Noisy Cable

Posted by: Edwin on 07 November 2000

I have been trying to connect my TV, which receives its signal via cable (Rogers), to my 32.5 preamp. The CD player and turntable are always connected. When connecting the TV, the CD input is so noisy that I have to unplug the TV.

This problem only became apparent when I switched from an Arcam 5+ to my current CD3.5

Any ideas on how I can remedy this?

Posted on: 08 November 2000 by Former member

Edwin.

You need to go to radio Shack and buy a little device that breaks the ground on your cable. Right now, the cable ground and CDP ground are causing a loop.

Vuk.

P.S. Naim guys, this should be the #1 FAQ item.

Posted on: 08 November 2000 by Edwin

Thanks Vuk

I just spoke to the Radio Shack guys. Is the device you have in mind called an 'attenuator', which plugs into the cable outlet at the wall and reduces the signal. If so, it sounds like this reduces the signal and does not necessarily remove noise.

He seems to think that this is what I need.

[This message was edited by Edwin on THURSDAY 09 November 2000 at 00:28.]

Posted on: 09 November 2000 by Martin Payne

Vuk,

sorry to rain on your parade, but Naim vehemently disagreed with me that this is even an issue!

You're right, they're wrong!

cheers, Martin

Posted on: 09 November 2000 by Andrew Randle

The radio shack guy does not know what he is talking about.

Vuk is likely to be correct about earth loops being creating by adding the TV.

You can try Vuk's remedy, or solder up a home-made interconnect cable without the earth.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

Posted on: 09 November 2000 by Martin Payne

Edwin,

no, it's NOT an attenuator. You need something to break the 'earth' or 'ground'. If the product doesn't have either of those words in the name or the description it isn't going to help.

Andrew,

is the solution really as simple as opening up an existing cable and snipping one earth wire?

cheers, Martin

Posted on: 09 November 2000 by John Schmidt

Rogers cable/TV/32.5 ....... Hmmmmm, Not quite source first orthodoxy, is it?

Cheers,

John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon

Posted on: 09 November 2000 by Former member

quote:
Vuk,
sorry to rain on your parade, but Naim vehemently disagreed with me that this is even an issue!
You're right, they're wrong!

Martin.

I am confused by your message. Maybe I am wrong about the technical explanation, but many of us here in Canada have this problem when hooking up a VCR to a Naim pre-amp that has another gorunded source hooked up to it. The hum is obvious AND it goes away when you break the cable ground.

Edwin.

I will try to get the part # for this and the name that the idiots at Radio Shack give it.

Vuk.

Posted on: 09 November 2000 by Edwin

Vuk,
Thanks. The part # would be very useful. It is however strange that I didn't get this problem with my old Arcam Alpha 5+.

John,
I'll get my hari kiri sword out of the closet.

Posted on: 14 December 2000 by Edwin

Vuk,

Did you ever find out what the Radio Shack part # was?

Edwin