Buzzing sound from U46mk2 when power pluggedin

[daveb2007]

I get a very loud buzzing noise when I plug in my mixvibes U46mk2 soundcard with the power plugged in. The buzzing stops if I:
- switch to battery
- unplug the external soundcard USB

I get no buzzing in my headphones: bear in mind I plug my headphones straight into the normal RCA output at the back of the sound card using an adaptor.

I have tried plugging my headphones into a different output, as well as plugging the master out into a different output,but this makes no difference- still buzzing over the mains, and no buzzing in the headphones.

I can only conclude that something relating to the ac power supply is interfering with the grounding of the sound card.

Please can someone recommend something.

Should I:
- buy a separate 5volt adaptor for the sound card?
- buy a new ac adaptor for my laptop?

Thanks!

[phadedvision]

Hi dave,

A ground loop isolator should do the trick, you can pick one up at your local electronics shop.

Hope this helps,
Phaded

[Jim B]

As phadedvision post

Something like this Dave

[Stealthii]

daveb2007, do you use a Mac? If so, there is a problem with the default adapter included (the ground pin isn't connected to the ground terminal in the transformer)

A workaround is to use the cable extender that comes with your Mac (it has the ground terminal connected) or getting a 3rd party adapter.

You can determine if you have this problem on an Aluminium Mac if you feel static from the casing when it is plugged in.

Note that it would be better you fix the ground problem on your laptop than get a ground loop isolator, especially if you ground your turntables to the sound card (which in turn is supposed to ground to your laptop).

Should I:
- buy a separate 5volt adaptor for the sound card?
- buy a new ac adaptor for my laptop?

A separate 5 volt adapter for the sound card would also fix this problem. This is, of course, if it is the sound card that isn't grounding.

[abitmessie]

Best thing i can suggest is getting an after market laptop power supply
fixed my buzzing noise when the laptop was charging.

alot of laptop power supply's are not grounded correctly
so try find one with out a ground pin on the plug
Belkin and Targas supply these