General SQ General discussion of Sound Quality related issues.

Which Ground Loop isolator To Use?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 19, 2007 | 11:15 AM
  #1  
curtsmith17's Avatar
Thread Starter
0 Watt CAFz'r
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 22
Which Ground Loop isolator To Use?

I was experiencing some noise and isolated the noise to my RCA's and Amp connection. I purchased a Raptor Audio ground loop isolator which fixed the noise problem, but it seems that i lost some Mid bass.

Just wondering is there a better ground loop isolator out there that won't reduce sound quality?

Thanks
Old Mar 19, 2007 | 11:41 AM
  #2  
SweetnLow91SC's Avatar
500 Watt CAFz'r
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 884
Jensen Isomax..... with studio grade transformer are the best sounding ones. but they arn't cheap tho. (approx $300ea)



* this is not the same Jensen brand Walmart sell.

Last edited by SweetnLow91SC; Mar 20, 2007 at 01:03 AM.
Old Mar 19, 2007 | 11:50 AM
  #3  
MR2NR's Avatar
4000 Watt CAFz'r
iTrader: (66)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,420
While some are better than others, you will always lose sound. If it takes away the whine from frequency a - b, what is it also doing to the same sounds from frequency a - b. It is always best to solve the problem instead of using a band aid on it.
Old Mar 19, 2007 | 12:05 PM
  #4  
Buzz's Avatar
50 Watt CAFz'r
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 291
Originally Posted by MR2NR
While some are better than others, you will always lose sound. If it takes away the whine from frequency a - b, what is it also doing to the same sounds from frequency a - b. It is always best to solve the problem instead of using a band aid on it.

^^^^^ exactly. re-route your rca's and speaker lines away from ALL power sources, keep your ground wire at the amps as short as possible and to a solid ground point. Fix it, don't cover up the problem. I run my power cable down one side the of the car, and my rca's down the other side, my speaker wires down the middle. The ground is 9 inches long and did the BIG 3. Fixed ALL my noise issues.
Old Mar 19, 2007 | 07:48 PM
  #5  
6talldog's Avatar
0 Watt CAFz'r
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 16
Originally Posted by curtsmith17
I was experiencing some noise and isolated the noise to my RCA's and Amp connection. I purchased a Raptor Audio ground loop isolator which fixed the noise problem, but it seems that i lost some Mid bass.

Just wondering is there a better ground loop isolator out there that won't reduce sound quality?

Thanks
A high quality ground loop isolator should not affect the audio signal. They are basically isolation transformers with a 1:1 ratio. They only cut the DC path through the RCA shield as it cannot flow via the magnetic coupling of the isolator's transformers. It is virtually impossible to eliminate all voltage variations on the various component grounds. Problems can be magnified though by poor design in the amplifiers ground circuits, ie., not properly isolating signal ground from power ground.

Before using an isolator I would try using different ground points. As was pointed out, some isolators do not always work as well as they could vis a vis the audio signal. But again, good ones would minimize or eliminate any degradation of the audio signal.
Old Mar 19, 2007 | 09:08 PM
  #6  
Haunz's Avatar
4000 Watt CAFz'r
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,218
autosound2000 and PAC both make high quality RCA isolation transformers and sell them for a very reasonable price....... but IMO the best fix is always going to be an isolated power supply for your HU.....
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sakic19
Install related
0
Apr 5, 2010 09:11 AM
evilspoons
Install related
1
Mar 30, 2008 09:41 AM
Cereal
Install related
7
Apr 19, 2007 05:58 PM
bigwise1
General Discussion
1
Jun 4, 2005 10:40 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:53 AM.