Philip Bateman Posted January 7, 2015 Posted January 7, 2015 (edited) I have added an NAD 2200 into my system, changing my NAD 302 into a pure pre-amp by removing the pre-out / main-in connects and connecting the pre-out to the inputs on the 2200, as well as moving my speakers over. The problem is I have huge electrical noise coming through from my PC - is anyone able to help? Things I have gone through: PC, NAD 302 and Nad 2200 + 2 pc monitors share an 8 outlet powerboard (http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/huntkey-8-way-powerboard-surge-protection-black/) Plugged 302 / 2200 into different power outlet from PC = noise increased PC Sound card is an Asus Xonar Essence STX sound card (Xonar) with 2 rca outputs Nad 302 pre/amplifier Nad 2200 power amp Dali 400 speakers Xonar > 302 > Dali's = No noise Xonar > 302 pre-amp out (turned OFF) to > 2200 (turned ON) > Dali's = huge noise Xonar > 302 pre-amp out (turned ON) to > 2200 (turned ON) > Dali's = even more noise Xonar > 2200 direct > Dali's = medium noise If I remove the rca's from the PC all of the electrical noise disappears - it's quite obviously the PC as when the harddrives go or it startups it's the electrical noises 'amplified' har har. Tested it with 3.5mm iphone headphone jack to RCA into > 302 pre-amp > 2200 > Dali's = no noise (with the interconnect to the pc removed) Swapped each rca cable on each channel = no difference Used different rca cables = no difference Used different rca interconnect = no difference I've bought a ground loop isolator from ebay to put inline from the Xonar rca output to the line-in on the pre-amp (or maybe the interconnect between the pre-amp and the 2200?) - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/290843874171?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 which will arrive in a few days.Other then that.. have reconnected the speakers to the 302 and the pc and it's absolutely silent again.On a slightly amusing side note, I've realised its impossible to use the headphone output on the 302 when its a pre-amp, so aside from having a $400ish 2200 anvil unless I get this ground loop figured out (I'm guessing its a ground loop? That's what I've been googling) I'm looking to immediately get a NAD 372 so I can go back to plugging my headphones in when required. Edited January 7, 2015 by Philip Bateman
Ugly Posted January 7, 2015 Posted January 7, 2015 I feel your pain. One of my amps is not playing nice with my PC. Not sure if my thread will help. http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/76371-new-video-card-noisy/ My amp is dead quite again when I run the lead to a power point in another room rather the room with the PC. 1
andyr Posted January 10, 2015 Posted January 10, 2015 Philip, if your ground loop isolator works - then great! If it doesn't (as you are in Melbourne, too), send me a PM and I will bring over some of my "power products" - to see whether one or more of these can get rid of this noise. I had a terrible noise in my last house when connecting the sound output from my Foxtel box to my stereo (and then playing it back through speakers either side of the TV). The solution I found was to plug TV & Foxtel box into an isolation transformer - so I guess it must've been a ground loop of some sort. Regards, Andy
LogicprObe Posted January 10, 2015 Posted January 10, 2015 On 07/01/2015 at 10:33 AM, Ugly said: I feel your pain. One of my amps is not playing nice with my PC. Not sure if my thread will help. http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/76371-new-video-card-noisy/ My amp is dead quite again when I run the lead to a power point in another room rather the room with the PC. Let us know when you have tried this, Philip.
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