Hi all,
I understand that ideally you want 1 device in an electrically connected audio system to be grounded - not multiple if possible.
For a simple setup, say I have a USB DAC and headphone amp combo, connected directly to a laptop.
Laptop is connected to AC power via un-earthed typical SMPS power brick.
I have some audible hum going through my headphones but when I earth the USB DAC, hum disappears.
I understand ground loop him is caused by voltage differentials, causing ground currents to travel through my body in this case.
My question : when I earth the USB DAC, instead of ground currents traveling through my body (causing the hum), where are these currents now going ?
I've always wondered - these currents travel in loops, so what is this new loop formed? With only 1 device earthed in this example
cc @solderdude
I understand that ideally you want 1 device in an electrically connected audio system to be grounded - not multiple if possible.
For a simple setup, say I have a USB DAC and headphone amp combo, connected directly to a laptop.
Laptop is connected to AC power via un-earthed typical SMPS power brick.
I have some audible hum going through my headphones but when I earth the USB DAC, hum disappears.
I understand ground loop him is caused by voltage differentials, causing ground currents to travel through my body in this case.
My question : when I earth the USB DAC, instead of ground currents traveling through my body (causing the hum), where are these currents now going ?
I've always wondered - these currents travel in loops, so what is this new loop formed? With only 1 device earthed in this example
cc @solderdude