Strange noises when amplified through a hi-fi

Hi there,

First of all let me apologise, I feel bad that i am never actually able to answer any questions and its always me asking them. I do try, I'm not a freeloader.

Here's my question anyway,

when i plug my X60 into my stereo and blast it up, in between songs i get lots of weird strange crackling which seems in a way to be linked to hard drive noise. I have tried messing with all the different levels but nothing seems to solve the problem. Is it a problem that is unique to the x60 or has anyone else experienced this.

many thanks

jamie

 

Is it possible that you have the audio controls set up such that microphone is mixed into the audio out signal? This mike probably picks up some low level HDD noise as a vibration. Check the record and playback mixers.

Alternatively, I wonder if the amp is picking up noise from the connectors (which is why gold-plated connectors are preferable). What happens if you rotate the audio cable plugs in the sockets when you can hear this noise?

Also, does the amplifier have any automatic gain control and is boosting the quiet signal so you are hearing the residual amplifier noise?

John

PS: Also check if you get the same problem when the X60 is running off battery. You might have got an earth loop, although these normally cause a mains frequency hum.

 

that solves it, running it off battery produces no strange noises. Is there anyway to stop this as mentioned before, my battery only lasts for about 20 mins nowadays.

thanks for the tips though.

Jamie

 

You probably need to break the earth connection for either the computer or the stereo. Making sure that the computer and the stereo don't share the same power socket may be enough. See this thread for what seems to be the same cause, but a different effect.

John