expected sound downgrade but....

famas

famas

famas

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Hi all.

I've recently got my new Ryzen ITX build up and running coming from an FX8320 ATX board with a Sound blaster Z sound card.

I knew there was going to be a downgrade in sound quality and with the new board being ITX there is no PCI slot for the sound blaster z to go in. New board is a ASrock ab350 Fatality ITX

To be honest I'm ok with how the new system sounds but there is a constant high pitched hum that emits from the speakers when I turn them on.

Speakers are Logitech Z5500, not on the same level as studio speakers but they where held in pretty high regard when I bought them.

I can't really notice it when there is music playing and I use headphone for gaming but if I'm working at the pc in the quiet I have to turn the speakers off as the high pitched hum drives me mad.

Does any one know if there is any thing I can do to stop it happening? Guessing its just the lower quality on board sound chip?

Also guessing there is no way to utilise my old sound blaster Z? Been looking into external sound cards also but not sure they are any good.

Open to all suggestions.
 
does it hum 24/7 or does it only hum when you game?

it could be interference from the graphic card coil whine (i get it too) but using USB can fix this.
 
It hums all the time the speakers are on. Obviously It's not as pronounced when music is playing etc but if the music stops or there is a gap between songs its very noticeable.

Could be coil whine from the GPU but I cant hear any thing coming from it?

Also remembered the Z5500 has an optical connection as does my motherboard. I currently have it wired in with the 3 coloured 3.5mm jacks.
Would an optical connection be better?

cheers.
 
famas said:
It hums all the time the speakers are on. Obviously It's not as pronounced when music is playing etc but if the music stops or there is a gap between songs its very noticeable.

Could be coil whine from the GPU but I cant hear any thing coming from it?

Also remembered the Z5500 has an optical connection as does my motherboard. I currently have it wired in with the 3 coloured 3.5mm jacks.
Would an optical connection be better?

cheers.
Click to expand...
if the interference is from the PC using optical could bypass it .

i get the same issue its my GPU when FPS is high its passes into the soundcard & comes out the speakers. Using OPtical DAC fixes this
 
Cheers for your help. Think I'll try an optical lead first.

The hum is there all the time whether the pc is idle or under load so not sure if it's the GPU.

Guessing it's just interference from the compact design of the motherboard.
 
famas said:
The hum is there all the time whether the pc is idle or under load so not sure if it's the GPU.
Click to expand...
Indeed component load/power consumption would usually affect to amount of interference.
Though if it's some kind intermodulation from some clock signals/data signaling then its intensity could stay same.


smogsy said:
it could be interference from the graphic card coil whine (i get it too) but using USB can fix this.
Click to expand...
Unless properly done moving sound card from end of PCIe to end of USB isn't any more safe from interference.
Optical or wireless connection without galvanic (electric) connection is only sure way.
Also avoiding any risk of ground loops.
Which we can exclude in this case because of noise having high frequency.
 
EsaT said:
Indeed component load/power consumption would usually affect to amount of interference.
Though if it's some kind intermodulation from some clock signals/data signaling then its intensity could stay same.


Unless properly done moving sound card from end of PCIe to end of USB isn't any more safe from interference.
Optical or wireless connection without galvanic (electric) connection is only sure way.
Also avoiding any risk of ground loops.
Which we can exclude in this case because of noise having high frequency.
Click to expand...
using USB works fine for me gets rid of whine right away. Further away from the card & on a different PCB pane helps.
 
You don't have source level adjustment switched on? It will increase volume levels on quite/low sound that would increase background noise.
 
How long is the audio cable?

Reason I ask is I had the same problem. I was so miffed as I had tried 3 soundcards plus onboard audio and couldn't get rid of this darn hum. Then I thought maybe it was the cable, so I changed out my 10m cable for a 1m cable and boom! Perfect sound!
 
UPDATE

Managed to get hold of a quality optical cable (a customer who's an audiophile let me have it for free) and it's solved the humming issue for me.

thanks for all the help and suggestions chaps :)
 
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