I replaced my Intel NUC with a Nucleus One. I submitted a thread in early October to indicate that I now have low level popping sounds like static coming out of each speaker with the Nucleus. There was some dialog back and forth and then I went out of town for 5 weeks. I did not have the popping sounds with the Intel NUC. Nothing else has changed in my system except to replace the NUC with the Nucleus. I am sure you can read the earlier thread. One of the suggestions was to install a fiber optic HDMI cable which I just did. I still have low level static sounds coming out of the speakers. The wiring on my entire home was completely replaced in 2019 and I have separate circuits running to my system. So I am inclined to isolate this to the Nucleus that I just purchased several months ago. How can we resolve this issue?
Describe your network setup
My Roon system is connected via Ethernet to an Asus Router RT-AX88U It is connected via a switch which goes to the router.
mjw
(Here I am with a brain the size of a planet and they ask me to pick up a piece of paper. Call that job satisfaction? I don't.)
2
What you describe sounds like a ground loop. Indeed, after finding the earlier thread, Roon support arrived at the same conclusion after performing various tests.
Accordingly, I am moving the thread to Roon Software Discussion, so the community may offer assistance removing the ground loop.
First things first, it would be really helpful if you describe how everything is connected, including cables, power supplies, conditioners etc. you may use.
I recently connected one of my Dell servers to my FiiO R7, and by god the noise heard through the system was horrendous. The noise from the speakers was the same noise as the power supply.
I then connected another server to the same R7 and the noise had gone. Zero noise from the power supply.
A ground loop would be more a hum or buzz.
A fibre optic HDMI would remove a ground loop issue, so I suspect it’s a power supply noise issue, which will produce a noise from the speakers.
My system consists of the following: Marantz AV10 surround sound processor, ATI AT527-NC Class D 7 channel amp, Oppo UDP205 Blue Ray Player and a Roku player. There was no issue when using the Intel NUC. The NUC died and I decided to purchase the Roon Nucleus One. Now I have the noise.
My system is connected with HDMI cables, including the fiber optic HDMI from the Nucleus to the Marantz AV10. I also have a Sony Bravia 8II 65" TV connected to the Marantz AV10 via HDMI. All are connected to the network via Ethernet and a Netgear switch.
Power supply noise from a bad Nucleus brick must be making its way through mains to the Marantz or ATI amp. You could put them on a noise suppressor power strip, like this. There are hum eliminators at Sweetwater, etc. as well.
If this is a bad brand new Nucleus Brick, I would probably want to have it replaced than to continue using it. I do have a Tripplite protector. I have to look if it is a noise suppressor as well.
mjw
(Here I am with a brain the size of a planet and they ask me to pick up a piece of paper. Call that job satisfaction? I don't.)
8
If you have the NUC’s power supply brick, you could use that to confirm the hypothesis – check here if you’re not sure about the specifications / match.
I do not have the NUC anymore, but I did a simple test. I leave the Nucleus One plugged in and I can hear popping on all speaker channels no matter what source I use. If I unplug the Roon Nucleus leaving the system on, all the speaker noise immediately goes away. If I plug it in and turn the Nucleus One back on, the noise returns. Clearly an issue with the Nucleus One. I need Roon to step up and supply me a replacement for this faulty nucleus.
I also tested plugging in the Nucleus One to different circuits in the house only to get the same result; Unplug the unit and no popping. Turn the unit back on and popping starts.
In my case, and with my Dell brick still plugged in, I unplugged the USB cable from my DAC and the noise stopped. The noise in my case was not via the mains as mentioned by @ExUnoPlura.
He indicates an optical HDMI from Nucleus to Marantz…
EDIT: It’s worth trying pulling out the HDMI interconnect though. It might test an alternative hypothesis that the Nucleus is putting corrupted data out the HDMI OR that the optical HDMI interface is flawed.
The issue here with the optical HDMI cable is that it’s being used for a purpose it wasn’t designed for.
Why?
Optical HDMI cables are used primarily for long distances. They’re usually shielded as well and will produce continuity from one end to another. So using an optical HDMI cable will unlikely stop ground loop (buzz or hum) or a noisy power supply (pops, crackles at different amplitudes).
I honestly believe the issue is the Nucleus Ones power supply brick. You will only solve this by using another one that isn’t noisy or try using something else. The fact the OP mentions a NUC was used prior to the N1 without issue, it’s fairly safe to say it isn’t a ground loop issue.
The noise is there when the Nucleus is powered on. When it is powered off, there is no noise. I have tried different outlets and different circuits and the same result occurs. That is why I believe this is a Nucleus One issue.
mjw
(Here I am with a brain the size of a planet and they ask me to pick up a piece of paper. Call that job satisfaction? I don't.)
18
I understand this. I was hoping for you to confirm that this occurs when the Nucleus isn’t connected to anything apart from the mains supply.
mjw- Good suggestion. Tested with power turned on and no connection with HDMI and there is no noise. When I plug the HDMI in, the noise returns. I have tried multiple HDMI cables including the current fiber optic cable.
It definitely acts like a ground loop but that’s usually a 60 Hz hum. Your fiber HDMI must have the copper twisted-pair sets as well in order to complete the loop. It’s a shame the Marantz AV10 uses an IEC-2 rather than 3 prong! You could invest in a pure fiber cable but I think they are $$$.
