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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: bperkins01 on June 18, 2018, 08:51:24 am

Title: The cure for ground loop sound issues
Post by: bperkins01 on June 18, 2018, 08:51:24 am

All

A while back I had some issues with sound - whining noise through speakers / amp / from the audio out on the PC..  I tried a bunch of debugging and could not cure it..  so I added an inexpensive sound card and cured it..at least for the time being...
I'm now at the last stages of wiring my CP and when I fired it up..  the feedback/whining was off the charts bad.. 
Back to trying to isolate the issue..

Then I found this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019393MV2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019393MV2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

I figured I'd give it a shot since it was less than $10 and had such high praise.
Works spectacularly good!!!
If you have whiny speakers - give this a shot!
Best inexpensive cure ever!

[end of public service announcement]

Title: Re: The cure for ground loop sound issues
Post by: barrymossel on June 18, 2018, 11:13:24 am

Are your amp and PC powered separately? If not, you could try to use a isolated DC/DC converter to power your amp. But if this works for you, that's great!

Title: Re: The cure for ground loop sound issues
Post by: bperkins01 on June 18, 2018, 11:20:52 am

I have a single power strip coming into the cabinet..
- PC plugged into it..

Then I have an Arcade power supply connected to the same power strip, it has:
- 2.1 amplifier at 12V
- Ultimate IO connected at 5V

Its looping back via the USB adapter that connects the IO card to the PC..  I tested plugging things into different wall outlets, grounding everything to everything..
what a pain..
this little gizmo is worth its cost in time wasted alone..

Title: Re: The cure for ground loop sound issues
Post by: pbj on June 18, 2018, 11:34:04 am

Yep, these things work great.  I'm noticing I've been having the issue with flat screens running to soundbars or external speakers.  Not even worth trouble shooting.

Title: Re: The cure for ground loop sound issues
Post by: barrymossel on June 19, 2018, 02:37:32 am

Quote from: bperkins01 on June 18, 2018, 11:20:52 am

I have a single power strip coming into the cabinet..
- PC plugged into it..

Then I have an Arcade power supply connected to the same power strip, it has:
- 2.1 amplifier at 12V
- Ultimate IO connected at 5V

Its looping back via the USB adapter that connects the IO card to the PC..  I tested plugging things into different wall outlets, grounding everything to everything..
what a pain..
this little gizmo is worth its cost in time wasted alone..

I built some portable speakers and ground loops are such a pain in the ass. I didn't have success with those ground loop isolators unfortunately. So I rather use different power sources, but you are right: that won't work in your case. So great that this isolator does the job for you!