Mini300 and DAC advice

[Dale0]

Hello everyone,
I’ve just bought a Mini300 for my Diamond 12.1i desktop near field setup, does the balanced D10 pair well with this amplifier?
I was considering a balanced DAC to help eliminate noise caused by the GPU under load or when moving the mouse.
Thank you.

 

[Vincent Kars]

Most of the time noise caused by a GPU is a ground loop.
You likely better off with a USB isolator

USB Noise / Ground Loop - Best Solution

Hello, I just bought some speakers (Adam Audio T5V) and I'm having some noise issues. My current set up is: PC connected to Topping D10S (via USB) Topping D10S connected to Topping L30 (via RCA cables) Topping L30 connected to the speakers (via out RCA cables) Topping L30 connected to my...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[staticV3]

Or with a DAC that has Optical input.

Either that or a USB isolator will prevent GPU noise from reaching the speakers.

If your PC lacks Optical out, then you can add that using a HiFime UT23 or SMSL PO100 2024.

 

[Dale0]

Thanks for the tips! To be honest, I've already tried using a cheap DAC with an Optical input because my PC has one, thinking it would solve everything. However, the noise from the mouse and GPU was still there.

Since the optical cable didn't help, I'm wondering if the issue is with the RCA cables picking up interference. That's why I was thinking about a balanced DAC (like the D10 Balanced) to connect to the Mini300.

Does it make sense to try a balanced setup in this case? Or should I just go straight for a USB isolator instead?

 

[MaxwellsEq]

Since the optical cable didn't help, I'm wondering if the issue is with the RCA cables picking up interference.

It might be, but it's quite unlikely. Certainly a balanced setup may help because it can minimise "common" noise injection (i e. noise impacting both + and - wires at the same time). It can also help with some grounding issues.

I am surprised that a fiber-only connection didn't help.

 

[staticV3]

To be honest, I've already tried using a cheap DAC with an Optical input because my PC has one, thinking it would solve everything. However, the noise from the mouse and GPU was still there.

From where did you give the DAC power?

 

[Dale0]

I initially powered the DAC via the PC's USB port, then I tried using an external phone charger, that was plugged into the same power strip as the PC and the amplifier, but the noise persisted.

 

[Bleib]

On the PC you can try both USB2 and 3.x outputs. That can have an effect on the noise.