Smidge
Member
Hi all,
After adding the SHD to my audio chain there is audible hum and hiss coming through the speakers. I added an audio file (no pun intended) so you can hear for yourself: Link to audio
Previously I had another DAC without grounding that didn’t seem to add noticeable noise through my speakers. I’m aware of the possibility of ground loops and read many threads on ASR and did the following to analyze and verify:
I unplugged everything and started connecting devices one by one to locate where the noise is introduced. The outcome is that by connecting the SHD via RCA to my amp the noise is introduced. Even without any cables connected to the inputs of the SHD. The noice is only audible when the SHD input is selected on my amp. I also connected the SHD directly to the power amp - bypassing the pre-amp of my integrated amp - and again the same hum and hiss.
To try to mitigate possible ground loop issues I tried:
- connecting the SHD and amp to the same wall power outlet
- connecting all audio devices to one single power strip
This didn’t seem to make any difference.
Unfortunately my amp doesn’t have balanced inputs. I’m now at the point where I’m considering to sell my integrated amp and buy a power amp with balanced inputs, but that isn’t a guarantee the issues will disappear. So before going this path, I want to verify if the issues are indeed introduced via the grounding of the SHD. All my wall outlets are grounded, but I was thinking to connect the SHD to a non-grounded power strip. But I’m not sure this is a responsible thing to do from a safety point of view.
Everything above is what I thought of and did so far but I’m a newbie on these things and I might be overlooking other things.
Any thoughts?
After adding the SHD to my audio chain there is audible hum and hiss coming through the speakers. I added an audio file (no pun intended) so you can hear for yourself: Link to audio
Previously I had another DAC without grounding that didn’t seem to add noticeable noise through my speakers. I’m aware of the possibility of ground loops and read many threads on ASR and did the following to analyze and verify:
I unplugged everything and started connecting devices one by one to locate where the noise is introduced. The outcome is that by connecting the SHD via RCA to my amp the noise is introduced. Even without any cables connected to the inputs of the SHD. The noice is only audible when the SHD input is selected on my amp. I also connected the SHD directly to the power amp - bypassing the pre-amp of my integrated amp - and again the same hum and hiss.
To try to mitigate possible ground loop issues I tried:
- connecting the SHD and amp to the same wall power outlet
- connecting all audio devices to one single power strip
This didn’t seem to make any difference.
Unfortunately my amp doesn’t have balanced inputs. I’m now at the point where I’m considering to sell my integrated amp and buy a power amp with balanced inputs, but that isn’t a guarantee the issues will disappear. So before going this path, I want to verify if the issues are indeed introduced via the grounding of the SHD. All my wall outlets are grounded, but I was thinking to connect the SHD to a non-grounded power strip. But I’m not sure this is a responsible thing to do from a safety point of view.
Everything above is what I thought of and did so far but I’m a newbie on these things and I might be overlooking other things.
Any thoughts?