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What Silenced the Ground Loop?

I have a ground loop in my system that is audible from the speakers as the volume is turned up higher. I have a Blue Circle integrated, and one of my sources is a Raysonic CD128. I've had the Raysonic connected single ended. I purchased an inexpensive XLR interconnect just to hear the sonic difference since my Blue Circle has balanced cd inputs and the Raysonic has xlr outputs (not truly balanced).

Once I connected the xlr cables between the Blue Circle int and the Raysonic, the ground loop is gone. Total silence. I can turn the volume on the integrated all the way up and the speakers are silent.

What is it about connecting via balanced inputs on my integrated to not truly balanced outputs on the cdp that killed the ground loop? Thanks for your thoughts
foster_9
Post removed 
palasr
527 posts
 
You might try using a cheater plug to "float" the ground at the AC plug(s) of both components; I'd also try leaving everything as is (with the RCAs connected per usual) and connect a wire between both units to effect a chassis ground. There is NO simple solution for ground loops, or differences in ground potential. Trial and error are the only sure curatives. Most can be solved with patience; some cannot. Happy hunting.

-Richard
foster_9 OP
1,638 posts
 
Thanks for the feedback.(no pun intended):)
Newbee: its not the tubes in the center position of the Raysonic since I had this hum before I got the Raysonic.

Tvad: the sihgled ended IC's I use on my sources are Acoustic Zen Matrix Ref II's and are directional. I don't have enough knowledge of the cable design to know if Robert Lee designs the Matrix Ref II's with the grounds floated or not.

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foster_9 OP
1,638 posts
 
Tvad: Yes, I did have the ground loop (or whatever it is)prior to connecting my Raysonic with XLR's. Using the AZ RCA's with both of my cdps I have had the hum. In fact, I've had 3 different cdps connected up with rcas' and have had hum with all 3. The only exception has been when I connected the Raysonic up to the balanced inputs on my integrated. That config has no hum.
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