Audiophiles help me! Eliminating noise from long cable run from computer to stereo

basss · #1 01-04-2009, 03:52 PM

I'm picking up a lot of buzz from a 30' cable thats running from my computer to my reciever. I know the noise isn't being generated from any of the components because I've used them together before. I recently moved everything to a different room and needed this long cable to connect everything. I'm using a cheapo Radio Shack cable. Would a better cable do the trick? Any recommendations on where to buy a goo d cable that isn't crazy expensive (miniplug to RCA - at least 30')?

Chunk-O-Funk · #2 01-04-2009, 04:27 PM

Here is a great place to buy audio/video/computer cables of decent quality at a fraction of the price of retailers.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/de...t.asp?c_id=102

As far as your problem goes you may want to try plugging either your receiver or your computer in different AC outlets to see if the problem goes away.

MD · #3 01-06-2009, 09:51 AM

Have you solved the problem yet?

basss · #4 01-06-2009, 10:03 AM

I ordered a shielded cable from avcables.com. It was a bit more than I wanted to spend but hopefully it will do the trick. I needed 30' of shielded cable with RCA to miniplug connectors - this was one of only a coulple places I found that sells them.

hover · #5 01-06-2009, 10:03 AM

have you tried those clip-on ferrous beads that are make for that type of rf interference?

Pilgrim · #6 01-06-2009, 10:13 AM

What you need is a good quality, shielded cable, and it sounds like you have one coming. If I were doing this I'd probably buy 3-conductor cable used for XLR connections and fit my own connectors....but that can be difficult because of the large diameter of the cable, which usually has a rubberized exterior layer.

The shielding is of somewhat limited value with a cable using 2-conductor plug such as a phono (RCA) or mini connector. It's of most value with an XLR (3-pin) connector, because in those cables the third pin is connected to the shield, and that pin and shield goes to ground on both ends. That's not possible with a 2-conductor cable.

However, a well-built, shielded cable should help in any case. Make sure NOT to run it parallel (side by side) with any AC cords - that's an easy way to get RF interference. You should do your best to avoid AC sources of any kind with that cable run, and if you have to go past AC cords, cross them at 90 degrees to minimize potential for RF interference.

Deacon_Blues · #7 01-06-2009, 10:54 AM

Any possibility to use coaxial or optical cables? I have a coax out as standard or my stationary computer, and before I got my external soundcard and separate monitors, I used that output to connect the computer to my home stereo system. That cable was (is) 10 meter long and worked great. No signal loss on the way.