Thread: line noise

I didn't run into any line noise. But, I've seen it discussed in the past. You may need a ground loop isolator. Try searching for a few previous posts on the topic.

I tried one of those ground loop isolators..

They SUCK!!

It made the noise more audible plus it added alternator whine!!! AARGH!!

So you think a better sound card (over the Via M10000 on-board) would be more crucial than adding an AudioControl EQL? The EQL will not only bump up voltage 7x, which my amp is starving for, but it will help avoid noise and it will give me a 13-band EQ....

I suppose I need to get both, I'm just wondering which I should get first, as I only have the money for one of them....

Can you provide some more info on your setup and describe the sound (whine or hiss).

If you're using an inverter, I would still lean toward a ground loop problem. It seems to have been the culprit for many others here. Making sure everything is grounded solid usually does the trick from what I've read. Some workarounds are using a pci or usb sound card instead of onboard.

If you're hearing a whine, it's possible alternator noising is leaking into your preamp wires. Using high quality wire and keeping their distance from power cables should help.

See if you can hear the line-noise with headphones plugged into the line out. It may be difficult to tell because of the low volume. But if you hear the noise, you know the amp is just amplifying the problem. You may be able to use some regular pc speakers and a long extension cord as well. I would plug the speakers into a wall jack to eliminate inverter ground loop introducing the noise.

Right now I'm just using a laptop which I set in my trunk. This has a 1/8" plug with a RCA 2 channel spliter. This is plugged into my Amp's 2 input channels.

The noise is just line noise, "white noise" just background noise, no pops. When I unplug the 1/8" from my laptop, it goes completely silent.

I've also tried using a RIO MP3 player. Same results.

I added the radio shack "ground loop isolator" but the noise got louded and then I could hear alternator whine. (Is there more to it than just plugging it inline? I didn't see any ground wires or anyting to hook up??)

I'm thinking it could be because my laptop isn't grounded. Ryan from Ryanspc.com told me to ground my laptop by hooking a wire up to one of the screws on the back plate of my laptop where all of the ports/plugs are.. will this truly ground my laptop?

Originally Posted by sq_geek

Right now I'm just using a laptop which I set in my trunk. This has a 1/8" plug with a RCA 2 channel spliter. This is plugged into my Amp's 2 input channels.

The noise is just line noise, "white noise" just background noise, no pops. When I unplug the 1/8" from my laptop, it goes completely silent.

I've also tried using a RIO MP3 player. Same results.

I added the radio shack "ground loop isolator" but the noise got louded and then I could hear alternator whine. (Is there more to it than just plugging it inline? I didn't see any ground wires or anyting to hook up??)

I'm thinking it could be because my laptop isn't grounded. Ryan from Ryanspc.com told me to ground my laptop by hooking a wire up to one of the screws on the back plate of my laptop where all of the ports/plugs are.. will this truly ground my laptop?

If the rio is causing the same problem it has to do with your amp. First make sure your amp is grounded well. Then turn down the gains, and turn up the volume on the laptop until you reach the optimum sound quality. You'll have to play around with these.

Tom

I've been playing with the gains, and it doesn't help. I need to try the muting plug test still, but I am pretty sure it is not the amp. The ground is solid.

You're problem is quite strange because you say the noise goes away when you unplug it from your laptop, yet the noise is there when you plug in your rio. My suggestion would be to do what the guy said and ground your laptop using the back panel. Then, if that doesn't work, get one of the USB solutions (I recommend Maudio's stuff for higher s/n ratios).

Tom

Hmm, I guess this makes sense.. I'll try grounding it and see what happens... I'm also going to hook up with a buddy who can plug his head unit into my RCAs and see if that solves it. Then I at least know it's my source and not something else..

What's Maudio?

Is the Audigy as good as the Extigy? Just asking cuz $125 is a lot more than I had hoped this would cost me and the Audigy is around $50..

Thanks for all your prompt replies!!
Kevin