Wicked noise issues

[DougMasters]

pc info
Windows 10 Home Version    10.0.19041 Build 19041
Ryzen 7 3700x
BIOS Version/Date    American Megatrends Inc. 2407, 7/1/2020
BIOS Version/Date    American Megatrends Inc. 2407, 7/1/2020

asus tuf gaming x570 wifi 
msi 5700xt evoke
gskill trident z neo 2x16
EVGA SuperNOVA 750 ga 80+ gold
samsung UN50TU700 as monitor
MSI Optix G27C2 27" 1920 x 1080 

Audio Info
speakers 2x KRK 8" rokits
interface presonus firestudio project ( using legacy firewire driver and pci firewire card )
interface scarlett focusrite solo
various orientations of cables
musicians gear power conditioner

 

I read the "read this before posting" and I know it said keep it short and I'll try, but I am an overthinker.

 

I am getting WICKED noise through these speakers while gaming and I gotta weird hunch it may be a power issue as opposed to a GPU issue. 
At first glance it's easy to blame the GPU, when vsync is on or something limitting FPS the noise subsides, BUT, I do not get the noise through low powered devices like headphones, and a "smidge" through a lowerish powered device like my wife's sony srsx speaker. The audio will not engage if the computer has been silent a bit unless I crank the volume up and wait a second. It will then start pumping audio and I can turn it to lower volumes. Also, while gaming, the speaker noise spikes a smidge when the mouse is tracking across the screen, like an extra buzz added to the existing noise.

 

I just got a cable this morning to go from the mobo's audio out, into my speakers and the noise was even worse, so I hit my wits end. In fact straight outta the mobo it makes the noise even without gaming, up to and including the noise while manipulating the mouse. 

My entire audio setup works perfectly on my previous mac, and my wife's laptop, running the same games.

On a more "nebulous" issue, I have a logitech x56 whos throttle is giving off ghost inputs. At first I didn't link these two issues together, however, this famously buggy throttle works fine on my wife's laptop. 

 

Im half wondering if this is a weird power issue affecting the MOBO, or if the MOBO itself is defective, the noise getting to the interfaces, and the high power of the speakers making this more evident, power issues causing the usb port to make the x56 act jumpy.... but I have no spare parts to just swap out and start testing theories. The only thing I could do was check for ground loops which I dont have and test everything on my laptop with which everything works perfectly.

 

Anyone have any idea on what I could do to test what could be the issue?

[GroundRod]

What speakers are you using?

 

[DougMasters]

2xKRK 8" rokits

[GroundRod]

Just to be clear, these are powered speakers?

Does each have its own AC power cord or do they use a brick type PS?

[DougMasters]

Yes I shoulda been clearer, both are powered monitors and they each have a separate power cable.

Part of me was first wondering if it was a coil whine sorta thing, amplified by the fact that these are both relatively higher powered speakers.

But that didn't explain the audio not engaging unless the volume was cranked first. Which I suppose could be unrelated. But I have no other pair of higher powered speakers to test, thats an expensive thing to have a spare set of.

 

[GroundRod]

Ok, so it seems you have a ground loop.!

First thing is to make sure both speakers and the computer are all plugged into the same AC outlet.

Do you have them all plugged into the same AC outlet?

[DougMasters]

PC tech im a bit of a noob with but audio gear I am not

I am 99.99 percent sure I dont have a ground loop, but there is still a .01 percent change im a total idiot.

But yes everything is plugged into the same power conditioner which is plugged into one outlet. And ive been using these speakers for years while recording, no noise issues, and none of this is a problem on my laptop, same games, same everything.

And also doesnt explain the audio not engaging with the interface without a jolt.

 

[GroundRod]

I see the speakers have a balanced input, but the computer uses an unbalanced output, how are you interfacing them?

[GroundRod]

One other question, have you tested the AC outlet for proper ground and polarity?

[DougMasters]

interface presonus firestudio project ( using legacy firewire driver and pci firewire card )
interface scarlett focusrite solo

 

both use balanced outs and i have balanced cables, ive switched between balanced and unbalanced, no difference.

[DougMasters]

what like with a multimeter? 

[GroundRod]

Are you using the power adapter for the focusrite?

[DougMasters]

I tested our outlets when i moved in but out of prudence i just tested the outlet now, polarity and voltage are good

Now power adapter for the focusrite.

Its worth mentioning i also use a presonus firestudio project, it does have its own power cable, same issues no matter which interface

 

[GroundRod]

Are you using just the audio out of the mother board?

[DougMasters]

Ive tried both through my two interfaces, and straight outta the mobo.

Outta the mobo was worse

Ya know, im really wondering if there isnt a defect in the speakers, per say, but the design or the way it draws power is effing with everything else, then again if that were the case, id have the same issue whilst plugged into the laptop, which i dont, so im back to it being one of the pc components.

 

 

[GroundRod]

8 minutes ago, DougMasters said:

I tested our outlets when i moved in but out of prudence i just tested the outlet now, polarity and voltage are good

Now power adapter for the focusrite.

Its worth mentioning i also use a presonus firestudio project, it does have its own power cable, same issues no matter which interface

 

It's not the voltage that's of concern, it is the ground connection, without the ground you will get wicked noise!

So if you are not sure about the ground, you need to confirm that first!

[DougMasters]

I did.

I usually check both when i check one, no point otherwise right?

 

ground, polarity and voltage seem a-ok

 

[GroundRod]

The next step is eliminating equipment, can you try another source like connecting it to your cellphone?

Are you using a 3.5mm to RCA cable?

[DougMasters]

Well ive dont this....
Ive migrated the entire setup to my laptop with no issues, and i've taken piece by piece to my laptop with no issues. 

So zero issues with any of the non internal pc components on the laptop. 

As far as sources, when not gaming, zero extra noise from guitars and such and outside audio players.

The only time i get the noise while not gaming is if I go straight from the pc into the speakers with no audio interface.

[GroundRod]

Try replacing the AC cords, one may have a ground wire broken.

[GroundRod]

Oh,

Your using a TV as a monitor?

Disconnect the the HDMI or DP cable going to it and see if the noise stops.

[GroundRod]

Two questions:

1. Does the TV have a 3 prong AC plug?
2. Do you have the TV plugged into the same AC outlet the PC is plugged into?

[DougMasters]

No, the tv does not have a ground plug, however, my msi 1080p monitor does, everything is plugged into the same power conditioner, which uses the same one wall outlet.

Whilst firing up DCS flight sim, the noise ramps up. If I disconnect the television, unplug it from the wall and unplug all cables from the gpu, the noise is still the same.

And I have a myriad of power cords, ive swapped every piece of equipment testing different cables, however, since your comment I did at least decide to check the continuity of the ground in all my power cables that are in use, and all are making a connection from the male end to the female end.

[GroundRod]

You should try bypassing the power conditioner by plugging everything into a power bar and directly connecting to the AC outlet.