Noise at 0 dB and up, what to do??

[HDwannaB]

Hi all,

I currently have an X-series 5.1 setup with a Yamaha HTR-5960 Receiver and have noticed something that is a cause for concern to me. Last night I got this itch to see if I could detect any noise in my audio system (most likely due to reading too many posts on this website and becoming addicted to making my entry level system the best it could be). So, I turned off my DVD player but set my receiver selector to DVD such that I could turn up the speakers loud and listen for noise alone. I did'nt hear anything until i reached about 0 dB and the noise grew to "conversation" level at +15 dB. I realize I wont get to +15 dB often if ever under normal music or movie use but it still concerns me as I do get to 0 dB at times.

My question is if this noise (which reminds me of my TV when the cable is not hooked up and its *snowing*) is just a a byproduct of insane listening levels, a problem that is related to my entry-level receiver, or something a surge suppressor with noise filtering capabilities can eliminate or atleast significantly reduce. If this is a bogus test that I am doing please let me know!

Other system info:

12 AWG wire used for all speakers
cheap power strip I had laying around

 

[MDS]

If this is a bogus test that I am doing please let me know!

Instead of bogus, I would call it irrelevant.

When you have nothing connected to a given input (or the device is simply off) and you turn up the volume you are simply amplifying the noise floor of the receiver.

A receiver that possibly had a higher signal to noise ratio might allow you to turn up the volume higher before you hear any noise but there will always be some noise with that kind of test and it is of no concern.

 

[j_garcia]

12 AWG wire gains you nothing as well (it doesn't hurt, but it doesn't really help in the typical system), and will not factor into any noise you hear.

If you are turning it up to "0", you may not have enough amplification to do what you are asking of your system and run the risk of damaging your speakers.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Hi all,
I currently have an X-series 5.1 setup with a Yamaha HTR-5960 Receiver and have noticed something that is a cause for concern to me. Last night I got this itch to see if I could detect any noise in my audio system (most likely due to reading too many posts on this website and becoming addicted to making my entry level system the best it could be). So, I turned off my DVD player but set my receiver selector to DVD such that I could turn up the speakers loud and listen for noise alone. I did'nt hear anything until i reached about 0 dB and the noise grew to "conversation" level at +15 dB. I realize I wont get to +15 dB often if ever under normal music or movie use but it still concerns me as I do get to 0 dB at times.
My question is if this noise (which reminds me of my TV when the cable is not hooked up and its *snowing*) is just a a byproduct of insane listening levels, a problem that is related to my entry-level receiver, or something a surge suppressor with noise filtering capabilities can eliminate or atleast significantly reduce. If this is a bogus test that I am doing please let me know!
Other system info:
12 AWG wire used for all speakers
cheap power strip I had laying around

There are shorting RCA plugs that you can buy, real shorting plugs, not just caps. Buy a pair and then repeat your test and see what happens

Not hard to pick up micro-volt noise even though the player is off, and have it amplified to the max as you did.

 

[MDS]

A few years back the editor of Secrets, John Johnson, sent me a 6 pack of Cardas Caps to try out (I think these are NOT shorting RCA plugs). They look nice but I couldn't tell any difference whatsoever with them in place when doing the same sort of test as HDwannaB.