AudioNoob Question

[zeroreez]

Sorry if this is a dumb question but I've done some searching and haven't come up with a concrete answer yet on how to best solve my audio issues. I'm currently running PC > Topping E50 via USB (through an iFi iDefender+) > Schiit Asgard 3 via unbalanced RCA > 600ohm DT880 or hifiman sundaras. The issue is, even with the iDefender+ I get GPU coil whine and all kinds of EMI and/or ground loop interference, especially when gaming. Even things like a flick of the mouse wheel can have an audible effect. Obviously that doesn't come through when there's tons of sound effects coming from the game but in menu screens or alt-tabbing while a game is running in the background I get all kinds of static noise.

My mobo doesn't have optical out so I was looking at buying a PCIE sound card with optical out to completely remove the EMI and/or ground loop from the equation. Apparently the timing sync of both ends is very important so I don't think I want a cheap card but does anyone have recommendations on a card or some other way to drastically reduce or remove the interference I'm getting?? I'm not interested in shielding every single cable and doing faraday cages around my components...

Thanks for any help/advice!!

 

[staticV3]

Hi @zeroreez! Welcome to ASR!

The issue is, even with the iDefender+ I get GPU coil whine and all kinds of EMI and/or ground loop interference, especially when gaming. Even things like a flick of the mouse wheel can have an audible effect. Obviously that doesn't come through when there's tons of sound effects coming from the game but in menu screens or alt-tabbing while a game is running in the background I get all kinds of static noise.

My mobo doesn't have optical out so I was looking at buying a PCIE sound card with optical out to completely remove the EMI and/or ground loop from the equation. Apparently the timing sync of both ends is very important so I don't think I want a cheap card but does anyone have recommendations on a card or some other way to drastically reduce or remove the interference I'm getting??

"Timing sync" at both ends is not very important. Even a cheap USB->Toslink converter will do the job just fine.

Here are a few such converters:

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[Dunring]

I have a gaming PC also and eliminated video card coil whine by undervolting it which increased performance quite a bit and dropped temps as well so fans curved down for less noise. I have a MB with no optical, so I got an optical USB cable by Fibbr which is 16ft and ran it to a powered USB hub. Now have a completely silent noise floor, and located the hub away from everything. Also I'm able to use short USB cables to the DAC for best performance.
These types of cables go on 50 percent off on Amazon and eBay has them for $40 or so. It just takes a USB hub with a C or micro b input cable for data to match the cable.