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Topic: Soundcard problem with headphones (Read 2741 times) previous topic - next topic
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Soundcard problem with headphones

I have a strange problem when I plug my headphones into my PC: sometimes I hear bleeping sounds or some type of buzzing, even when the volume is muted. It's only noticeable if I'm not listening to music or playing a game, but I think it's always there. I don't have this problem on my laptop or anywhere else. Is this a soundcard problem? I'm using an onboard soundcard (motherboard is Asus P6T SE). If this is a soundcard problem, would a cheap dedicated sound card solve the problem and provide decent quality sound (compared to my current setup), or would I have to spend ~$100 to fix this properly?

Soundcard problem with headphones

Reply #1 –
A dedicated sound card would probably help.

If you're using IEMs or some other low impedance, high sensitivity headphones adding an impedance adapter would probably help a lot as well.  I've noticed some onboard DACs have a lot of trouble driving low impedance IEMs without a bit of hiss, but sound fine if you up the impedance to 64+ ohms with an adapter.

Soundcard problem with headphones

Reply #2 –
I get that with my CMI8768 soundcard on a 64ohm headphone. It's just poor shielding and noise coming from other components.
 

Soundcard problem with headphones

Reply #3 –
Quote from: mindKILLER on
I have a strange problem when I plug my headphones into my PC: sometimes I hear bleeping sounds or some type of buzzing, even when the volume is muted. It's only noticeable if I'm not listening to music or playing a game, but I think it's always there.


When they occur, noises like these are due to eitther bad grounding of PC components such as the motherboard, or internal grounding within the motherboard itself, or they are due to bus contention ion the PC's system board.  Most bus conention problems revolve around hard drive controllers and video controllers. They may be resolved with new drivers or adjustement of relevant parameters. They may require a total replace of critical components to address.

Quote
I don't have this problem on my laptop or anywhere else. Is this a soundcard problem? I'm using an onboard soundcard (motherboard is Asus P6T SE). If this is a soundcard problem, would a cheap dedicated sound card solve the problem and provide decent quality sound (compared to my current setup), or would I have to spend ~$100 to fix this properly?


Probably the simplest thing to do is to obtain a good inexpensive USB audio interface, some of which are sold in the $25-50 range.  Search the web for "audio rightmark" test results for several candidates before you spend any money.