Impossible Ground Loop?? Tried for months.

[kennytroy]

EDIT: Probable Solution

From the information I've gathered the cause seems to be my unbalanced dual 1/4" to 3.5mm aux cable.

Solution: Return my internal soundcard that I just purchased. Buy a USB interface, and buy two individual XLR cables to run from the L/R speaker independently into the two balanced L/R XLR ports on the USB adapter.

Hello, first I want to thank you for reading this and offering any advice possible.

I have been struggling with what I assume is a 120Hz ground loop issue for months now since building my PC, and I have read nearly everything and tried 85% of solutions suggested on the internet - nothing seems to work.

I will give all relevant information as neatly as possible, followed by solutions I have tried. Located in U.S.A.

My PC Build

Motherboard: TUF Z270 Mark II
Graphics Card: GTX 1050 Ti
Power Supply: EVGA 550 G3
Cooling: Corsair H60
Memory: 16GB TridentZ RGB (8gb x 2)
Processor: i7 7700k
Internal Soundcard: Audigy Rx
Monitor: Samsung CF591 27" Curved
Speakers: Yamaha HS7's

** Please note that I purchased my internal Audigy Rx soundcard as a "solution" after already having experienced this buzzing for several months via my graphic card's audio card.

How I'm Connected

I have a lot of wires running between my computer, monitor, and my TV which is wall-mounted directly above my desktop build. I assumed this was a problem, so for simplicity I disconnected everything and only connected what is necessary to solving this problem.

Wall Outlet -> Power strip with three connections: (1) computer power supply, (2,3) power cords for both Yamaha HS7 speakers

I am connected from the speakers to my desktop via dual 1/4" to 3.5mm aux.

What I've Tried, What Doesn't Work

- Disconnected all other wires that are not my computer's power supply, and my two Yamaha HS7 speaker power cords, does not work
- Purchased an internal Audigy Rx soundcard, does not work
- I have tired three different outlets in my room, and even tried outlets in other rooms, does not work
- My computer is placed on a cardboard box so that it is not touching carpet, does not work
- Tried external USB adapter, does not work
- Tried a second pair of 1/4" to 3.5mm cables, does not work

Other Connections That Work
- Plugging the dual 1/4" to 3.5mm aux into my phone
- Plugging the dual 1/4" to 3.5mm aux into my laptop, with the laptop power cord plugged into the same [or different] outlet as the speakers

What the flying fuck is happening?

I am at a total loss. I was going to buy one of those Hum X ground loop adapters, but I am SO HESITANT to continue spending money on solutions that seem to not be working.

Is there a hardware problem?
Is it a problem with my 1/4" cables?
Is there incompatibility somewhere in the electricity field?
Am I totally fucked?

Thank you guys so much.

 

[Jetster]

So whats the problem ? sound, video and what country
Adapter?
What USB interface, how you going to 1/4 in?
Are you using TRS balanced cables on your monitors (three prongs) not two

Balanced Cables and Signals

A balanced cable, by contrast, has three conductors in the connector and three wires in the cable: two signals wires plus a separate ground wire. As in the unbalanced cable, the ground wire still surrounds the signal wires and is used as a shield against interference. But what makes a balanced cable special is the way the gear utilizes that extra signal wire.
A final note: a monaural, balanced signal requires a TRS plug - tip is audio plus, ring is audio minus, sleeve is shield ground and carries no audio!

 

[Deleted member 67555]

Have you tried other speakers to rule out the HS7's....
Issue sounds like an amp grounding issue.

 

[bug]

For all the details you have provided, you haven't stated your problem.
If your problem is audio buzzing, the solution is simple: use a digital out.

 

[Caring1]

If you keep your phone on the desk near the speakers, move it away.

 

[kennytroy]

So whats the problem ? sound, video and what country
Adapter?
What USB interface, how you going to 1/4 in?
Are you using TRS balanced cables on your monitors (three prongs) not two

Balanced Cables and Signals

A balanced cable, by contrast, has three conductors in the connector and three wires in the cable: two signals wires plus a separate ground wire. As in the unbalanced cable, the ground wire still surrounds the signal wires and is used as a shield against interference. But what makes a balanced cable special is the way the gear utilizes that extra signal wire.
A final note: a monaural, balanced signal requires a TRS plug - tip is audio plus, ring is audio minus, sleeve is shield ground and carries no audio!

I am experiencing what sounds like a 120hz hum coming from both speakers. Sorry I did not include this at the beginning.

United States.

I am not using a USB interface, I am plugging the dual 1/4" to 3.5mm aux cable from my Yamaha speakers directly into my desktop's graphic card audio port [and now I am instead using an internal Audigy Rx soundcard]. Below is a photo of my actual cable (one of the two, they're near the same though)

All my power cords have three prongs.

Appreciate the help!

 

[johnspack]

Your images don't seem to be working! Also, I had the same type of issue. Turned out to be my cable for my tv and internet. Had the cable co come out and ground my cable,
hum gone.

 

[kennytroy]

Have you tried other speakers to rule out the HS7's....
Issue sounds like an amp grounding issue.

I have a pair of KRK Rokit 5's, I will try them when I get home from this business meeting ~ one hour. One of the ports is broken due to a rowdy friend of mine at a party, so I have not used them in over a year.

Your images don't seem to be working! Also, I had the same type of issue. Turned out to be my cable for my tv and internet. Had the cable co come out and ground my cable,
hum gone.

You know I did think this was the issue, but I completely removed the DirecTV box from my room! (I don't watch TV so I told my parent's to cancel it).

There is still a [coaxial?] wire running through my wall, though it is not connected to anything and I have since removed the DirecTv connected home adapter/ethernet so there is literally nothing but a coax wire dead by itself laying on the ground. It is running through the wall along with my desktop's Ethernet cable - perhaps this is the issue? Though I have the ground loop problem even when my ethernet cable is unplugged.

* I have also tried moving my entire desktop to other rooms and using different outlets in those rooms, so I am hesitant to say it is my TV/ethernet cables interfering.

If you keep your phone on the desk near the speakers, move it away.

Tried, even turned off my phone and put it in another room :/

 

[bug]

Analog outputs more often than not pick up interference from inside the PC case. That's why I said you should be using a digital out. Not sure how that will fit into your setup though.

 

[Jetster]

Adapters suck. Buy a USB interface that way its digital all the way to the DAC. Just get one off Amazon and if it doesn't fix the problems send it back.

 

[kennytroy]

Have you tried other speakers to rule out the HS7's....
Issue sounds like an amp grounding issue.

Tried to connect my KRK Rokit 5's and that is a no-go. They must be blown or entirely broken because there is the loudest low frequency hum you could possibly imagine (not the same type of 120hz static-buzzing from my HS7's) - this issue occurs when I merely plug in the 1/4" cables to the speakers, even without plugging the 3.5mm aux into my computer. These speakers seem useless to me unfortunately

 

[Jetster]

Does it do it with just the cable and no adapter

Get a DAC

https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UMC22-BEHRINGER-U-PHORIA/dp/B00FFIGZF6

 

[kennytroy]

Adapters suck. Buy a USB interface that way its digital all the way to the DAC. Just get one off Amazon and if it doesn't fix the problems send it back.

If I purchase a USB interface, such as this one, I would need to purchase two 1/4" to 1/4" cables to run each from the L/R speaker to the L/R balanced input correct?

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Wall Outlet -> Power strip with three connections:

Have you tried not using that?

 

[Jetster]

If I purchase a USB interface, such as this one, I would need to purchase two 1/4" to 1/4" cables to run each from the L/R speaker to the L/R balanced input correct?

View attachment 102345

Correct, its what i have
Scarlett 2i2

 

[kennytroy]

For the KRK Rokit 5's, as soon as I plug the L/R cable into both speakers the loud hum will begin, regardless of whether I plug the 3.5mm aux into my computer. If I do not plug in the dual 1/4" cables then there is no hum.

My KRK Rokits are undoubtedly broken which prompted me to buy new Yamaha HS7'S - I have not used the KRK's in over two years.

Have you tried not using that?

Sadly yes. I have tried plugging the speakers directly into a wall outlet without the power strip, I have tried using three different power strips, I have tried using five different outlets in various rooms in my house.

It seems to be a problem with my actual desktop build

 

[Jetster]

I think its your adapter and cable. But I could be wrong. Only way to find out of pull that sound card and get a proper interface

Allot of adapters are made in China and are complete crap. Its a big market

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Edit: What case do you have? Did you have another computer before this build and did it have the problem?
Have you tested your house's wiring? Just start with one of these that you can get for $5:

 

[kennytroy]

Edit: What case do you have? Did you have another computer before this build and did it have the problem?
Have you tested your house's wiring? Just start with one of these that you can get for $5:

I do not know the case, but here is a picture of my exterior and interior wiring. I did not have another desktop build, this is my first solo build. Previous to this I used a Toshiba laptop, no issues (still no issues, I just plugged it into the speakers on the same setup as it runs to my desktop).

I have not tested my house's wiring. I will check into the thing you linked me, as well as the USB interface, I'm just very hesitant to continue buying things that seem to leave me in the same shitty position as before.

I think its your adapter and cable. But I could be wrong. Only way to find out of pull that sound card and get a proper interface

Allot of adapters are made in China and are complete crap. Its a big market

When you say adapter which part are you referring to? I have tried two different 1/4" cables to 3.5mm cables and neither worked.

I do think it is a problem with my computer build unfortunately.

Jeez these USB interfaces run easily $100+, and I just purchased an internal soundcard for $70 yesterday (which I'm about to return since it did not solve my issue, but Micro Center is 45 minutes away so that's a pain in the ass..)

 

[Jetster]

Yeah I know. Sound is a pain in general. It gets expensive. But adapters is not the way to do things. I've learned that more times then I care to mention

 

[kennytroy]

Thank you all for your help.

From the information I've gathered the cause seems to be my unbalanced dual 1/4" to 3.5mm aux cable.

Solution: Return my internal soundcard that I just purchased. Buy a USB interface, and buy two individual XLR cables to run from the L/R speaker independently into the two balanced L/R XLR ports on the USB adapter.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

When you built this, did you have problems getting the I/O panel to line up with the motherboard?

 

[kennytroy]

When you built this, did you have problems getting the I/O panel to line up with the motherboard?

Not really at all to my knowledge, I can move it to another slot with ease. The one problem I do have is that I lost one of the super tiny screws that holds it perfectly level in place on the far side of the card, though it is managing well enough without.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

The one problem I do have is that I lost one of the super tiny screws

Inside the case?

Not really at all to my knowledge, I can move it to another slot with ease.

No, not the audio card. The plate that you installed on the back of the case before you put the motherboard in.

 

[xorbe]

I wound up using optical out to external dac to solve hum. Nothing else I tried worked. The DAC output is unbalanced running to balanced inputs, no problem except perhaps lower volume level. Optical in DAC w/balanced outputs are stupid expensive.