problem just crept up after I changed projectors (similar to michael w's monitor issue). So besides unplugging the projector, what else to do?

    I made sure everything is on the same *dedicated* 20-amp circuit.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited June 2008
    Lift the ground on the projector or try a optical cable instead of coax.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
    Face wrote: »
    Lift the ground on the projector or try a optical cable instead of coax.

    If you mean use a "cheater plug," that didn't work. When you plug the HDMI from the PC into the projector, it automatically creates a hum.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
    Oh BTW, I don't have an optical cable.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter