Xitel Ground Loop Isolator

Xitel has announced its designed specifically to stop the ground loop hum that can result from connecting computers to home stereo equipment. "As the trend towards more and more consumers playing digital audio from their computers through their home stereo systems continue, many are discovering an annoying hum in their speakers. The most likely cause of this hum is not their PC or home stereo, but a ground loop in their home or apartment mains power wiring, which can occur through differences in resistance in the electrical system." It is available for $30.

"When a computer or audio component is connected to a stereo, a path is provided for electricity to flow from one wall socket to another as the electrical system tries to balance itself, causing the amplifier to generate noise, which is heard through the speakers as annoying hum.
Given that the volume of users who listen to music through their PCs continues to rise, Xitel has released a new Ground Loop Isolator to enable consumers to continue to connect their computer to their home stereo and enjoy pristine digital audio without any background interference. Xitel's new Ground Loop Isolator ($30) works by breaking the earth between a computer and stereo to ensure no ground path exists for current from an electrical imbalance to flow.
This simple and effective way of eliminating ground loop issues preserves the full fidelity of all digital music while preventing speakers from humming."

by MacNN Staff