dparm
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2013
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Hi all, have been getting a lot of audible RFI & EMI from my computer setup as of late and I am really reaching the end of my ropes trying to get rid of it. I would describe it as a very faint squealing/beeping/clicking. It always happens when the computer is "busy" doing something like reading/writing data to the SSD, transferring a lot of data across the network, or sometimes even moving the mouse around.
My chain of devices is as such:
Computer --> Audinst HUD-mx1 USB DAC --> Blue Jeans LC-1 stereo audio cables (6ft) --> JBL LSR2310 subwoofer --> Monoprice XLR cables (10ft) --> JBL LSR2325P speakers
Here's what I've tried without success:
1. replaced computer power supply
2. replaced USB cable (non-ferrite & no choke, by the way, per the USB specification)
3. replaced stereo audio cables
4. moved DAC to other side of desk
5. replaced computer power strip
6. added ferrite chokes to speaker & subwoofer power cables
7. tightened all motherboard mounting screws
8. tried all 8 USB ports (including the front 2 on the case)
9. unplugged all USB devices except the DAC
10. toggled spread spectrum clocking on motherboard
If I plug the USB DAC into my laptop, there is zero interference. Or if I switch to the motherboard's on-board Realtek HD audio, the problem is mostly eliminated (still a very slight hiss but the RFI/EMI is almost entirely gone), leading me to believe the motherboard is introducing a ton of noise onto the USB bus somehow. eVGA is allowing me to RMA it, so hopefully that will be the end of it.
What annoys me most is how the RFI/EMI is right on the threshold of being audible, but as a person with very good hearing, it bugs me to no end. It's especially noticeable during video games or movies when I'm intently focused and a quiet scene comes up.
Thoughts?
My chain of devices is as such:
Computer --> Audinst HUD-mx1 USB DAC --> Blue Jeans LC-1 stereo audio cables (6ft) --> JBL LSR2310 subwoofer --> Monoprice XLR cables (10ft) --> JBL LSR2325P speakers
Here's what I've tried without success:
1. replaced computer power supply
2. replaced USB cable (non-ferrite & no choke, by the way, per the USB specification)
3. replaced stereo audio cables
4. moved DAC to other side of desk
5. replaced computer power strip
6. added ferrite chokes to speaker & subwoofer power cables
7. tightened all motherboard mounting screws
8. tried all 8 USB ports (including the front 2 on the case)
9. unplugged all USB devices except the DAC
10. toggled spread spectrum clocking on motherboard
If I plug the USB DAC into my laptop, there is zero interference. Or if I switch to the motherboard's on-board Realtek HD audio, the problem is mostly eliminated (still a very slight hiss but the RFI/EMI is almost entirely gone), leading me to believe the motherboard is introducing a ton of noise onto the USB bus somehow. eVGA is allowing me to RMA it, so hopefully that will be the end of it.
What annoys me most is how the RFI/EMI is right on the threshold of being audible, but as a person with very good hearing, it bugs me to no end. It's especially noticeable during video games or movies when I'm intently focused and a quiet scene comes up.
Thoughts?
