Connecting a laptop to high-end speakers

[DFox]

Hi,

I have a pretty annoying problem. As my primary computer, I use a laptop. I purchased some really good speakers a few days ago. I am extremely happy with the audio quality. Anyway, here's my issue. I'm getting annoying amounts of interference from the laptop or something nearby. It can't be heard when the music is decently loud, but when there isn't any music on, you can hear a constant sort of buzzing sound. It's definitely coming from the wire because if I disconnect the wire and dock my iPod in the speakers you get none of the interference.

Anyway, the first wire I purchased was this one: Cables To Go - 27411 - 6ft 3.5mm M/M Stereo Audio Cable PC-99 I can't post the link, but it can be found on amazon.com. That was the worst.

Then, I found this one that stated it was shielded, so I bought it: Cables Unlimited AUD-1105-10 10-Feet Pro A/V Series 3.5mm Stereo Audio Cable It seems a little better but it still produces a noticeable buzzing.

Now, I'm looking at this cable: BELKIN PURE AV AV20601-06 6 ft. Mini-Stereo Audio Cable which can be found on Newegg.com. I would buy it in a second if I knew it would fix the problem, but I'm not sure now...

Which is why I'm looking for help. Does anyone know a mini-stereo cable that will eliminate the buzzing? It doesn't really matter how much it costs, I'm sort of a perfectionist when it comes to my audio so I just want to get this annoying sound to go away. I also purchased EMI tape, which I'll have soon, because I was thinking maybe wrapping the cable in that would shield it even more, but being that it's going right in to the computer I'm really not sure.

And just to clarify, I'm using the mini-stereo output on the computer to go to the speakers.

EDIT:

OK, I just did some more research, and I'm pretty certain now that this is a ground loop issue. I have both my laptop and the speakers plugged in to the same power surge, and when I unplug the laptop and let it run from battery, I get no buzzing. But, that won't fix it because I need to have the laptop plugged in. Even when I plug the laptop straight into the outlet instead of the surge, it still does the buzzing sound. Does anyone know how to fix this?

Any help on this issue is greatly appreciated.

Regards,
~David

 

[TLS Guy]

Hi,

I have a pretty annoying problem. As my primary computer, I use a laptop. I purchased some really good speakers a few days ago. I am extremely happy with the audio quality. Anyway, here's my issue. I'm getting annoying amounts of interference from the laptop or something nearby. It can't be heard when the music is decently loud, but when there isn't any music on, you can hear a constant sort of buzzing sound. It's definitely coming from the wire because if I disconnect the wire and dock my iPod in the speakers you get none of the interference.

Anyway, the first wire I purchased was this one: Cables To Go - 27411 - 6ft 3.5mm M/M Stereo Audio Cable PC-99 I can't post the link, but it can be found on amazon.com. That was the worst.

Then, I found this one that stated it was shielded, so I bought it: Cables Unlimited AUD-1105-10 10-Feet Pro A/V Series 3.5mm Stereo Audio Cable It seems a little better but it still produces a noticeable buzzing.

Now, I'm looking at this cable: BELKIN PURE AV AV20601-06 6 ft. Mini-Stereo Audio Cable which can be found on Newegg.com. I would buy it in a second if I knew it would fix the problem, but I'm not sure now...

Which is why I'm looking for help. Does anyone know a mini-stereo cable that will eliminate the buzzing? It doesn't really matter how much it costs, I'm sort of a perfectionist when it comes to my audio so I just want to get this annoying sound to go away. I also purchased EMI tape, which I'll have soon, because I was thinking maybe wrapping the cable in that would shield it even more, but being that it's going right in to the computer I'm really not sure.

And just to clarify, I'm using the mini-stereo output on the computer to go to the speakers.

EDIT:

OK, I just did some more research, and I'm pretty certain now that this is a ground loop issue. I have both my laptop and the speakers plugged in to the same power surge, and when I unplug the laptop and let it run from battery, I get no buzzing. But, that won't fix it because I need to have the laptop plugged in. Even when I plug the laptop straight into the outlet instead of the surge, it still does the buzzing sound. Does anyone know how to fix this?

Any help on this issue is greatly appreciated.

Regards,
~David

You must have a laptop with a three pin plug which is unusual, most are two pin.

Get a ground break at you local hardware store, and lift the ground to your computer.

You are correct, this is a ground loop.

 

[DFox]

You must have a laptop with a three pin plug which is unusual, most are two pin.

Get a ground break at you local hardware store, and lift the ground to your computer.

You are correct, this is a ground loop.

Yes, my laptop is three prong.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I really don't want to do that and risk causing a problem with the electricity. I live in a very regulated place and I could get in trouble for violating any electricity regulations.

Anyway, I was doing research, and it seems the best solution is purchasing a power filter. I'm looking at the Monster HTS850. Do you think the power filter will solve the problem? Any input on this would be appreciated.

 

[Djizasse]

Cheap GL isolator - is this good?
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062214

 

[TLS Guy]

Cheap GL isolator - is this good?
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062214

That unit uses a transformer, so there is no direct connection between the two. It will work, but at that price the transformer may affect sound quality.

The issue is though, that those external power supplies do not need a ground, which is why most do not have them. Removing the ground in this circumstance will do no harm and be perfectly safe. It will then be the same as just about any other laptop. That is his cheapest and best solution.

A power conditioner would not help at all. There is nothing wrong with the power, there is just a resistance between grounds, and I suspect it is his external computer power supply that is creating it.

In any event, while he is connected to his audio system, his laptop will be grounded, through the audio cable, which will almost certainly be better than the one through the computer power supply.

There is ZERO chance of shock, as there is at most 20 volts in a laptop. There is also ZERO chance of any property damage from lifting the ground to the computer power supply.

 

[Rickster71]

I agree with TLS.
If you're still reticent, another solution would be to plug everything into the same outlet, or power strip.

 

[TLS Guy]

I agree with TLS.
If you're still reticent, another solution would be to plug everything into the same outlet, or power strip.

Thanks for the support Rick!

Rick by the way is an electrician and a very good one.

The whole issue of reticence to use ground lifters, I think is way over blown anyway. If there is one ground other units will ground through the shields of the audio cables. There is the issue if you disconnect something. However power should always be off when plugging and unplugging units to avoid thumps gong through to speakers. In a permanent installation I have no problem with the ground one piece of equipment rule. Generally that will result in the best signal to noise ratios.

 

[DFox]

That unit uses a transformer, so there is no direct connection between the two. It will work, but at that price the transformer may affect sound quality.

The issue is though, that those external power supplies do not need a ground, which is why most do not have them. Removing the ground in this circumstance will do no harm and be perfectly safe. It will then be the same as just about any other laptop. That is his cheapest and best solution.

A power conditioner would not help at all. There is nothing wrong with the power, there is just a resistance between grounds, and I suspect it is his external computer power supply that is creating it.

In any event, while he is connected to his audio system, his laptop will be grounded, through the audio cable, which will almost certainly be better than the one through the computer power supply.

There is ZERO chance of shock, as there is at most 20 volts in a laptop. There is also ZERO chance of any property damage from lifting the ground to the computer power supply.

OK, you seem to know much more than me about this, so I'm going to take your word for it. I'll buy a 3-2 prong adapter today when I go out. And yeah, I looked at isolators, but I can't use anything that actually modifies the sound output because I don't want to mess with quality. Thank you again for your expertise.

I agree with TLS.
If you're still reticent, another solution would be to plug everything into the same outlet, or power strip.

I had no luck with this. My setup since the beginning has been the laptop and speakers in a power surge along with a few other things. But it makes the noise with that setup.

 

[TLS Guy]

OK, you seem to know much more than me about this, so I'm going to take your word for it. I'll buy a 3-2 prong adapter today when I go out. And yeah, I looked at isolators, but I can't use anything that actually modifies the sound output because I don't want to mess with quality. Thank you again for your expertise.



I had no luck with this. My setup since the beginning has been the laptop and speakers in a power surge along with a few other things. But it makes the noise with that setup.

I thought as much, as the resistance to ground is caused by the laptop external power supply most likely

 

[DFox]

Update!

I just went to the store and I purchased some 3-2 adapters. Got home, plugged my laptop into one, put it in the power surge, and wallah!! FIXED. Worked perfectly, silence when no music is playing, speakers are on, and laptop is plugged in.

Thanks so much all, I really appreciate it.

 

[TLS Guy]

Update!

I just went to the store and I purchased some 3-2 adapters. Got home, plugged my laptop into one, put it in the power surge, and wallah!! FIXED. Worked perfectly, silence when no music is playing, speakers are on, and laptop is plugged in.

Thanks so much all, I really appreciate it.

Thanks for the follow up. I'm glad we could help.