Noisy Onkyo 605...ground loop/RFI

[VinnAY]

Here's my problem: I have noise being generated by the 605 thru my speakers and sub. It's most noticeable on my PS3 because I normally have the volume in the top regions 80+/100. I know that I'm talking about a ground loop, possibly RFI interference.
I started addressing the problem in steps...
the PS3 I eliminated the third prong on the power cord, no improvement.
Unplugged the Coax cable from the STB, no improvement.
PLugged the PS3 via extension cord to the garage, no improvement.
Plugged the 605 via extension cord to the garage, no improvement.
Unplugged everything, one by one, PS3, ext HDD, HD-A30, TWC HD STB, no improvement each time I pulled a plug.
The 605 was all that was left plugged in and the noise was still there...it's a hum and static hiss.

So I've manipulated all the outlets, plugged and unplugged, etc.., I'm kind of at the end of my rope as far as the power connections. I have everything on the same outlet in a surge protector (the bargain bin type).

SO I'm thinking I want to go with a power line conditioner and surge surpression unit, with coax inputs, etc..,


Do you guys have any thoughts if this would be effective on this problem? MonsterCable seems to have something in my price range the MP HTS800, I have to contemplate some overpriced Monster gear....

Suggestions? PLEASE!?!?!


Edit:
My Gear
Samsung 56" DLP HLS-5687W
Onkyo 605
HD-A30
TWC HD 8300HDC set top box
PS3
External HDD (for the set to box, DVR expansion)
JBL speakers throughout

[aramis109]

Volume up 80+?!? I've never had my 605 past 60. Any chance that you're pushing the 606 too high and that's causing the hiss? Can you hear it at lower levels or does it completely go away.

Either you have a huge room or your speakers are very power-hungry. Or you're deaf.

[scweb13]

Panamax, APC, Tripp Lite and Belkin make less expensive power centers and surge surpressors than Monster.

Yeah, I've never had my Onkyo past 65 (only to see how loud it would go). 80+ seems pretty high.

Here's an in-expensive Monster Power Center. Only $27.61 at Amazon, but it's only the strip type and not the rack type. Still, would be a cheap way to test.

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Volume up 80+?!? I've never had my 605 past 60. Any chance that you're pushing the 606 too high and that's causing the hiss? Can you hear it at lower levels or does it completely go away.

Either you have a huge room or your speakers are very power-hungry. Or you're deaf.

That's what I was thinking. My 606 never goes over 55, and even then the dialogue can be clearly heard all the way across the street. The hiss will no longer be a problem when he has profound hearing loss

[VinnAY]

Yes, 80+ is a bit too high, I know that that's factoring into some of the noise...that I'm pushing it a bit too hard at times. But hell, that's why I bought the house, so I can play my stuff as loud as I want. But even at a mid-range volume of ~50 or 60 it's audible. I do believe I should be able to push the 605 at that level and not have this noise and interference though.

For example, starting up a BD on the PS3, as the audio output signal changes from say the 2.0 on menu or previews, the signal drop's out and as the signal begins again with say 5.1 lossless, there is a popping and audible hiss through the speakers as the incoming (to the 605) signal changes over...does that make any sense what I'm trying to relate??

Hell, who doesn't blast the TopGun intro with DTS HD MA!?!?!

[VinnAY]

Originally Posted by robinandtami

That's what I was thinking. My 606 never goes over 55, and even then the dialogue can be clearly heard all the way across the street. The hiss will no longer be a problem when he has profound hearing loss

I already have tinitus and mild hearing loss, but that's due to my Air Force days.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by VinnAY

Yes, 80+ is a bit too high, I know that that's factoring into some of the noise...that I'm pushing it a bit too hard at times. But hell, that's why I bought the house, so I can play my stuff as loud as I want. But even at a mid-range volume of ~50 or 60 it's audible. I do believe I should be able to push the 605 at that level and not have this noise and interference though.

For example, starting up a BD on the PS3, as the audio output signal changes from say the 2.0 on menu or previews, the signal drop's out and as the signal begins again with say 5.1 lossless, there is a popping and audible hiss through the speakers as the incoming (to the 605) signal changes over...does that make any sense what I'm trying to relate??

Hell, who doesn't blast the TopGun intro with DTS HD MA!?!?!

Yeah, definitely shouldn't do that. There was someone else that was mentioning PS3 and Onkyo hiss in another thread. You may want to try searching on that. I have no such issues myself.

Have you updated the firmware or checked to see if there's an update?

[Mr. HiDef]

I have had mine up to 75 being the highest ever and that was only during david gilmour concert on blu ray and it was still very clear and amazing, by any chance could it be the speakers??

[VinnAY]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Yeah, definitely shouldn't do that. There was someone else that was mentioning PS3 and Onkyo hiss in another thread. You may want to try searching on that. I have no such issues myself.

Have you updated the firmware or checked to see if there's an update?

Yeah the PS3/605 relation is what prompted me to remove the polarized ground plug in step 1. I'll check on a firmware update.

[SDon1969]

Hey Vinn, I had a hum with my 605. It seemed to be coming from my cable TV (comcast) coax input. Try unhooking that and see if the noise goes away. If it does, check the link below (that item eliminated the hum).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002KR2RM

However, it does sound odd that you are going 80+ on volume, I rarely break 60 db.

Edit - gotta clean my glasses, I see now you already checked your cable input, sorry.

[VinnAY]

Originally Posted by SDon1969

Hey Vinn, I had a hum with my 605. It seemed to be coming from my cable TV (comcast) coax input. Try unhooking that and see if the noise goes away. If it does, check the link below (that item eliminated the hum).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002KR2RM

However, it does sound odd that you are going 80+ on volume, I rarely break 60 db.

Edit - gotta clean my glasses, I see now you already checked your cable input, sorry.

thanks for that isolator link...for <$10 I'll take it and see how it goes.

[gearyt]

#1 re-install the ground prongs.. they are your friend

Does the amp sing with no inputs ? just amp and speakers
unplug the input cables...
plug in the PS-3 using the same electrical outlet
any change ??

how old is your house, are 3 prong jacks installed or old 2 prong ??

[VinnAY]

Originally Posted by gearyt

#1 re-install the ground prongs.. they are your friend

Does the amp sing with no inputs ? just amp and speakers
unplug the input cables...
plug in the PS-3 using the same electrical outlet
any change ??

how old is your house, are 3 prong jacks installed or old 2 prong ??

The house is just 6 years old. I had power removed, unplugged each component to where I had power on just the 605 and the noise was still present. Don't shoot me here, but even with power and switched on (to everything but the PS3), I pulled the each HDMI separately from the 605 without improvement.

[gearyt]

ok.... If we are on the same page
you only had the receiver and the speakers hooked up
no other connections touching the receiver..

If the above is true, and you tryed other outlets the next step is to
disconnect the speakers, run a short piece of wire to one at a time and
find out if the problem still exists...

starting to look like the receiver has lost a cap in its power supply

g

[Johk]

Did you try to plug your receiver on another circuit of your house? Maybe that could help diagnose if it's the receiver or your power.

Good luck!

[VinnAY]

Originally Posted by Johk

Did you try to plug your receiver on another circuit of your house? Maybe that could help diagnose if it's the receiver or your power.

Good luck!

Yes, I had run an ext cord in from the garage thats on a separate breaker.

[Johk]

Originally Posted by VinnAY

Yes, I had run an ext cord in from the garage thats on a separate breaker.

Now... If you can try it at somebody else house (preferably someone who has a receiver and doesn't have the same problem as you...) then you could rule out the receiver.

Then if it's not the receiver, you will need to look further on your electric system.

Also you could always buy a power conditioner from a store that you can return it no questions asked and see if it solves the problem...

[Eddie2u]

I would test the outlet to see if it is grounded and wired correct.

http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/homem.../grounding.php


Other info

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums...ead.php?t=5667

[guitarist155]

after checking the signal to make sure it's a power problem i would suggest a power conditioner ( furman ) and plugging that into a 120v constant output iso transformer to keep all of the grounds isolated. however this is starting to sound like an internal grounding problem. have you unplugged the sub so that only the receiver and speakers are attached ( no sub ) you could be getting a ground loop through the signal ground of the lfe. if you do get a power conditioner i recommend an iso transformer for the sub or running the sub power back to the same power conditioner the receiver is on.

[VinnAY]

Originally Posted by Eddie2u

I would test the outlet to see if it is grounded and wired correct.

http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/homem.../grounding.php


Other info

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums...ead.php?t=5667

Good tip...I'll grab one of those tonite! That actually makes me think...I did have to swap that outlet a little bit (turned it 180 degrees to face into the closet) that maybe I fluX0red the connections on it somehow.