[chuckeroo]

This weekend I went over to the local Radio Shack and
picked up a 30 foot audio cable (with 1/8th inch adapter)
to connect my Mac in my office to my stereo in the
living room. It works pretty nicely, but the problem
is I'm getting some pretty loud radio interference, so
between songs and during quiet parts I can hear Christian
Talk Radio loud and clear (maybe someone is telling me
something). My reciever doesn't have a tuner, and I don't
even have a tuner connected to the reciever. There is a
ground screw on back of the reciever, but attaching wire to
this doesn't seem to help at all. Anyone have any
ideas of how to eliminate this?
Thanks!
Chuck

[f1000]

1. Increase the S/N ratio by maximizing the volume on your computer.
2. Get a shielded cable.
3. Use a wireless link.
4. Use a digital link.

[f1000]

By the way, do you still hear Christian Talk Radio if you keep your amplifier on but disconnect the cable from your computer?

[chuckeroo]

Thanks for the reply!
I'd rather not put the extra cash into it to go
with the digital (I don't have an optical out) or wireless options
unless you know of some reasonably inexpensive good ones
(less than $50). I wanted to buy a good cable but I couldn't find
high quality cable over 25 feet and the span is right about 30.
I will try the computer volume up idea in the morning when
my wife's not asleep...
What is the s/n ratio if you have a minute to explain...

Nope, no interference when the cable isn't plugged in, or
with any of my other stuff is plugged in (tv, cd/dvd player).
I imagine it is just the 30 foot span of unsheilded cable
being plugged in that is acting like an antenna of sorts...

Thanks again for your ideas, I'll post back with whether
or not the s/n ratio trick works....
chuck

[Link]

Sound/Noise ratio. He's saying maybe if you turn the volume up all the way it'll be better.

Ideally, some stereos/receivers have options to adjust the volume of the source as well (err so if you don't want to turn the volume on your receiver down but need the volume on your mac up), but that doesn't seem like the case here... I guess you'll just have to turn your mac's volume all the way up and the receiver's volume down to compensate-- the idea is that hopefully more 'sound' coming through the wire will make it easier to ignore

You might be able to get insulation sheathing for it too if you can't find a long cable that's well insulated. I'm guessing 30ft is JUST the right length to make it an antenna

[f1000]

Originally posted by chuckeroo:
Nope, no interference when the cable isn't plugged in, or
with any of my other stuff is plugged in (tv, cd/dvd player).

1. Did you hear the interference when the cable was plugged into the amplifier but NOT the computer? Don't unplug the cable from your amplifier; only from the computer.
2. Do you live in an apartment, townhouse, or other densely populated area?
3. What kind of Mac do you have?