Grado SR-80's ... Static

[variable114]

I just got a pair of Grado Sr-80's, my first small step into this world...

So far I have only had opportunity to try them hooked into my computer. I am using an Audigy 2 ZS. From what I've read here, this is not ideal, but it's what I currently have so I'm doing my best to enjoy it.

I've ripped a few of my albums in FLAC and have been listening in Foobar as well as the Cowon media center (just wanted to check it out).

While playing in either of these players, I get static regularly in my music. There is no specific time when it happens, is not more consistent during loud parts or when I crank the volume a bit. It just is very apparent at certain times.

Needless to say this is really ruining the experience.

This thread is for me to ask - since I honestly have no reason to believe it's the headphones (tested them in an iPod and had no problem) - if there is ANY reason that this should be happening.

Thanks in advance for any help, the information I have learned before (and hopefully will continue to leran after) this post is incredible.

 

[xinoxide]

number one: soundcard, a crappy soundcard with amazing headphones, is going to bring the headphones down to the soundcards level, the soundcard is no wheres near as bad as i make it out to be, but a pair of headphones like that is going to make it VERY apparent. as soon as you can, you might want to upgrade to a much higher quality audio interface, one made to push very high quality listening products.

for a pure music listening setup, alot of people here might recommend a usb/other digital to analog converter wich you would then amp the analog signal that comes out of that. this will get the audio waveform away from alot of electronic interference. but if you use the computer for much more than music - example: playing games, a good soundcard with amp will do very nicely.

(this may be a bit biased im sorry, bad experiences with audigy cards)

also, might try muting everything on the soundcard thast not being used, like mic levels and such, even if not being utilised with mic, the card can still pick up electronic signals, and being a soundcard mic channel, its going to amp that very faint static.

 

[variable114]

thanks a bunch.

i know there are a wide variety of options, but if anyone could throw a few my way I'd really appreciate it.

I don't really do much on my machine besides web browsing and music listening, so an upgrade is certainly a possibility. I'm just honestly not sure what the best direction to go is, or which amp/dac etc. to go with (not that I think that can be answered specifically, just explaining my situation).

So, I guess with about $300-$400 to spend, what would make the biggest difference in an upgrade? sound card first, or should I start with some extra equipment? (amp/dac, etc)

 

[Surgical]

Try unhooking all USB devices. My KRK studio monitors have all kinds of noise if I have even my printer plugged in.
Also, have you tried regular MP3/wav or just FLAC?

 

[Joshatdot]

place the sound card as far from the CPU & Vid card, it might help.

 

[variable114]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surgical /img/forum/go_quote.gif Try unhooking all USB devices. My KRK studio monitors have all kinds of noise if I have even my printer plugged in. Also, have you tried regular MP3/wav or just FLAC?

tried both mp3 and flac.

 

[variable114]

I figure it's better to bump this than make a new thread in the headphone forum, but I got my X5L is the mail today, and the same songs that were staticy on my computer have static on this player.

the only thing left for it to be are my headphones, or the music itself. the latter doesn't make sense as it was MP3 AND FLAC... it would mean the song itself has fairly heavy static.

 

[smegger]

hi mate just plugged my sr-80 into mobo sound to see if i got the same problem and yea large amount of hiss until i double clicked on the volume thingy and muted everything bar the mater and wave volume, muting the mic on made a huge difference actually sounds ok now.

 

[hardnrg]

a lot of recordings have background hiss... I guess not every studio in the history of music recording had a noise floor of -150dB