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First post on PC although I have been active on the Planar forum for years. I recently purchased a Loki DAC and began using my main computer (Toshiba Laptop) as a music server. I recently bought my wife a new computer and took her old Dell (Inspiron 14R) to use as a music server - runs Ubuntu 14.04 with MediaCenter20. In any case I noted a noise on the system and when I investigated the source, I found that it only occurred when I connected the computer via a Schiit Loki DAC to the system. The noise is present regardless of the input selection on the preamp. I tried my Toshiba and the noise is absent. The noise sounds like soft static or even tube rush with 1-2 hz pulsations. It varies with the volume control. Is there any solution other than getting a different computer? BTW the Dell can only run plugged in since for some reason the battery does not charge (new battery, new power adapter) which is why I got my wife a new computer. I already tried the standard tricks for "battery connected not charging".
Follow Ups:
Neo,
First plug everything into the same outlet. I know this is not optimal but since the Loki is buss powered then the GND for that is the Dell. Depending on design I have had the same problem.
If it is a 2 pin plug on the Dell you may want to try flopping the polarity of the plug and see if that helps. If it is a 3 prong then try floating the earth connection.
Some people with Dell's have had to use optical isolators USB cables on the USB to get the best results.
Thanks,
Gordon
J. Gordon Rankin
The link below helped with noise issues on my old Dell Studio 1555 running (yikes) Vista with JRiver MC 20 into a HRT Microstreamer. I ran across it while searching the PC Audio forum at Audiogon. Good luck.
Thanks for the response. I read through the article and found it very interesting that all those mods to the OS were needed to optimize Windows. Fortunately I run Ubuntu exclusively on the server. I do have Window 7 on my main computer running in a virtual box so I can use Quicken easily (it doesn't run so smoothly on Ubuntu with Wine) but otherwise I have no use for Windows or MS.
I think, though, that one or two of the points in that article were about changes to the PC's boot record prior to what ever user interface comes up, i.e, Ubuntu or Windows.
I use a Dell laptop as well, originally was an Inspiron. I had a problem with the power supply that produced a sound much like a ground loop. It didn't change with volume.
It turned out to be the power supply for the Dell - these are all a switch mode type and some of them make a lot of electrical and audible noise.
I tried a different power supply of the same type and the problem went away.
That was easy for me, we use Dell's at work and there's a lot of power supplies lying around. If you are able to, try another power supply.
Sorry for the delay in responding. I did find another PS for the Dell and that fixed the problem :). Thanks to all for the suggestions.
Try plugging the computer and the DAC into the same AC outlet.
The Loki powers off the USB of the computer. It's not a true DAC in that it just handles DSD. I use MediaCenter20 to handle the conversion of flac files to DSD.
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