Has anyone tried using Ferrite chokes/beads ?

[MrMan]

Just saw a video on these and its suppose to reduce interference in electrical cables. You've prob seen them on some usb cables.

They got ones that clip onto 3.5mm cables.

 

[Whazzzup]

It kept moving, so I stopped.

 

[dunring]

Just the type 45 help and only against very high frequency interference like a router, phone, or the magnetron in a microwave. It can help if someone puts their phone near their equipment and causes audible interference. There's only a few specialist places that actually specify the type of choke, otherwise it's a gamble it will do nothing.
Playing music on my phone with IEMs there was a background hiss, when I clipped one at the end where it plugged in, the noise floor was quiet. They do work sometimes, just depends on the frequency of the interference your getting. I think it's over 1.2mhz.

 

[MrMan]

The main reason I ask is because I got a pair of Rokit 5s. With balance dual XLR out the distortion went away. After 10 years the dac/amp broke. I tried using 3.5mm with the speakers and they have really bad distortion.

 

[Svperstar]

I'm using PC as a source. When my GPU was going full bore 300+ Watts my PC was making a nasty noise that you couldn't hear over music/sound effects.

I got a cable with 1 ferrite choke, it didn't eliminate the sound. It may have made it a bit quitter.

Ordered a USB isolator, and that completely eliminated the noise. Out of my tube amp if you paused all audio and turned the knob to max you could hear a faint hum. With the isolator its completely gone. I should have done it sooner.

 

[Ghoostknight]

I'm using PC as a source. When my GPU was going full bore 300+ Watts my PC was making a nasty noise that you couldn't hear over music/sound effects.

I got a cable with 1 ferrite choke, it didn't eliminate the sound. It may have made it a bit quitter.

Ordered a USB isolator, and that completely eliminated the noise. Out of my tube amp if you paused all audio and turned the knob to max you could hear a faint hum. With the isolator its completely gone. I should have done it sooner.

that was a ground loop, probably best to always use a usb isolator just for that reason

but i made the expierence that even isolator combined with ferrite chokes still has some benefits.... i just wouldnt go wild on usb cables (1 or 2 ferrite chokes per end) or analog cables (cinch/XLR)..... but you can stack these on power cables.... like 10-20 or these beasts: https://www.mouser.de/ProductDetail/Wurth-Elektronik/74271251?qs=HXFqYaX1Q2yw4zAbn0siWA== for 40 euro per piece (look on the used market for these! got 10 pieces for 70)

as you see 3 turns on this (grey line) gives very good attenuation between 1Mhz and and 1Ghz (probably going to around 2-3Ghz)
attuation depens on the material and tuning, so best is to buy some with a specsheet (but there is also 1-3 youtube videos suggesting the amazon generic ones are fine too)

i wouldnt use these on USB... but on power cables the impact was quite noticable .....5 turns on one of these is as effective as 10-20 of these generic amazon ones.... specially low frequency filtering is improved when making a few turns compared to single turn which mostly is higher frequencys

 

[Svperstar]

i wouldnt use these on USB... but on power cables the impact was quite noticable .....5 turns on one of these is as effective as 10-20 of these generic amazon ones.... specially low frequency filtering is improved when making a few turns compared to single turn which mostly is higher frequencys

I realize its overkill but I have 2 USB cables with 2 ferrite chokes each in between my PC and DAC with the USB isolator in the middle. Even when my PC is going full blast with the AIO and GPU fans running hard there is zero noise if you pause and turn the dial to the max.

Gotta be careful testing that, any sound would probably cause permeant hearing damage at that volume.

 

[Ghoostknight]

I realize its overkill but I have 2 USB cables with 2 ferrite chokes each in between my PC and DAC with the USB isolator in the middle. Even when my PC is going full blast with the AIO and GPU fans running hard there is zero noise if you pause and turn the dial to the max.

Gotta be careful testing that, any sound would probably cause permeant hearing damage at that volume.

an isolator (breaking ground loops) will eliminate most if not all of the really "audible" noise (specially stuff like gpu/pc-mouse noise).... it really comes down to how sensitive you and your system are going much further than this, then you get stuff like calmer listening/blacker background and this subjective stuff


in regards to USB i also made this: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...g-usb-c-plug-board-for-diy-usb-cables.423028/ which i will test soon, just to see if there can be something gained

"active" (really, still passive) noise filtering cables might be the the next step up (atleast i think it makes much more sense than chasing different usb cables because of materials, not saying it doesnt improve things but...)