[FumblingFoo]

Somehow, both digital inputs from my computer - on-board USB and Soundblaster Z sound card optical - are generating the same audible hiss at higher amplification levels. When my DAC / amp is switched to an inactive input, the background is inky black up until around the highest volume levels on maximum gain. Is the background hiss also from the amplifier or is it from my PC internals. If its the PC is there a way to fix the background hiss? I thought I had fixed it before by disabling something but its back now.


Edit: Amp/DAC - Violectric v281 / v850

 

[NA Blur]

It is most likely from the amp as optical should isolate the system from electrical noise. You can try putting everything on the same ground plane ( i.e. the same output / power strip ) and see if that helps. Soundblaster stuff is known to have issues with sound quality unfortunately.

 

[FumblingFoo]

Ok thx for the input .