I'm having USB ground loop issues (confirmed) using the Soncoz LA-QXD1, a highly praised DAC around these parts. These isolators work perfectly for crushing USB ground loops.Any half-decent DAC -- and I am talking $99 and above -- produces great performance by filtering its own USB power. And isolating its digital stream from the DAC output.
Use a powered USB hub or a cable like thisnot enough power got through.
Yes, i tried that. Worked for some time, but i ran into connection problems and some day lost my temper.A self-powered hub on the isolated side should also provide enough power and has the best compatibility. However, the power supply has to be sufficiently isolated in order to preserve the benefits. Some USB hubs take their power from a 5 V supply, those could even be powered with a power bank.
Some of these Corning cables on amazon have 2.5/3 stars and lots of bad reviews. I'm not sure how long these optical cables last, some seem to break really quickly (so perhaps not that future proof? ).If you want future proof:
When you say "SPDIF", do you mean Toslink (optical) or Coax (RCA/electrical)?not via SPDIF though.
I gave you a like because this is a interesting issue. This not a uncommon issue with PC to audio system interfacing. I am veryyy fortunate that I have a silent PC but I bought the more expensive gear and it paid off I think. It's either your video card, the motherboard or the power supply.I have got quite a specific problem and was wondering if anyone could tell me whether a USB isolator would fix it:
The problem I would like to solve in my current situation is that in graphically intensive games my PC generates a rather loud humming noise through my RME ADI-2 DAC into my active speakers and sub via XLR, when connected via USB - not via SPDIF though.
I also have the same question about whether SPDIF is coax or Toslink.I have got quite a specific problem and was wondering if anyone could tell me whether a USB isolator would fix it:
The problem I would like to solve in my current situation is that in graphically intensive games my PC generates a rather loud humming noise through my RME ADI-2 DAC into my active speakers and sub via XLR, when connected via USB - not via SPDIF though.
Yes - there have been a few times where I have had noise issues caused by a bad laptop power supply inducing audible noise via an audio interface / powered speakers. My only choice was to run the laptop on battery.It is a good thing audio quality does not change.
Quite certain it does what it is designed for: breaking ground loops/electrical isolation from the PC yet using the USB for convenience.
Sorry, I mean optical.When you say "SPDIF", do you mean Toslink (optical) or Coax (RCA/electrical)?
I am quite sure that it is from the video card, as the humming only occurs in graphically intensive applications.I gave you a like because this is a interesting issue. This not a uncommon issue with PC to audio system interfacing. I am veryyy fortunate that I have a silent PC but I bought the more expensive gear and it paid off I think. It's either your video card, the motherboard or the power supply.
So you mean the USB isolator would not be the solution to my problem? I thought it might be USB ground loop, as I sometimes can „hear“ mouse movement for example.I also have the same question about whether SPDIF is coax or Toslink.
The most likely issue is a ground loop. If your speakers are on a different circuit than your RME and computer you have the possibility of that even via XLR.
Yes, that is what appears on the surface but go down a couple of levels in the circuit design(s) and it becomes apparent that any of those 3 that I mentioned can be at fault.I am quite sure that it is from the video card, as the humming only occurs in graphically intensive applications.