Become a Site Supporter and Never see Ads again!

Author Topic: iMac to stereo buzz  (Read 4554 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline vwmule

  • Trade Count: (16)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 2051
iMac to stereo buzz
« on: August 30, 2011, 10:48:47 AM »
Moved my computer close to stereo and hooked the two via mini > RCA. It's great though I can hear a distinct electronic buzz when no music is playing. Can that harm my stereo or speakers? And what can I do to avoid that? I have an Apple wifi device that can stream to stereo but haven't gotten it to work and would rather have a hard connection anyway.

Offline page

  • Trade Count: (25)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 8388
  • Gender: Male
  • #TeamRetired
Re: iMac to stereo buzz
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2011, 10:51:22 AM »
Just about every computer I've had (mac or PC) did that in some form or another. It might be a ground issue, or it might just be the analog components in the imac. The easiest way to resolve it is to get a cheap DAC and use either USB or optical out.
"This is a common practice we have on the bus; debating facts that we could easily find through printed material. It's like, how far is it today? I think it's four hours, and someone else comes in at 11 hours, and well, then we'll... just... talk about it..." - Jeb Puryear

"Nostalgia ain't what it used to be." - Jim Williams

Offline ScoobieKW

  • Trade Count: (3)
  • Taperssection All-Star
  • ****
  • Posts: 1664
    • ScoobieSnax Audio Archive
Re: iMac to stereo buzz
« Reply #2 on: August 30, 2011, 10:56:44 AM »
Sounds like a grounding issue, two options.

1. Get a groundlift plug.
2. Get an external A/D interface.

I like #1 for the price, but #2 for quality. Audio output circuits in consumer computers are typically noisy. Two many power stages, and circuits crammed into a small space, that plus an emphasis on economy and good enough for most lead to compromises.

Wireless streaming to your reciever can work, but adds in a whole nother A/D and D/A step and adds compression to the data.

Busman BSC1, AT853 (O,C),KAM i2 Chuck Mod (C), Nak 300 (C),
M10, UA-5, US-1800, Presonus Firepod

http://kennedy-williams.net/scoobiesnax/

Offline vwmule

  • Trade Count: (16)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 2051
Re: iMac to stereo buzz
« Reply #3 on: August 30, 2011, 11:43:50 AM »
Can y'all recommend a DAC?

Offline dnsacks

  • Trade Count: (9)
  • Taperssection All-Star
  • ****
  • Posts: 1640
Re: iMac to stereo buzz
« Reply #4 on: August 30, 2011, 11:50:22 AM »
what brand/model receiver are you using?  Many newer units that support 5.1 playback have d>a converters built in.  I believe the IMAC can send an optical digital signal too.


Offline DigiGal

  • AES Associate Member
  • Trade Count: (30)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 2583
  • Gender: Female
  • Stay healthy and safe!
    • DigiGal Internet Archive Recordings
Re: iMac to stereo buzz
« Reply #5 on: August 30, 2011, 01:07:53 PM »
Does your stereo have optical digital inputs?  On all newer iMacs the audio output jack also doubles as an optical output as well as being analog.
Mics: AKG CK91/CK94/CK98/SE300 D-330BT | DPA 4060 4061 4266 | Neumann TLM 103 | Senn ME66/K6/K6RD MKE2 MD421 MD431 | Shure VP88 SM7B SM63L SM58 Anniversary Cables: Gotham GAC-4/1 Quad w/Neutrik EMC | Gotham GAC-2pair w/AKG MK90/3 connectors | DigiGal AES>S/PDIF cable Preamp: SD MixPre-D Recorders: SD MixPre 6 | Marantz PMD 661 Edit: 2011 27" 3.4GHz Quad i7 iMac High Sierra | 2020 13" MBA Quad i7 Catalina | Wave Editor | xACT | Transmission | FCP X 

Offline page

  • Trade Count: (25)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 8388
  • Gender: Male
  • #TeamRetired
Re: iMac to stereo buzz
« Reply #6 on: August 30, 2011, 02:04:04 PM »
Can y'all recommend a DAC?

The cheapest right off the top of my head is the nuforce udac2 at around $110 if you shop around. It has the RCA line-outs and doesn't require it's own power (USB powered). iBasso has one that's around that price as well that's a bit more portable but runs off of a usb charging battery.

I saw one lately that was around $50, but I can't remember what. You might browse ebay if you're looking on the cheap.
"This is a common practice we have on the bus; debating facts that we could easily find through printed material. It's like, how far is it today? I think it's four hours, and someone else comes in at 11 hours, and well, then we'll... just... talk about it..." - Jeb Puryear

"Nostalgia ain't what it used to be." - Jim Williams

Offline vwmule

  • Trade Count: (16)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 2051
Re: iMac to stereo buzz
« Reply #7 on: September 03, 2011, 10:37:34 AM »
Thanks for all the responses. My Yahama Natural Sound receiver is going on 10 years old but it has an optical in (for sat TV or DVD). I'll give that a shot.

Offline bryonsos

  • Omni addict
  • Trade Count: (28)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 2061
  • Gender: Male
  • If it's important, tell me to write it down.
    • LMA uploads
Re: iMac to stereo buzz
« Reply #8 on: September 03, 2011, 10:41:56 AM »
Mics: 3 Zigma Chi HA-FX (COL-251, c, h, o-d, o-f) / Avenson STO-2 / Countryman B3s
Pres: CA-Ugly / Naiant Tinyhead / SD MixPre
Decks: Roland R-44 / Sony PCM-M10
GAKables
Dead Muppets

My recordings LMA / BT / TTD

Offline page

  • Trade Count: (25)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 8388
  • Gender: Male
  • #TeamRetired
Re: iMac to stereo buzz
« Reply #9 on: September 03, 2011, 02:23:16 PM »
"This is a common practice we have on the bus; debating facts that we could easily find through printed material. It's like, how far is it today? I think it's four hours, and someone else comes in at 11 hours, and well, then we'll... just... talk about it..." - Jeb Puryear

"Nostalgia ain't what it used to be." - Jim Williams

Offline audBall

  • Trade Count: (37)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • Posts: 6467
  • Gender: Male
  • Feel brand new about it
Re: iMac to stereo buzz
« Reply #10 on: September 03, 2011, 02:52:55 PM »
I really like my Musiland 01 Monitor USB.  I got it on ebay for about $50 used.  It'll fit in your pocket, so it's great for on-the-go.  24/96 compatible and sounds pretty damn good. 

-RCA Out
-Headphone out (works best with low/med impedance headphones)
-Toslink Out

http://www.musiland.com.cn/index.php/Product/show/id/140
« Last Edit: September 03, 2011, 02:54:34 PM by audBall »
mg m20.21.23 ■ akg ck61.62.63 »  nbob■naiant »  aercomp2 ■ v2-3 ■ sx-m2d2
dpa 4061 » mma-a.6000
d100 ■ r44ocm ■ f3

Offline DigiGal

  • AES Associate Member
  • Trade Count: (30)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 2583
  • Gender: Female
  • Stay healthy and safe!
    • DigiGal Internet Archive Recordings
Re: iMac to stereo buzz
« Reply #11 on: September 03, 2011, 03:03:43 PM »
Does your stereo have optical digital inputs?  On all newer iMacs the audio output jack also doubles as an optical output as well as being analog.

Thanks for all the responses. My Yahama Natural Sound receiver is going on 10 years old but it has an optical in (for sat TV or DVD). I'll give that a shot.

Going optical directly out of the computer to the stereo should eliminate your hum problem and the need for any external DAC.  If the hum is still there then the stereo itself likely has an issue. 
« Last Edit: September 03, 2011, 03:05:57 PM by DigiGal »
Mics: AKG CK91/CK94/CK98/SE300 D-330BT | DPA 4060 4061 4266 | Neumann TLM 103 | Senn ME66/K6/K6RD MKE2 MD421 MD431 | Shure VP88 SM7B SM63L SM58 Anniversary Cables: Gotham GAC-4/1 Quad w/Neutrik EMC | Gotham GAC-2pair w/AKG MK90/3 connectors | DigiGal AES>S/PDIF cable Preamp: SD MixPre-D Recorders: SD MixPre 6 | Marantz PMD 661 Edit: 2011 27" 3.4GHz Quad i7 iMac High Sierra | 2020 13" MBA Quad i7 Catalina | Wave Editor | xACT | Transmission | FCP X 

Offline keytohwy

  • Trade Count: (7)
  • Taperssection All-Star
  • ****
  • Posts: 1003
  • Gender: Male
Re: iMac to stereo buzz
« Reply #12 on: September 03, 2011, 07:39:37 PM »
All good advice here. 

I took it a level further and got an Airport Express.  It, too, has an optical out and allows you to keep your Mac anywhere (provided you have a wireless network) in the house, and playback form there.  Then you are wireless from the Mac to the Airport, and optical into your receiver.  Works great for iTunes.  If you want to stream other music sources to it, I HIGHLY recommend AirFoil which will stream any audio source on your Mac to your Airport Express.

Airport Expresses can be found on eBay for $50-ish.

keytohwy

Offline vwmule

  • Trade Count: (16)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 2051
Re: iMac to stereo buzz
« Reply #13 on: October 03, 2011, 09:52:23 PM »
UPDATE: I got a six foot optical cable from Amazon (Belkin brand) and am now running 24 bit audio from the iMac to my stereo. No buzz whatsoever.

Thanks for everyone who helped.

 

RSS | Mobile
Page created in 0.117 seconds with 42 queries.
© 2002-2024 Taperssection.com
Powered by SMF