Low buzzing through speaks

I did separate the XLR cables from any power cables and used a zip tie to keep them from separating and touching any power cables…I checked out that XLR ground lift cable via the link you sent. How does that work do you just plug the XLR cable into that and then plug the whole thing into the Mac? Like if it worked would I need 5 of those on each XLR cable I have?

I did separate the XLR cables from any power cables and used a zip tie to keep them from separating and touching any power cables

Do you remember if that made any difference at all in the buzzing (even the slightest amount)?

do you just plug the XLR cable into that and then plug the whole thing into the Mac?

Correct, but of course I just recommend purchasing qty. 1 first. If you purchase from Amazon, you should be able to return it if it doesn’t eliminate the buzz (if you feel like going through the hassle). If it doesn’t work, it’s still a nice tool to have around in the future.

Like if it worked would I need 5 of those on each XLR cable I have?

Yes, if you still want to use the Transparent’s.

Just out of curiosity, roughly how long are the Transparent XLR cables? If you decide to purchase one of the ground lifter devices, I also wonder, just for comparison sake, if you should also purchase a cheap single XLR cable the same length as one of the Transparent Plus’, to see if just by chance a different cable design has an influence here (if by chance a friend doesn’t have a spare they could borrow you).

I’m rapt in attention to this. I have had this same situation for now two years.

I am music only, no theater. So, generally speaking I can hear the low buzz only from a foot away from my Revel speakers.
 

I have tried everything you have tried. Finally, after every iteration of plug in check, plug out check, new xlr, new rca, rinse and repeat I came to the following. If I take either one of my XLRs connecting between amp and preamp off at the back of the preamp or amp, the buzz goes away.

I keep my Kismet amp on 24-7, my Hegel preamp as well. When I’m not going to be listening to music during most of the week. (I mostly listen Thursday through Sunday) I detach one of the XLRs. no buzz. 

So, my solution this far is to…live with it. I’m watching this thread for any thing I’m missing…..

No separating the cables made no audible difference whatsoever. This buzz has been steady and has not wavered from the first second it reared it’s evil presence😂!

I actually contacted Hosa the company and spoke with a gentleman in their tech support and ran this by him. He didn’t think their ground lift XLR would help as they are designed for microphones, but he admitted he did not know very much about home audio/HT. But I went and ordered one anyway☺️, cuz like you said it’s easy enough to return (like I just did with the Hum-X), and why not at this point?!

The Transparent cables are all 1.5m each…Guess I could also order an el cheapo XLR too, because again why not?!

@dpop  what if I tried disconnecting the XLR’s and try RCA (I do have some of those Transparent as well actually though lower end of their line). Why not right?

I keep my Kismet amp on 24-7, my Hegel preamp as well. When I’m not going to be listening to music during most of the week. (I mostly listen Thursday through Sunday) I detach one of the XLRs. no buzz.

IMO, if you’re spending thousands of dollars on components and interconnects, you shouldn’t have to tolerate any type of noise or buzz. Isn’t that why you’re spending those big bucks in the first place? I’m sure kingbr could do the same (as what you’re doing), but I support his not wanting to, and I’m doing my best to try and help him out.

For over 3 decades I was a Chief Engineer for numerous radio stations. I learned the hard way how to eliminate hums and buzzes, of all kinds. Try connecting hundreds of pieces of broadcast equipment together (both balanced and unbalanced analog) in 14 studios (in one building), and see how many buzzes and hums you encounter (spoiler alert; there will be a lot). And if I do say so myself, there was rarely ever a buzz or hum I couldn't get rid of. 

If it were me, there’s no way I would tolerate a buzz, when spending thousands on home audio equipment. From looking at the manuals on line for the Sim and Mac that are involved here, the XLR outputs are of low impedance, and the balanced XLR inputs are of high impedance - exactly the way it should be, but that’s a very simple way of looking at this, as there’s so much more that goes into a decently designed piece of audio equipment. I’m having a hard time understanding why these two pieces of equipment can’t be happy (with no buzzing) playing nicely together (such technical talk).