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Mike22222222
Contributor I
July 26, 2022

Sonos port buzzing - connected to Crown XLi800

  • July 26, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 396 views

Sonos Port causing buzzing hum when connected to a crown XLi 800 amplifier. All new equipment. Thought the Port was bad - so got a second one and the same issue occurs. I tested with different sources (ie: phone connection) direct into the amp and no buzzing / hum occurred - it is just the Sonos Port that causes the noise. The buzz / hum appears to be at a constant level even when the volume is adjusted. 
Does anyone have any ideas? Appreciate any comments or ideas to get this resolved. 

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3 replies

John B
July 26, 2022

Possibly a ground loop hum.  Possibly something else.

https://www.prosoundweb.com/troubleshooting-hum-awe/

It is unlikely to be anything wrong with the Port.  Or with anything else.  It’s just the whole picture when everything is powered on.

 

    ratty
    ratty
    July 26, 2022

    In fact it could be the opposite: a floating ground. 

    I’ve found that it’s been beneficial to earth a Port externally, by chopping the end off an old RCA cable and using the exposed shield to ground one of the Port’s vacant sockets.

      buzz
      buzz
      Grand Maestro
      July 26, 2022

      If a cable box has a copper path to PORT, even if this path is through an intermediate box, try disconnecting the cable feed. Of course this not a proper solution, but it will help identify the fundamental source of the ground loop. Properly grounding the cable feed is the best way to begin a fix. Sometimes reversing the power plugs in their outlet (if possible) will help. You’ll need to experiment with the orientation of each plug and work out the minimum hum configuration with repeated trials.

      It is possible that a signal wire or the PORT is near a large magnetic field and simply moving something will help.

      Pros tend to use Jensen products for ground isolation. Yes, they are expensive, but they just work. If you dig around, you can find items in the $10-20 range. If you decide to fuss with any of these cheap units, be sure that you can return the unit or are content with simply throwing it in your “bin” of unused kit.

      If the cable system is the primary instigator, grounding the cable feed it the best approach and this will also minimize the risk of lightning damage to your equipment. Cable installers should ground the installation, but many don’t. There are “ground isolators” designed to be inserted in the cable feed, but many of them will compromise the feed in some way. It’s hard to predict what, if any, negative effects will be created by the ground isolator.

       

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