dac for spotify?

[sergerold]

I have two JBL LSR305s connected to my PC (with a trs to 3.5mm cable)

 

i'd like to buy a USB dac as I believe that i'm getting interference from my PC causing a hissing noise

 

one thing id also like to do is use my phone as a remote control to play music on my PC speakers. i know I can do this when the PC is on but I'd like the option of doing so when the PC is off. what is my best option here? speakers -> splitter->one cable to chromecast audio + one to the dac?

 

thanks

[DrMacintosh]

Your best option would be to buy your music  

[sergerold]

Just now, DrMacintosh said:

Your best option would be to buy your music  

ok but how does that help? if I have songs on my phone how do I play them on my speakers (and use the speakers for my PC)?

[DrMacintosh]

Just now, sergerold said:

if I have songs on my phone how do I play them on my speakers

You would need an analog input on your DAC/AMP/stereo side for a 3.5mm jack and the same DAC/AMP/Stereo would need an input from your PCs rear audio. 

[sergerold]

8 minutes ago, DrMacintosh said:

You would need an analog input on your DAC/AMP/stereo side for a 3.5mm jack and the same DAC/AMP/Stereo would need an input from your PCs rear audio. 

tbh that's not very helpful - if anyone has useful advice to my question in the OP i'd be very grateful

[anothertom]

Is the noise a hiss or a buzz?

 

A buzz would suggest a ground loop, a hiss interference. A ground loop can be solved through proper grounding of equipment. Interference can be solved through using balanced connections, either a DAC with balanced outputs or an audio interface with balanced outputs (e.g. Scarlett 2i2) then using 6.35 TRS jack cables to the speakers.

 

Adding a second input for your phone, you may be able to use the cable you were using, but re-routing it as it wouldn't need to go near the computer (where the interference is being picked up from).

[spwath]

1 hour ago, anothertom said:

Is the noise a hiss or a buzz?

 

A buzz would suggest a ground loop, a hiss interference. A ground loop can be solved through proper grounding of equipment. Interference can be solved through using balanced connections, either a DAC with balanced outputs or an audio interface with balanced outputs (e.g. Scarlett 2i2) then using 6.35 TRS jack cables to the speakers.

 

Adding a second input for your phone, you may be able to use the cable you were using, but re-routing it as it wouldn't need to go near the computer (where the interference is being picked up from).

 this, was going to say  same thing.

[sergerold]

1 hour ago, anothertom said:

Is the noise a hiss or a buzz?

 

A buzz would suggest a ground loop, a hiss interference. A ground loop can be solved through proper grounding of equipment. Interference can be solved through using balanced connections, either a DAC with balanced outputs or an audio interface with balanced outputs (e.g. Scarlett 2i2) then using 6.35 TRS jack cables to the speakers.

 

Adding a second input for your phone, you may be able to use the cable you were using, but re-routing it as it wouldn't need to go near the computer (where the interference is being picked up from).

its definitely interference, when i move the mouse around it makes a different sound. im not looking to connect my phone via a cable but have some device (e.g. a chromecast audio) connected to the speakers which i can then control with my phone

[anothertom]

1 hour ago, sergerold said:

its definitely interference, when i move the mouse around it makes a different sound.

Then you'll need to use a balanced connection. You can either use the unbalanced output from your computer and convert it to a balanced signal, or use an audio interface to have a native balanced output.

 

For the former, you want a 2 channel passive DI box (if you search that phrase in this subforum you'll find me recommending specific models to others) with either XLR or three pole jack's to the speakers. Use the shortest possible 3.5mm splitter to reduce any EMI reappearing.

 

For the latter you just need an interface with balanced outputs. The Scarlett 2i2 is probably the cheapest you find one with balanced outputs.

 

As for the Chromecast audio, you'll need to split it to the other speaker, which will cause this whole issue again. You may benefit from getting a small powered mixer (e.g. a behringer/yamaha non-USB model) and running the Chromecast into that then the balanced output to the speakers. At this point you may as well run the PC through the mixer as well, so a mixer with at least two stereo channels.

 

If it were me, I'd get a 2i2 for the balanced outputs and a small mixer.