Buzzing/Humming when using Phono Input

[harkpabst]

Phono inputs have almost never been specifically shielded over the course of the last 50 years.

If it does work one way but not the other, pick the way that is working, fair enough. Just make sure to compare apples to apples. In a complex setup just the different routing of cables or the use of a different power outlet can make a difference.

NB:
A phono pickup is a cartridge, mounted to the tip of the tonearm.

 

[Cal_Cobra]

Phono inputs have almost never been specifically shielded over the course of the last 50 years.

If it does work one way but not the other, pick the way that is working, fair enough. Just make sure to compare apples to apples. In a complex setup just the different routing of cables or the use of a different power outlet can make a difference.

NB:
A phono pickup is a cartridge, mounted to the tip of the tonearm.

Next time I try the turntable on the Ultra, I'm going to do the tests suggested by davmol, solid troubleshooting steps.

 

[bernard23]

I had a, response from Wiim ticket I raised a while asking me to test again, so presumably they have made some mods in the last firmware update (though wasn't listed). Haven't tried it yet, but will do at the weekend after a I get back home.

 

[jiglesias]

The phono range of the Ultra is very sensitive to electronic interference. DECT telephones and other transmitters can cause humming noises here. I had the problem with a Devolo dlan adaptor. Devolo removed.....and it was quiet

Hello. I had the same humming noises when trying to use the phono. Having read your post, as I had one of those dlan adapters, I decided to unplug it, and the noise disappeared instantly. Thank you for your useful post.

 

[jiglesias]

I am having an issue when using the phono input on my new WiiM Ultra. No matter how I connect my turntable there is a persistent buzzing/humming noise.

Do not believe it is a problem with the turntable or RCA with ground cable, as when I connect though my old preamp and use the line in input on the ultra instead it disappears completely. I ensured my cartridge is moving magnet and the correct setting is selected.

Also confident it is not a ground issue: I even tried having the RCA cables plugged in to the old preamp (then to ultra line in) and the ground portion to the ultra ground, that came out perfectly silent. However, doing vice-versa (ultra phono input and old preamp ground) the buzzing/humming comes back.

Incredibly frustrated as one of the main reasons I spent more for the ultra was for the phono input and eliminate the old preamp from my setup, any help will be greatly appreciated

Hello. Following the advice of Thorsten in this forum, I have just solved the problem by removing a dlan adapter that was connected nearby. If you haven't tried that, do it.

 

[canard]

Hello. Following the advice of Thorsten in this forum, I have just solved the problem by removing a dlan adapter that was connected nearby. If you haven't tried that, do it.

it is unfortunately classic like the proximity of CD players to FM tuners etc....
;-)

 

[hgo58]

Power line adapters use a whole bunch of different frequencies to try to get a signal through. To other devices this appears to be random noise. The power line adapters are supposed to keep the amplitude low enough that it doesn't cause interference, but they often do not.
If you are serious about audio don't use them. Modern WiFi is much better. You may e.g. set it up as a Mesh Network insted.

 

[Texcan]

I’m having the same problem what is the fix?

 

[PS Panda]

Power line adapters use a whole bunch of different frequencies to try to get a signal through. To other devices this appears to be random noise. The power line adapters are supposed to keep the amplitude low enough that it doesn't cause interference, but they often do not.
If you are serious about audio don't use them. Modern WiFi is much better. You may e.g. set it up as a Mesh Network insted.

I dumped my power line adapters when the line noise they made got into my home studio. And it used balanced connections. IMO they're the work of Beelzebub and superseded by mesh networks.

 

[harkpabst]

I’m having the same problem what is the fix?

Replace your power line adapters. Get rid of faulty wall wart PSUs or power bricks polluting their environment with RFI noise. Take care of proper cable management (don't run signal and power cables in parallel). Use schielded cables where possible. Reseat your equipment slightly and check if it makes a difference.

It's all in this thread. You just have to read.

 

[GdadPdad]

I am having an issue when using the phono input on my new WiiM Ultra. No matter how I connect my turntable there is a persistent buzzing/humming noise.

Do not believe it is a problem with the turntable or RCA with ground cable, as when I connect though my old preamp and use the line in input on the ultra instead it disappears completely. I ensured my cartridge is moving magnet and the correct setting is selected.

Also confident it is not a ground issue: I even tried having the RCA cables plugged in to the old preamp (then to ultra line in) and the ground portion to the ultra ground, that came out perfectly silent. However, doing vice-versa (ultra phono input and old preamp ground) the buzzing/humming comes back.

Incredibly frustrated as one of the main reasons I spent more for the ultra was for the phono input and eliminate the old preamp from my setup, any help will be greatly appreciated

Hi I've had a similar issue, but by unplugging our TP link passthrough power adapters all is silent. Amazing how much interference these things give off.

 

[mikado463]

Greetings, I'm new to streaming as I have just purchased a WiiM Ultra, so far so good. But I have not connected a ground wire to it, I'm guessing there is no need to do so since I utilize a separate outboard phono-pre when spinning vinyl ?

 

[GdadPdad]

I am having an issue when using the phono input on my new WiiM Ultra. No matter how I connect my turntable there is a persistent buzzing/humming noise.

Do not believe it is a problem with the turntable or RCA with ground cable, as when I connect though my old preamp and use the line in input on the ultra instead it disappears completely. I ensured my cartridge is moving magnet and the correct setting is selected.

Also confident it is not a ground issue: I even tried having the RCA cables plugged in to the old preamp (then to ultra line in) and the ground portion to the ultra ground, that came out perfectly silent. However, doing vice-versa (ultra phono input and old preamp ground) the buzzing/humming comes back.

Incredibly frustrated as one of the main reasons I spent more for the ultra was for the phono input and eliminate the old preamp from my setup, any help will be greatly appreciated

We experienced the same issue and struggled to figure out the cause until we came across another discussion thread that provided some valuable insight. It mentioned that certain plug-in WiFi extenders could be the source of the unwanted noise. Coincidentally, we had several of these extenders in use, so we decided to test the suggestion by unplugging them all. To our relief, the noise on the phono input disappeared entirely, leaving us with absolute silence. This simple solution resolved the problem completely for us.