[John Doe[_2_]]

INFORMATION:

The JBL LSR305s make great PC speakers, zero noise, except when
playing a flight simulator (X-Plane).

Tried two different video cards, PNY GTX980 and MSI GTX960.
Tried built-in audio and Creative Rx soundcard
Tried a different speaker cable.

The noise corresponds to what is displayed on the screen. It
changes when a menu choice is selected. Sounds like an oscillator.

Neither of my monitors have an HDMI audio output jack.

QUESTIONS:

Should I try an HDMI pass-through with audio extractor?

The soundcard has SPDIF output. But I am having trouble finding an
inexpensive SPDIF input preamp for the powered speakers.

Thanks.

[John Doe[_2_]]

Maybe something like this...

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...ords=AV-086-BK

....for the SPDIF receiver from the soundcard?




Maybe that provides a way to move the speakers away from the PC,
like Bluetooth but without lag?

[Mike Rivers[_2_]]

On 3/19/2018 4:52 PM, John Doe wrote:

The JBL LSR305s make great PC speakers, zero noise, except when
playing a flight simulator (X-Plane).
The noise corresponds to what is displayed on the screen. It
changes when a menu choice is selected. Sounds like an oscillator.

Often that kind of noise comes in on the ground connection. How do you
have the speakers connected to your computer? Are you using the
computer's built-in sound card? An outboard (USB or something) audio
interface? Or are you taking an audio output from the video monitor that
picks audio off the HDMI video from the computer?

If your speakers are connected to an HDMI monitor, try a different audio
path, even the built-in sound card will give you more options. Best
would be an audio interface with a balanced line level output - this
would give you some opportunities for experimenting with disconnecting
grounds.

A cheap possible solution is a "ground isolator" that breaks the
physical connection between the computer ground and the speaker. I
tested one of these many years ago when I wrote an article on hum fixing
gadgets (I think it's on my web site), and this one had remarkably good
performance considering the price.

https://www.amazon.com/RadioShack-Sy.../dp/B002YGM5D8





--

For a good time, call http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com

[John Doe[_2_]]

Okay, I will try the HDMI audio extractor. Thanks.

[John Doe[_2_]]

FWIW... Before upgrading my main monitor last week, I tried the
built-in speakers and did not notice the noise. But difficult to
hear anything on those built-in monitor speakers.

The HDMI audio extractor (Tripp Lite P130-000-AUD4K6) should tell
that one. If there is still noise, through the 3.5 mm stereo output
jack, I will assume the SPDIF on the extractor link would not work
either, that the noise is introduced before that point.

I will lose the SoundBlaster equalizer software, using HDMI audio,
but I suppose there is a replacement.






I wrote:

INFORMATION:

The JBL LSR305s make great PC speakers, zero noise, except when
playing a flight simulator (X-Plane).

Tried two different video cards, PNY GTX980 and MSI GTX960.
Tried built-in audio and Creative Rx soundcard
Tried a different speaker cable.

The noise corresponds to what is displayed on the screen. It
changes when a menu choice is selected. Sounds like an oscillator.

Neither of my monitors have an HDMI audio output jack.

QUESTIONS:

Should I try an HDMI pass-through with audio extractor?

The soundcard has SPDIF output. But I am having trouble finding an
inexpensive SPDIF input preamp for the powered speakers.

Thanks.

[Phil W]

"John Doe" :

FWIW... Before upgrading my main monitor last week, I tried the
built-in speakers and did not notice the noise. But difficult to
hear anything on those built-in monitor speakers.

The HDMI audio extractor (Tripp Lite P130-000-AUD4K6) should tell
that one. If there is still noise, through the 3.5 mm stereo output
jack, I will assume the SPDIF on the extractor link would not work
either, that the noise is introduced before that point.

Good luck, that it helps.

I will lose the SoundBlaster equalizer software, using HDMI audio,
but I suppose there is a replacement.

IF you´re using Windows, you might want to check out:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/
in conjunction with
https://sourceforge.net/projects/pea...apo-extension/

as a "system-wide" EQ - can be activated and DEactivated easily.


Phil

[John Doe[_2_]]

"Phil W" wrote:

"John Doe" :

I will lose the SoundBlaster equalizer software, using HDMI
audio, but I suppose there is a replacement.

IF you´re using Windows, you might want to check out:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/
in conjunction with
https://sourceforge.net/projects/pea...apo-extension/

as a "system-wide" EQ - can be activated and DEactivated easily.

Thanks. This is preliminary, but... I especially needed the "Pre
Amplifying" function. Was not getting enough volume out of my
system.

[John Doe[_2_]]

John Doe wrote:

"Phil W" wrote:
"John Doe" wrote:

I will lose the SoundBlaster equalizer software, using HDMI
audio, but I suppose there is a replacement.

IF you´re using Windows, you might want to check out:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/
in conjunction with
https://sourceforge.net/projects/pea...apo-extension/

as a "system-wide" EQ - can be activated and DEactivated easily.

Thanks. This is preliminary, but... I especially needed the "Pre
Amplifying" function. Was not getting enough volume out of my
system.

Been using it ever since.

[Peter Larsen[_3_]]

On 21-03-2018 00:59, John Doe wrote:

fixed microserf email topposting, this is usenet...

I wrote:

INFORMATION:

The JBL LSR305s make great PC speakers, zero noise, except when
playing a flight simulator (X-Plane).

Tried two different video cards, PNY GTX980 and MSI GTX960.
Tried built-in audio and Creative Rx soundcard
Tried a different speaker cable.

The noise corresponds to what is displayed on the screen. It
changes when a menu choice is selected. Sounds like an oscillator.

You may need one or both of: a bigger psu in the pc and a set of inline
insulation transformers that keep pc's ground and audio playback systems
grounds separate.


Neither of my monitors have an HDMI audio output jack.

QUESTIONS:

Should I try an HDMI pass-through with audio extractor?

No, I don't think it is gonna save your day, I think, but I do not know
this, that the supply voltage(s) in the pc are modulated because of the
videocards current requirements.

Kind regards

Peter larsen

[John Doe[_2_]]

Don't take this personally, but...

Have you ever measured how much power your system uses?

Many years ago I bought a $20 wattage meter to find out. Surprise!
Nowadays I always have one connected to my PC. A good use for it
after measuring appliances around the house.

My systems have been in the 100-300 W range, including everything in
the box (minus the monitor). That includes inefficiency/overhead of
the power supply itself.

My current system...
ATX motherboard
Intel i7-6700k
GeForce GTX980

Idle power is usually about 65 W. While in my flight simulator
(X-Plane 11), power is always less than 300 W.

The big power supply thing sounds like a penis size contest. It is
the kind of thing you would sell to non-scientists who need "RGB"
display in and on all their computer stuff. Heaven forbid we have
a trade war with China and can't get RGB headphones.

[Peter Larsen[_3_]]

On 21-03-2018 11:31, John Doe wrote:

Don't take this personally, but...

Have you ever measured how much power your system uses?

Yes. When I edit video on a double xeon box I double the household power
use.

Many years ago I bought a $20 wattage meter to find out. Surprise!
Nowadays I always have one connected to my PC. A good use for it
after measuring appliances around the house.

My systems have been in the 100-300 W range, including everything in
the box (minus the monitor). That includes inefficiency/overhead of
the power supply itself.

My current system...
ATX motherboard
Intel i7-6700k
GeForce GTX980

Idle power is usually about 65 W. While in my flight simulator
(X-Plane 11), power is always less than 300 W.

The big power supply thing sounds like a penis size contest. It is
the kind of thing you would sell to non-scientists who need "RGB"
display in and on all their computer stuff. Heaven forbid we have
a trade war with China and can't get RGB headphones.

Remember the context, the OP is experiencing interference.

If you still have the box to that video card then check the suggested pc
power supply dimensioning. My videocards generally request 600 watts psu
in the pc or greater. And it is about voltage sag and -when it comes to
interference negation - psu output impedance on a single rail worst
case, not about what it can deliver on all rails combined.

My first thought was that his psu is marginal for the tasks since it is
when the graphics card is busy he has the issue. This here box has video
interference when there is too much disk activity, much the same issue.

Kind regards

Peter Larsen

[John Doe[_2_]]

Peter Larsen wrote:

You may need one or both of: a bigger psu in the pc and a
set of inline insulation transformers that keep pc's ground
and audio playback systems grounds separate.

Of course trying a bigger power supply is easy. Or maybe an
external soundcard, assuming the noise does not come through
the USB.

No, I don't think [an HDMI pass-through with audio
extractor] is gonna save your day,

It did not. The same noise is present with the HDMI audio
extractor.

I think, but I do not know this, that the supply voltage(s)
in the pc are modulated because of the videocards current
requirements.

I need to look around and see whether this is a common
problem. It should be, considering my circumstance.

Maybe most people don't notice because they use cheap
speakers. Seems strange. Otherwise, a bigger power supply
should fix it. Gamers love big power supplies. I can use a
spare power supply anyway.

Thanks.

[Mike Rivers[_2_]]

On 3/24/2018 12:09 PM, John Doe wrote:
No, I don't think [an HDMI pass-through with audio
extractor] is gonna save your day,
It did not. The same noise is present with the HDMI audio
extractor.

I didn't think so, because you still have a direct ground connection
between your computer and your speakers. Try the ground isolator that
recommended.

But . . . are you sure that the noise you're not hearing isn't a
constant background sound that's created by the flight simulator
program? Does it go away when you close the program? I don't remember if
you've mentioned this.




--

For a good time, call http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com

[John Doe[_2_]]

Mike Rivers wrote:

John Doe wrote:

No, I don't think [an HDMI pass-through with audio
extractor] is gonna save your day,

It did not. The same noise is present with the HDMI audio
extractor.

I didn't think so, because you still have a direct ground
connection between your computer and your speakers. Try the
ground isolator that recommended.

But . . . are you sure that the noise you're not hearing
isn't a constant background sound that's created by the
flight simulator program? Does it go away when you close
the program? I don't remember if you've mentioned this.

Difficult to remember something you haven't read. Seems you
ignored everything in my original post, in your first reply.

I could understand if you were replying to the subject line,
sometimes I do that. But even the subject line answers your
current question.

[Scott Dorsey]

John Doe wrote:

The HDMI audio extractor (Tripp Lite P130-000-AUD4K6) should tell
that one. If there is still noise, through the 3.5 mm stereo output
jack, I will assume the SPDIF on the extractor link would not work
either, that the noise is introduced before that point.

This is likely a D/A converter in a box and as such may affect your
sound. However, it might be better than whatever D/A you're using
currently.

I will lose the SoundBlaster equalizer software, using HDMI audio,
but I suppose there is a replacement.

God, I hope so. Get all that awful crap out of your signal path, and
keep it as far away as possible.

If I were you, I'd just look into fixing the ground loop. Are you running
an XLR cable out of your soundcard into the powered speaker, or are you
trying to pull out of an unbalanced output? If it is the unbalanced output,
try lifting pin 1 on the XLR side and adding 0.1uF ceramic caps between
pin 1 and 3 and pin 2 and 3 on the XLR connector. This lifts the ground at
the speaker side and filters some RF off... it's not as nice as a real
transformer but it's often a workable solution if you can't get a proper
balanced output.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[John Doe[_2_]]

(Scott Dorsey) wrote:

John Doe wrote:

The HDMI audio extractor (Tripp Lite P130-000-AUD4K6) should tell
that one. If there is still noise, through the 3.5 mm stereo
output jack, I will assume the SPDIF on the extractor link would
not work either, that the noise is introduced before that point.

This is likely a D/A converter in a box and as such may affect
your sound. However, it might be better than whatever D/A you're
using currently.

If I were you, I'd just look into fixing the ground loop. Are you
running an XLR cable out of your soundcard into the powered
speaker,

There is an electrical difference between TRS cables and XLR cables,
going to the speakers from the same soundcard stereo output jack?









--

or are you trying to pull out of an unbalanced output?
If it is the unbalanced output, try lifting pin 1 on the XLR side
and adding 0.1uF ceramic caps between pin 1 and 3 and pin 2 and 3
on the XLR connector. This lifts the ground at the speaker side
and filters some RF off... it's not as nice as a real transformer
but it's often a workable solution if you can't get a proper
balanced output.

[John Doe[_2_]]

I meant "TS cables", just distinguishing between the connector types.

[Mike Rivers[_2_]]

On 3/25/2018 3:47 PM, John Doe wrote:
There is an electrical difference between TRS [you mean TS] cables and XLR cables,
going to the speakers from the same soundcard stereo output jack?

Yes. TS cables have one conductor and a shield, TRS and XLR (and
TRS-to-XLR) cables have two conductors and a shield. There's a detailed
article on my web page about the differences and why they matter:

https://mikeriversaudio.files.wordpr..._revised. pdf

The short version is that TRS and XLR cables are used when making
"balanced" connections. TS (or RCA, for that matter) cables are used
when making "unbalanced" connections. The difference is that for a
balanced connection, the cable shield, which is conventionally connected
to the chassis ground, doesn't carry the signal voltage, and in an
unbalanced connection, it does. If there's noise present on the ground
of one or both of the devices that you're connecting, the noise gets
added to the signal when you have an unbalanced connection. With a
balanced connection, _unless there's a wiring problem in the equipment_,
noise that's on the cable shield doesn't go anywhere important.

And before you ask, in order to make a balanced connection, the devices
on both ends of the cable must have connectors that carry two signal
wires and the shield. You can't make an unbalanced output balanced just
by sticking a TRS plug in a TS jack.

--

For a good time, call http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com

[John Doe[_2_]]

Mike Rivers wrote:

John Doe wrote:

There is an electrical difference between TRS [you mean TS]
cables and XLR cables, going to the speakers from the same
soundcard stereo output jack?

Yes. TS cables have one conductor and a shield, TRS and XLR (and
TRS-to-XLR) cables have two conductors and a shield. There's a
detailed article on my web page about the differences and why they
matter:

https://mikeriversaudio.files.wordpr...he_ins_and_out
s_of_gozintas_and_gozoutas_revised.pdf

The short version is that TRS and XLR cables are used when making
"balanced" connections. TS (or RCA, for that matter) cables are
used when making "unbalanced" connections. The difference is that
for a balanced connection, the cable shield, which is
conventionally connected to the chassis ground, doesn't carry the
signal voltage, and in an unbalanced connection, it does. If
there's noise present on the ground of one or both of the devices
that you're connecting, the noise gets added to the signal when
you have an unbalanced connection. With a balanced connection,
_unless there's a wiring problem in the equipment_, noise that's
on the cable shield doesn't go anywhere important.

And before you ask, in order to make a balanced connection, the
devices on both ends of the cable must have connectors that carry
two signal wires and the shield. You can't make an unbalanced
output balanced just by sticking a TRS plug in a TS jack.

Are you saying that the difference between a "balanced" and an
"unbalanced" connection can be made simply by the cable used?

In other words... An ordinary stereo output from a PC soundcard can
be balanced by simply using XLR cables?

I like balanced.

A new power supply arrives today or tomorrow. Will see whether it
helps. The idea that increased power draw might cause the problem is
logical.

[Nicola B. Bernardelli]

On 03/19/2018 05:52 PM, John Doe wrote:
INFORMATION:

The JBL LSR305s make great PC speakers, zero noise, except when
playing a flight simulator (X-Plane).

Tried two different video cards, PNY GTX980 and MSI GTX960.
Tried built-in audio and Creative Rx soundcard
Tried a different speaker cable.

The noise corresponds to what is displayed on the screen. It
changes when a menu choice is selected. Sounds like an oscillator.

Neither of my monitors have an HDMI audio output jack.

QUESTIONS:

Should I try an HDMI pass-through with audio extractor?

The soundcard has SPDIF output. But I am having trouble finding an
inexpensive SPDIF input preamp for the powered speakers.

Thanks.





Could you solve the problem by now?


Just out of curiosity, I searched in Duckduckgo.com

video card dac audio interference

you might want to do the same and check out some of the resulting pages,
e.g.


http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/33...mputer-working

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/...-speakers.html

https://hardforum.com/threads/help-w...-card.1929139/

https://hardforum.com/threads/video-...rence.1789077/


Somebody mentions having solved it by removing software (Dolby stuff),
or updating drivers, somebody mentions unplugging a cable from the aux
input they were not using...

BTW you didn't mention what motherboard it is.

And... I think I've gone through each post in this thread but now,
sorry, I don't remember: could you check out the SPDIF output eventually?

[John Doe[_2_]]

"Nicola B. Bernardelli" wrote:

John Doe wrote:

INFORMATION:

The JBL LSR305s make great PC speakers, zero noise, except when
playing a flight simulator (X-Plane).

Tried two different video cards, PNY GTX980 and MSI GTX960. Tried
built-in audio and Creative Rx soundcard Tried a different
speaker cable.

The noise corresponds to what is displayed on the screen. It
changes when a menu choice is selected. Sounds like an
oscillator.

Neither of my monitors have an HDMI audio output jack.

QUESTIONS:

Should I try an HDMI pass-through with audio extractor?

The soundcard has SPDIF output. But I am having trouble finding
an inexpensive SPDIF input preamp for the powered speakers.

Could you solve the problem by now?

Just out of curiosity, I searched in Duckduckgo.com

video card dac audio interference

you might want to do the same and check out some of the resulting
pages, e.g.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/33...mputer-working

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/...-speakers.html

https://hardforum.com/threads/help-w...-card.1929139/

https://hardforum.com/threads/video-...rence.1789077/

Somebody mentions having solved it by removing software (Dolby
stuff), or updating drivers, somebody mentions unplugging a cable
from the aux input they were not using...

BTW you didn't mention what motherboard it is.

And... I think I've gone through each post in this thread but now,
sorry, I don't remember: could you check out the SPDIF output
eventually?

That would require a third purchase, less useful than the first two.
I will post when it is solved. If it affected something other than
the flight simulator, I might be more gung ho for solving it. Every
other sound from my PC is noise free. Most impressive is the USB
microphone connected to a 36 foot Tripp-Lite active USB extender.
Used partly for security, partly for entertaining my indoor-only
cats. The Marantz USB microphone is output through my SoundBlaster
Audigy Rx to the JBL LSR305s. Sounds like being outside. Love it.

Thanks.

[geoff]

On 8/04/2018 9:01 PM, John Doe wrote:
"Nicola B. Bernardelli" wrote:

John Doe wrote:

INFORMATION:

The JBL LSR305s make great PC speakers, zero noise, except when
playing a flight simulator (X-Plane).

Tried two different video cards, PNY GTX980 and MSI GTX960. Tried
built-in audio and Creative Rx soundcard Tried a different
speaker cable.

The noise corresponds to what is displayed on the screen. It
changes when a menu choice is selected. Sounds like an
oscillator.

Neither of my monitors have an HDMI audio output jack.

QUESTIONS:

Should I try an HDMI pass-through with audio extractor?

The soundcard has SPDIF output. But I am having trouble finding
an inexpensive SPDIF input preamp for the powered speakers.

Could you solve the problem by now?

Just out of curiosity, I searched in Duckduckgo.com

video card dac audio interference

you might want to do the same and check out some of the resulting
pages, e.g.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/33...mputer-working

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/...-speakers.html

https://hardforum.com/threads/help-w...-card.1929139/

https://hardforum.com/threads/video-...rence.1789077/

Somebody mentions having solved it by removing software (Dolby
stuff), or updating drivers, somebody mentions unplugging a cable
from the aux input they were not using...

BTW you didn't mention what motherboard it is.

And... I think I've gone through each post in this thread but now,
sorry, I don't remember: could you check out the SPDIF output
eventually?

That would require a third purchase, less useful than the first two.
I will post when it is solved. If it affected something other than
the flight simulator, I might be more gung ho for solving it. Every
other sound from my PC is noise free. Most impressive is the USB
microphone connected to a 36 foot Tripp-Lite active USB extender.
Used partly for security, partly for entertaining my indoor-only
cats. The Marantz USB microphone is output through my SoundBlaster
Audigy Rx to the JBL LSR305s. Sounds like being outside. Love it.

Thanks.



Sorry if already clarified, but the noise isn't actually coming from the
flight simulator program by any chance, ie meant to be there even if
unpleasant to you ?

Cos if it isn't there from other source media on the computer that would
kind of eliminate everything else....

geoff

[John Doe[_2_]]

I know the difference between noise and intentionally produced
sound.

It is not obviously coming from the flight simulator. The power draw
is much greater. Unlikely the (upgraded) power supply, but possibly
the motherboard 3-D circuitry and/or mishandling the increased power
requirement.

An intermediate test might be finding some other power-hungry 3-D
software to try. Microsoft's flight simulator might do. Or maybe
some benchmark software.



geoff wrote:

On 8/04/2018 9:01 PM, John Doe wrote:
"Nicola B. Bernardelli" wrote:

John Doe wrote:

INFORMATION:

The JBL LSR305s make great PC speakers, zero noise, except when
playing a flight simulator (X-Plane).

Tried two different video cards, PNY GTX980 and MSI GTX960. Tried
built-in audio and Creative Rx soundcard Tried a different
speaker cable.

The noise corresponds to what is displayed on the screen. It
changes when a menu choice is selected. Sounds like an
oscillator.

Neither of my monitors have an HDMI audio output jack.

QUESTIONS:

Should I try an HDMI pass-through with audio extractor?

The soundcard has SPDIF output. But I am having trouble finding
an inexpensive SPDIF input preamp for the powered speakers.

Could you solve the problem by now?

Just out of curiosity, I searched in Duckduckgo.com

video card dac audio interference

you might want to do the same and check out some of the resulting
pages, e.g.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/33...mputer-working

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/...-speakers.html

https://hardforum.com/threads/help-w...-card.1929139/

https://hardforum.com/threads/video-...rence.1789077/

Somebody mentions having solved it by removing software (Dolby
stuff), or updating drivers, somebody mentions unplugging a cable
from the aux input they were not using...

BTW you didn't mention what motherboard it is.

And... I think I've gone through each post in this thread but now,
sorry, I don't remember: could you check out the SPDIF output
eventually?

That would require a third purchase, less useful than the first two.
I will post when it is solved. If it affected something other than
the flight simulator, I might be more gung ho for solving it. Every
other sound from my PC is noise free. Most impressive is the USB
microphone connected to a 36 foot Tripp-Lite active USB extender.
Used partly for security, partly for entertaining my indoor-only
cats. The Marantz USB microphone is output through my SoundBlaster
Audigy Rx to the JBL LSR305s. Sounds like being outside. Love it.

Thanks.



Sorry if already clarified, but the noise isn't actually coming from the
flight simulator program by any chance, ie meant to be there even if
unpleasant to you ?

Cos if it isn't there from other source media on the computer that would
kind of eliminate everything else....

geoff

[Nicola B. Bernardelli]

On 04/08/2018 06:01 AM, John Doe wrote:

That would require a third purchase, less useful than the first two.
I will post when it is solved. If it affected something other than
the flight simulator, I might be more gung ho for solving it. Every
other sound from my PC is noise free. Most impressive is the USB
microphone connected to a 36 foot Tripp-Lite active USB extender.
Used partly for security, partly for entertaining my indoor-only
cats. The Marantz USB microphone is output through my SoundBlaster
Audigy Rx to the JBL LSR305s. Sounds like being outside. Love it.

Thanks.


I see. You might enjoy SP/DIF a lot however, if the converter has good
characteristics on the analogue side.

I have a Focusrite audio interface, SP/DIF from the PC sounds just as
good as ASIO via USB.

(I also tried the FlightGear flight simulator through the Focusrite LOL,
sounds great... BTW I only used aircraft with a good JSBSim-based Flight
Dynamics Model, not YaSim which is merely trying to extrapolate the
plane behavior from its geometry, and BTW I was more interested in the
plane behavior than in a nicely modeled cockpits... I had tried out
X-Plane years ago but the flight simulation I experienced was not as
good as the one I found at least in a few FlightGear aircraft I came to
prefer over others I had tried.)

I'll check out your post when you solve the problem.

BTW this was another interesting reading:

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/91-aud...round-pin.html

and links this page

http://www.guitarcenter.com/VTG/Grou...yf100s3dy00279

and this one

http://www.google.com/shopping/produ...11658610?hl=en

[John Doe[_2_]]

"Nicola B. Bernardelli" wrote:

John Doe wrote:

That would require a third purchase, less useful than the first two.
I will post when it is solved. If it affected something other than
the flight simulator, I might be more gung ho for solving it. Every
other sound from my PC is noise free. Most impressive is the USB
microphone connected to a 36 foot Tripp-Lite active USB extender.
Used partly for security, partly for entertaining my indoor-only
cats. The Marantz USB microphone is output through my SoundBlaster
Audigy Rx to the JBL LSR305s. Sounds like being outside. Love it.

I see. You might enjoy SP/DIF a lot however, if the converter has good
characteristics on the analogue side.

I have a Focusrite audio interface, SP/DIF from the PC sounds just as
good as ASIO via USB.

(I also tried the FlightGear flight simulator through the Focusrite LOL,
sounds great... BTW I only used aircraft with a good JSBSim-based Flight
Dynamics Model, not YaSim which is merely trying to extrapolate the
plane behavior from its geometry, and BTW I was more interested in the
plane behavior than in a nicely modeled cockpits... I had tried out
X-Plane years ago but the flight simulation I experienced was not as
good as the one I found at least in a few FlightGear aircraft I came to
prefer over others I had tried.)

I'll check out your post when you solve the problem.

Between then and now, I replaced the motherboard (once or twice). Apparently
the current (MSI) motherboard noise penetrates all the audio hardware,
onboard and soundcard. Couldn't stand it during quiet moments, it was
irritating.

Tried the SP/DIF and the noise is gone! The speakers were just reproducing
motherboard noise. I think one of the prior motherboards was Gigabyte, so
it's not just MSI.

Had to hot melt glue thee SP/DIF optical wire connections, to eliminate
popping at the 96 kHz setting. Hot melt glue is very easily and neatly
removed with 70% isopropyl alcohol (when things are unplugged).

Sounds great now!
A speaker upgrade is in order, when I get rich.







--


BTW this was another interesting reading:

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/91-aud...70437-cutting-
xlr-ground-pin.html

and links this page

http://www.guitarcenter.com/VTG/Grou...6620.gc?CJAID=
10432687&CJPID=6155355&CJSID=jfr2bgtyf100s3dy00279

and this one

http://www.google.com/shopping/produ...11658610?hl=en

[John Doe[_2_]]

I'm posting to the original thread almost 3 years ago. Sorry if that
bothers anybody (not really sorry, but let me know).

Solved.

I tried a cheap Trip-Lite HDMI pass-through with audio extractor. Didn't
matter if it solved the noise problem, the audio was horrible.

Then I tried an optical digital-to-analog converter ($27 US), from the
optical output on the soundcard. Used some hot melt glue to secure the
optical cable connections, so no popping on the 96 kHz setting.

No more noise!

Sounds very nice.




--

I wrote:

INFORMATION:

The JBL LSR305s make great PC speakers, zero noise, except when
playing a flight simulator (X-Plane).

Tried two different video cards, PNY GTX980 and MSI GTX960.
Tried built-in audio and Creative Rx soundcard
Tried a different speaker cable.

The noise corresponds to what is displayed on the screen. It
changes when a menu choice is selected. Sounds like an oscillator.

Neither of my monitors have an HDMI audio output jack.

QUESTIONS:

Should I try an HDMI pass-through with audio extractor?

The soundcard has SPDIF output. But I am having trouble finding an
inexpensive SPDIF input preamp for the powered speakers.

Thanks.