0-bit noise

[MrLister]

Is there a way to eliminate or reduce the speaker hissing noise that happens when volume is turned up (for example on a 0-bit track)?

Thanks

[TREETOP]

Originally Posted by MrLister

Is there a way to eliminate or reduce the speaker hissing noise that happens when volume is turned up (for example on a 0-bit track)?

Thanks

The culprit will usually be either amplifier gain set too high, or more realistically the signal-to-noise ratio of something in the chain (before the amplifier) is low and the amp is just making it louder. A quick band-aid is lowering the gain, but that's not always a long-term fix since you likely have your gains set where they sound the best to you already.
If it's the amp itself, sometimes a line driver will help since the amp's gain can then be reduced, but again that's kind of a band-aid. The best solution is usually to replace the offending component and replace it with something with either higher voltage or a higher S/N ratio.

What's your setup?

[MrLister]

Yea, it happens only when I play the sound via Avic-Z3 which goes into the line in for the alpine F#1. I will definitely try a line driver. Any advice on a good line driver that won't distort the sound horribly?

[TREETOP]

Seems like the Z3 has 2V or 2.2V preouts, are you using the preouts or the A/V line outs? Reason I ask is because preouts will be controlled by the Z3's volume and the line outs are just line level. Wondering if the noise is less noticeable with the Z3's volume higher? Assuming you're using your alpine unit for volume control and that the Z3 does have both pre- and line outs..

[VP Electricity]

Doesn't the Z3 have Toslink out?

By the way, it's not zero-bit noise - the noise is always there (varying with volume). You only notice it with the zero bit track.

[t3sn4f2]

Originally Posted by VP Electricity

Doesn't the Z3 have Toslink out?

By the way, it's not zero-bit noise - the noise is always there (varying with volume). You only notice it with the zero bit track.

Just to add, the noise can increase when an actual signal is run through the DAC. Weather it's at a level above or below the noise floor depends how clean the output is when no signal present.

[MrLister]

I'm just using the RCA out from the avic going to the line input on the alpine. i contro lthe volume from both but the noise remains. the avic-z3 at the highest volume is quiter than playing the same song throug hthe alpine at the same alpine volume that was on when z3 was at the highest.

I didn't think the avic has a toslink. Does it?

[TREETOP]

I'm pretty sure it's not Toslink but there is a digital out on the Z3- seems like it has a 3.5mm mini jack and that there's an adapter available to switch it to a different type of plug.