The Ground Controls have proven very effective with speakers that contain built in amplifiers and/or DAC
technology. If there is an unused digital connection, please try that.
An
audio product that contains any type of class D “switch mode” technology typically r
esponds well to Ground
Controls.
Analogue systems can also benefit from noise reduction. The large gain of phono preamplifiers can make these
products sensitive to high frequency noise. Try using a Ground Control on a phono preamplifier. Connecting a
Ground Control just to a preamplifier can also work well.
CAD also supplies "short jumper" cables (4mm banana to 4mm banana cables) that are intended to connect
one GC1 to another GC1. This will “daisy chain” two GC1s together and increase the effect.
You can try
connecting two Ground Controls to the same component and then also try connecting the two GC1s together.
Connecting Ground Controls to Mains Earth
A Ground Control can also be used to reduce high frequency noise coming into your audio system through the
Mains Power Earth connection. For best results, we typically use the larger GC3 Ground Control for Mains
Earth connections.
When we say
Mains Earth
we are talking about the third pin on your power plug. Most homes in North
America and the EU have this but not all countries or homes do. Typically, all water taps and copper pipes in
your home are attached to Mains Earth. For safety reasons it is a legal requirement for Mains Earth to be
connected to the exterior metal case of any audio components.
Mains Earth is typically not directly connected to Signal Ground in audio components, but in some cases, it may
be. When implementing Ground Controls, we rarely attach Mains Earth from mains power
and
Signal Ground
in audio components to a single Ground Control. CAD feels sound quality is typically better if you keep Mains
Earth from your power supply separate from Signal Ground in your audio components. Components where we
have found this not to be the case are audio products where Signal Ground is directly connected to Mains Earth
such as some audio servers and integrated music players.
The best option for connecting a Ground Control to Mains Earth is to obtain a mains power distribution block
with an independent Earth connection and to connect the Ground Control(s) to this.
Any audio component with an outside case made from metal is required by law to have this case wired directly
to Mains Earth for safety. If you have a GC3 Ground Control attached to your Mains Earth, you may find
attaching the cases of your audio equipment to the GC3 Ground Control brings an improvement in sound
quality. To do this order Ground Control cables with spade connectors. Then loosen a single screw on the case
and insert the spade connector.
If you have any questions about how to best use your Ground Control, please do not hesitate to contact your
dealer or CAD at: [email protected] or telephone CAD at: +44 (0) 203 397 0334
We hope you enjoy your new CAD Ground Control!
Best Regards,
Scott Berry
Owner, Computer Audio Design Limited
