"Ethan Winer" ethanw at ethanwiner dot com writes:

Larry,

The volume is low so receiver volume needs to be turned up pretty high,
unfortunately - even with computer volume turned to max.

Keep looking for other software volume controls. Most sound cards can put
out a decent "consumer line level" signal, to adequately drive a typical
receiver.

I can get rid of hum by unplugging laptop from AC and using it's internal
battery.

That means you have a simple ground loop. The solution is simple too, but
not cheap. You need an audio isolation transformer. Two, actually, with one
each for the left and right channels.

You are right on this.

The least expensive audio transformer
I know of is the Ebtech Hum Eliminator (about $60 for a stereo pair).

The least expensive transformer that work quite ecceptably is this:
http://www.biltema.fi/osteri/osteri....1&ryhm aid=30
The price of it is 9.25 Euros

Good transformers cost more like $100 per channel. I have a Jensen transformer on
the subwoofer in my home theater to solve this same problem, and it cost me
$115.

You are right on this.

--
Tomi Engdahl (http://www.iki.fi/then/)
Take a look at my electronics web links and documents at
http://www.epanorama.net/