sound quality questions

Cliff · 07-03-2002, 10:06 PM

now I know that this has been covered many times, but I still have questions:

I grounded my computer case and the power supply, and also have a Ground Loop Isolator. There is still a small buzz (hardly noticable, but there) that is really starting to get to me. Are there any other grounds that can get rid of this? What can I do? I even have my power chords running on the right side of my car, and my audio cables running on the left, so there wouldn't be any jumping of signals. Any suggestions?

Also, I have a pretty nice system in my car. My CDs have balls when I play them, the bass hits hard, and everything sounds great. If I play the same song off a CD at 192 bitrate, it hardly hits at all - sounds alot more tinny and has less balls. Could this be my sound card? I am using the sound card that came with the DELL computer...it uses a SB16 driver...should I look into a better one? I know you guys swear by USB sound, but my 200mmx has no usb ports...

Sorry for the long post, I just want my computer system the sound the best it can be! Thanks

Golf_MPIII · 07-04-2002, 06:23 AM

Hi

I don´t know if I can help you but I try.
Concerning the low noise:

If its always there, even if the machine is turned off, it might
interfere with some other cable lying there..?

If the frequency changes with the rpm of your machine its
probably a grounding problem. -> Go directly to the battery, use
thicker power cables, high-quality connectors..?

Perhaps you could also try to get shielded rca-cables.

I didn´t hear your noise so I can´t tell you if THIS is normal, but a
small noise is ALWAYS there.

Getting a better soundcard might also help. Try SB64Gold. Old,
but still fine. You can get them on ebay for cheap, but its ISA.

PS. Disable the mic, the line input and everything that you don´t
need in the controlpanel.

Hope I could help you...

Golf-MPIII

magnetik · 07-04-2002, 07:14 AM

some of the older SB16 cards were known for their hissy outputs.....

try getting a SB Live! or Audigy if your budget can afford and mobo can support! (thats what im looking at, or a Phillips Seismic Edge card)

Aaron Cake · 07-04-2002, 08:14 AM

Sounds like you have an impedance mismatch between your sound card and head unit/stereo. Do a search for "impedane matcher" and you will find all the info you need.

Cliff · 07-04-2002, 10:01 AM

I searched for impedance matcher and it took me right back to this thread...

Will my MOBO support the SB Live! ? It doesn't support those really long cards if thats what you are referring to. Its got PCI slots only...

Paladin · 07-04-2002, 12:01 PM

your in luck!! sb live cards only come in pci...so does audigy

paladin
p/s: the long slot is called an ISA

SuperMatty · 07-04-2002, 01:13 PM

The case with my system is that my audio signal has a noticeable buzz UNTIL I turn the computer on, at which point the buzzing goes away...so I would concentrate on fixing this problem only when the computer is on.

Dexter172 · 07-04-2002, 10:23 PM

I think its the cable layout and also the sound card. I was useing the sound card that came installed on my motherboard and it sounds great but too low doesn't take advantage of the speakers. When I put in the sound blaster live 5.1 I noticed a huge difference.

Aaron Cake · 07-05-2002, 08:37 AM

Well, my search for "impedance matcher" turned up 6 threads, including this one. But I think the one you want is http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...edance+matcher

Cliff · 07-06-2002, 07:50 AM

I found out what was making the sound so tinny sounding....it was that I put two Ground Loop Isolators in parrellel with each other in effor to get rid of the last of that annoying buzz. Everything sounds better, but I think I'm still going to upgrade to SB Live! anyway.

As far as sheilded cables go, are they really worth it? Does anyone have experience with them making a nice difference in the buzz? If so, im going to replace all my cables with sheilded ones...just don't want to spend unecessary moola.

And no, there is no buzz when the computer is turned off, only when it gets turned on. When I step on my break I can hear it POP when the volume is all the way up. Must be the electricity to the brake lights.

Aaron Cake · 07-06-2002, 09:39 AM

Yes, shielded cable is definitly worth it.

Cliff · 07-06-2002, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Cake
Yes, shielded cable is definitly worth it.

Do you perhaps know of a cheap online vendor that sells them? Or should I look for them at radioshack?

Andrew Chappell · 07-06-2002, 06:54 PM

You could always build them yourself

- grab some shielded cable and some phono plugs. Its dead cheap, and tends to work pretty well at removing hums - I use it for long video runs to stop interference or colour bleaching.

Cheers

Andrew

Cliff · 07-07-2002, 12:24 AM

Wait, did I miss something? Build them myself? If I were to try and build sheilded cable myself, then why would I buy sheilded cable...forgive my ignorance

MikeHunt79 · 07-07-2002, 12:33 PM

He means buy shielded cable and solder the plug on yourself. If you do this, you can manke the cables as long as u need. Ignorance forgiven.