[nubje]

Hope someone can help!
 
I'm getting some background noise from my PC audio setup, it white noise and it changes very slightly when I do things like open chrome tabs etc. It doesn't sound anything like this https://youtu.be/FwZTB8CDDgM?t=3s though, just white noise basically.
 
My setup is:
 
PC -> USB cable -> ODAC (revB) -> RCA -> Icon Audio HP8 MK2 amp -> AKG K7XX
 
With the amp at 0% volume, I can hear the noise very slightly. If I turn up the gain on the amp the static noise gets louder. On low gain its very quiet but noticeable.
 
After doing a bit of research, this may be caused by ground loop interference.
 
Both the amp and PC are plugged in to the same 4 gang extension cable, the extension is plugged into a powerline adapter. Both plugs are earthed
 
 
 
 
This is what I've tried so far:
 
Amp was connected 2 metres away into a separate, dedicated power socket, same issue
ODAC was swapped for a USB DAC/AMP (Cambridge Audio DAC XS) then connected to amp, same issue.
ODAC was connected to a laptop (plugged in and not plugged in), then connected to amp, no noise.
Headphones directly into the PC or directly into the DAC XS work fine, no noise.
 
 
 
So something to do with having a physical connection between the amp and PC is causing this. Its probably a grounding issue on my PC but I'm not really sure what I can do to fix it. My PC was built by myself and has a good quality PSU (Seasonic Platinum Fanless 520W).
 
Theres a couple of things I've found which might fix it:
 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/HifimeDIY-Isolator-ADUM4160-signal-isolation/dp/B00M1QQBJ0 (this only provides 200mA of power, is this enough for the ODAC?)
 
or 
 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/AV-Link-201-086-Skytronic-Isolator/dp/B000NVWB9O
 
(or both?!?)

 

[oAmadeuso]

Sounds like my experience of "ground loop noise" I had years ago.
 
Can't remember how I fixed it though.

 

[dmbr]

I've reduced background noise on my setup by upgrading my DAC and amp's power cables, upgrading my USB cables (and adding an iUSB, iPurifier2, and Uptone Regen to the chain), and using a power conditioner.

 

[jmmtn4aj]

Get a ground loop isolator off Amazon

 

[nubje]

Well so far, the HiFime has completely fixed it. Fingers crossed it doesn't come back 

 

[PixelSquish]

man i am having the same issue with my primary desktop rig i built myself using premium components.
 
PC>Oppo HA-2 line out>Burson Soloist SL>Headphones = whtie noise plus lots of little other squelchy-like noises tied to activity of the pc (mouse scrolling, windows opening, etc) 
 
PC>Oppo HA-2>Headphones sounds crystal clear
 
Laptop>Oppo HA-2 line out>Burson Soloist SL> Headphones = no noises and virtually zero white noise
 
 
doesn't do it if it's on my laptop so it's something to do with my pc build.
 
 
Both the amp and pc were plugged into the same surge protector so I changed that and that helped a bunch with the noises that occured like say scrolling on a mouse instigated,  but still just the white noise is there. when connected to my laptop it's definitely much quieter as in almost no white noise at all so there is still something going on that's fishy. 
 
glad i found this thread
 
 
ordered a different brand usb isolator with one day shipping from Amazon and will report back tomorrow. 

 

[nubje]

Hope that fixes it for you as well.
 
When I mute my music now, its dead silent, can only just hear the rain outside.

 

[PixelSquish]

  Hope that fixes it for you as well.
 
When I mute my music now, its dead silent, can only just hear the rain outside.

well i used this http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XXPO4UG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00 it had good ratings but now my pc will not recognize the USB device. hmmmm.

 

[PixelSquish]

  Hope that fixes it for you as well.
 
When I mute my music now, its dead silent, can only just hear the rain outside.

i ordered the same thing you used to see if that works. 
 
just for fun i tried plugging in the Soloist into a completely different wall socket and it was dead silent. so at least i know a 10 ft extension cord will solve my problems

 

[nubje]

Did you manage to fix it?

 

[PixelSquish]

  Did you manage to fix it?

not yet still waiting for that usb isolator you got to arrive. plan B will be a simple extension cord which i know will work.

 

[audio123]

  not yet still waiting for that usb isolator you got to arrive. plan B will be a simple extension cord which i know will work.

Use an impedance plug

 

[PixelSquish]

 
Use an impedance plug

so what worked for you worked for me! thanks!  http://www.amazon.co.uk/HifimeDIY-Isolator-ADUM4160-signal-isolation/dp/B00M1QQBJ0
 
Cheers!

 

[audio123]

  so what worked for you worked for me! thanks!  http://www.amazon.co.uk/HifimeDIY-Isolator-ADUM4160-signal-isolation/dp/B00M1QQBJ0
 
Cheers!

did it actually work for u? i sense sarcasm

 

[PixelSquish]

 
did it actually work for u? i sense sarcasm

no sarcasm. it worked! i can only hear the tiniest bit of hiss when the volume is all the way up on my Soloist SL amp. besides that at all other volumes it is dead quiet