2. pc-audio
  3. 1256077653

EMI w/ computer, peri-HD and DAC so close 2 amps

Hello,

A "just wondering" inquiry:

Has anyone experienced EMI and/or RFI interference with their audio equipment/system after installing a computer (in my case MacMini) w/ peripheral HD, and of course DAC?

Things sound good to me now, but I find myself wondering.

And if so, what were its effects? And how did you treat/remedy the problem without resort to pricey S-stones?

Thanks in advance &

:) listening,

Ed
istanbulu

Showing 1 response by audioengr

audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Its usually not EMI, its ground-loop common-mode noise. The thing to do if you are using USB is to power the computer and the USB interface (USB converter or DAC) from the same AC outlet. If you also have a CD transport connected, the power for this can also add noise. Power it from the same outlet as the DAC.

Another thing that works great is to use an isolation transformer like the Final Drive in the analog path from DAC to preamp or amps.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
More to discover