Nucleus One creates popping and morse code sounds with Marantz AV10 (ref#PDVU44)

Support Nucleus Support
1

Select your Nucleus model from the list below

· Nucleus One

I'm having trouble with my Nucleus hardware

· Other

Select the option that fits best

· The Nucleus boots up and I can connect to it in the Roon app without issue, but I have a question about configuration/storage/attached devices

Describe the issue

Just purchased and installed a Nucleus One to a Marantz AV10 Surround Sound Processor and ATI 5 channel class D amplifier. The Nucleus One is creating a popping sound in all 5 speakers as well as a sporadic morse code sound. It is constant and quite annoying. The sound goes away when the Nucleus is unplugged or the HDMI cable running to the Marantz processor is disconnected. I have switch the plug location and this does not help. What can be done to eliminate this constant noise. At this point I have turned off the Nucleus unit until this can be resolved.

2

Good day @Gary_Cardinale !

Thanks for sharing your problem here.

Checking the previous threads like this (

) we might assume that you have a ground loop problem.

We’d recommend you to try to get an HDMI Isolator or try an Optic Fiber HDMI cable so it does not transmit screen current. It seem to help in such cases.

additionaly, you might check this article on how to eliminate a ground loop:

Regards.

3

I tried another HDMI cable to no avail. I swapped ports on the back of my AVR to no avail. Same irritating popping noise from all speakers. It is hard to find any short length optic fiber hdmi cable. Minimum seems to be 25’. All I need is 3’. Any suggestions on an HDMI isolator product that works? Seems like a fairly esoteric product when searching and some of these run well over $500. Why is it only the Nucleus product causes this? I noticed that the previous thread also mentioned an issue with Marantz AVR. I also have a Marantz surround sound processor(AV10). Is this something that happens with Marantz and Nucleus even though the Marantz is roon ready? I have been using the same system for the better part of a year and had no issues until I plugged the Nucleus One in yesterday. Up until yesterday I was using an Intel NUC with the same HDMI cable and had no issues whatsoever. I decided to replace the NUC after it began having some other issues after 4-5 years and replace with a plug and play Nucleus One. I am not sure if that was the right move anymore.

4

Hi @Gary_Cardinale,

Thanks for giving that a try! Two additional items for you:

  1. If you plug your Nucleus into a different outlet, do you hit the same issues?
  2. We’re not seeing your Nucleus tied to your admin currently - could you please use the directions found [here](https://kb.roonlabs.com/Logs) and send over a set of Roon Server logs from your Nucleus to our [File Uploader](https://workdrive.zohoexternal.com/collection/8i5239cc05950ac07456889838d9319545a82/external)? Once logs have been uploaded, please let us know so that we can check the server for your files, thanks!
5

I did plug into a different outlet on a different circuit to no avail. I am working your number 2 right now.

6

I submitted my logs to you just now. Gary

7

Hey @Gary_Cardinale,

Thanks for sharing logs! As a next step, could you please test out adding a small “resync delay” in Roon for this zone (e.g. 500 ms–1000 ms in Device Setup → Advanced → Resync Delay).

→ This lets the DAC fully lock before audio starts, preventing pops.

Let me know if this changes the behavior at all. Thank you! :folded_hands:

8

Tried both 500ms and 1000ms. Still popping in the speakers. Just so you know, starting tomorrow, Wed, I will be out of town for 3 weeks until Nov 5th. Is there a way you set up not to close the topic since I will need to revisit if this does not get resolved today. Thanks.

9

Good day @Gary_Cardinale !

If you hear the noises all the time and not only during the track switch then it is likely that the problem won’t be fixed by enabling resync delay.

We suspect that the problem is ground loop.

The best way to fix it is still getting an optic fibre HDMI.

We do not sell or test HDMI cables on our side so we cannot give you the exact recommendation on which one to buy, but you can check some threads on forums like reddit for more info:
https://www.reddit.com/r/hometheater/comments/199640c/recommendations_for_an_optical_hdmi_cable_from_a/

The other thing worth trying at cheaper cost is getting HDMI audio extractor , but for your case please pay attention on the description of one so it explicitly states “galvanically isolated HDMI input/output” or “isolated ground” or something like this.

Have a nice day!

Regards.

11

Hi @Gary_Cardinale,

We’ve unfortunately reached the same conclusion as the last thread. The symptom appears to be related to the electrical environment rather than to Roon or the Nucleus hardware itself, and it’s unfortunately outside the scope of what we can troubleshoot remotely.

As others have suggested, the first step is to simplify the setup by removing any power conditioners, filters, or additional components in the power chain. Connect the system using only basic power strips and verify whether the issue still occurs. If the behavior persists even with a simplified setup, we recommend consulting a qualified electrician or local AV installer to confirm that the circuit is properly grounded and within normal operating tolerances for sensitive audio equipment.

You’re welcome to explore some of the isolation or conditioning solutions mentioned earlier in the thread, but the underlying issue is likely environmental power instability that needs to be addressed before those accessories will be effective.