Ground Loops

[jclark138]

Glad you found the solution. The depth of knowledge here never ceases to amaze-

And, for fear of hijacking the thread, “ ground loops” gotz a whole different meaning to pilots ! !

[Dela]

UUGGGHHHHH!!!!!

Isolator didn't work - FAAACCCKKK

Going to rewire it all today

[Sergio]

Those so called "isolators" are just a signal noise filter that need to be installed right on the output of the source device and only effective if the source is introducing the noise through the signal cable.

If you have LED drivers operating near the devices, by design they generate a lot of interference due to the high voltage pulses used by the buck converters and can cause problems if not properly shielded.

If Your WiFi router is a 2.4GHZ it will also generate interference with Bluetooth devices in case your sound bar has Bluetooth interface.

You may want to troubleshoot by identifying if the noise is only present if the cable is connected, a particular audio source is being used or other devices (LED lights, wifi router, etc) are ON when it happens.

[JohnnieB]

Goinhg back to square one, there are three (at least) ways of noise getting into a sound system.
B+ (aka Power)
B- (aka Ground)
EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference - Through the air)

With all the stuff you're are running you've got multiple potential sources for each type. With nothing except the sound system having power applied to it (IE: pull fuses or remove power wires to everything else), is the sound system noisy free?

If it is, start powering up the other stuff one at a time and maybe the noise source(s) can be identified.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by jclark138

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And, for fear of hijacking the thread, “ ground loops” gotz a whole different meaning to pilots ! !

So does "Ground Effect"

[kernal]

Originally Posted by JohnnieB

So does "Ground Effect"

I'm ok with ground effect. Ground loops not so much.

Sorry Dela. I don't have an input to your problem.

[Dela]

Originally Posted by Sergio

If Your WiFi router is a 2.4GHZ it will also generate interference with Bluetooth devices in case your sound bar has Bluetooth interface.

Very interesting - this could have started when I added the router...

[Dela]

Originally Posted by JohnnieB

With all the stuff you're are running you've got multiple potential sources for each type. With nothing except the sound system having power applied to it (IE: pull fuses or remove power wires to everything else), is the sound system noisy free?

If it is, start powering up the other stuff one at a time and maybe the noise source(s) can be identified.

GREAT idea! Thank you - will do this pronto