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Tips: Audio Grounding
Systems incorporating single-ended interconnect cables (“RCA cables”) are prone to a problem
known as “ground looping”, which can result in extraneous hums and buzzes audible through the
loudspeaker. If this occurs in your system, you have to attempt to minimize the ground loop.
To minimize the buzz using the normal RCA input jack, there are several steps you can take:
1)
Use the shortest interconnects possible.
2)
Use interconnects with good shielding properties.
3)
Keep the audio cables as close together as possible.
4)
Keep the AC cords away from the audio cables.
5)
Try different ground settings on your preamplifier, if it has them. For example, the VAC
Signature, Phi, and Renaissance preamplifiers may be set to “ungrounded” or “XLR” audio
modes.
6)
The use of cheater plugs is not recommended and poses a safety hazard.