Man, THIS JUST STINKS

[Thelonious Funk]

Ok so like I said in another thread, all my cd's were stolen.

I DO have a lot of lossless files on a computer I built specifically to be my media server.

My dilemma is this:

My stereo sounds great when the computer is not hooked up. When I do run RCA's into the preamp, I get a buzz. Even when the computer is off, it buzzes.

Ground loop, right? I've tried the following things:

Moving the computer to a different outlet in the room, out of the room, and in the same outlet. I have plugged in the RCA's to my laptop and it removes the buzz so I know it isn't those cables. I have given thought to using a ground lift to solve the problem but the idea freaks me out and I don't know enough about it to make an informed decision.

I've also looked at filters online that can remove the hum... but won't that remove sound too?


HELLLLLP!!!!


You people are frickin' audio masterminds. I know I can count on you.

[Radec]

Would getting a sound card with an Optical SPDIF out work?

[twitch54]

"float" the ground from the CPU with a 'cheater' plug to confirm your suspiscions, afterwhich you can leave as is or..............

purchase ground loop 'buster type' device (PS Audio I believe)

address the outlet(s) that are in your audio / CPU chain to eliminate.

[Thelonious Funk]

I have a great sound card, and it has the opti out...

But i don't have the in on the preamp because I have yet to upgrade. I can try the lift... I won't fry anything that way?

[PewterTA]

I read your other post and I'm sorry to hear about all your CDs being taken. That's an aweful shame. Hopefully, whoever took them will enjoy them (though I doubt that, probably just used for profit).

It's in your PSU on the computer, floating the ground should help and it shouldn't cause any problems with your PC.

Course I would just say that I need to get a Benchmark DAC1 and run the optical out from the PC to the DAC and then the problem would be solved. :lol:

[impala454]

Running a computer on a cheater plug would be a very bad idea IMHO. Even if it is just for a few minutes. Just my $0.02.

[greenhorn]

Very sorry to hear about your cd's. :M

If you PM me your address I have a few discs I'd be happy to send your way. These aren't junk or copies, they are retail with jewel boxes and inserts. Just some decent stuff where I've somehow end up with doubles or whatever.

[audioqueso]

If you disconnected everything from your preamp except the computer, does it still do it? So PC>preamp>amp>speakers and ONLY that. No other device connnected. Do you still get the buzz? If I understand correctly, you ARE getting the buzz when playing the audio files from the pc, right?

[Crimson]

You may want to try USB out from your PC, then inserting a USB-SPDIF converter (Hagerman's HagUSB comes to mind).

[Lex]

greenhorn, a very nice gesture. That's being a good HTG friend!

[Thelonious Funk]

If you disconnected everything from your preamp except the computer, does it still do it? So PC>preamp>amp>speakers and ONLY that. No other device connnected. Do you still get the buzz? If I understand correctly, you ARE getting the buzz when playing the audio files from the pc, right?

Correct about the buzz when playing the files, but also when on a different device if the computer is connected to the system at all. I'll have to try taking everything else out of the equation tonight and report back results.

[Thelonious Funk]

And yes, the people on this board are always awesome. I can't thank everyone enough for their kind words and gestures.

I know that sounds a little thick as I am just talking about cd's but they were like my lifes story from 11 to now. BLEH! I'm going shopping this weekend to make myself feel better anyway.

[H.Donald]

Sorry to hear about your CDs...
I know it's not much consolation at this point...but these people who go around stealing from others,their punishment is the life they live.Enjoy yours...

[Thelonious Funk]

I feel the same way. I also feel blessed that I can replace a lot of what I lost, and I don't have to steal it to do so.

[ShadowZA]

I'm terribly sorry to read of your loss, Eric.:gah: Best thing to do now is to focus on building up a great new collection.

Stacks of strength :T

[audioqueso]

Correct about the buzz when playing the files, but also when on a different device if the computer is connected to the system at all. I'll have to try taking everything else out of the equation tonight and report back results.

So the buzz is there from the computer audio files.
The buzz is also there from any other source if the computer is connected to the pre-amp as well.

Ok, let's see. Computers create a lot of interferes in general just because of the amount of moving parts (fans, etc). First, do you have wifi connected to that computer? Wifi pci cards seem to intensify the amount of interference. I don't know the technical reason why, but I've discovered that through several testing setups.

You have to run RCA's cause you're using a pre-amp, right? IF you could run optical, that would eliminate it since you'd have a break in the copper conducting the interference. But that's not an option. Do you have a laptop. Try using just the headphone output of the laptop and see if you get the interference.

If you do get buzz with the laptop, then it sounds like grounding in the combination of how you have your setup.

If you don't get buzz, then it may be the specifics on how your computer is built. (fans, actual case structure, different elements)

[David Meek]

Eric, that just blows. :M

Like Greenhorn, Jen and I have some discs that we've duplicate-purchased and we've just never done anything with them. I cannot think of a better thing to do with those titles than to help jump-start your collection.

Please PM me your addy and we'll send them on.