• Registered: 2020-10-31
  • Posts: 3

Topic: ADI-2 DAC + AUDEZE LCD 5 ground noise issue

hello everyone,
i am experiencing a noise/grounding noise issue with my combination of the DAC FS and the Audeze LCD 5.
When i wear the LCD 5 headphones and my ear touches the apparently conductive part of the speaker, i hear a ground buzz in the corresponding side and also on both sides, if both ears touch the inside.
This also happens if the DAC is turned off but connected to power.
The noise disappears if I;
- touch the shell of the headphones plug plugged into the DAC
- touch a screw or a metal part of the DAC
- touch the metal housing of my macbook air connected via usb
- connect the power adapter of the macbook.

btw, This did not happen when i tested the headphones in the shop, so i guess that the buzz isnt supposed to be there if my ear touches anything.

Any ideas what exactly is going on here and how to fix it?

Best regards, alex

2 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2022-11-05 18:26:51)

  • KaiS
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2020-02-05
  • Posts: 3,122

Re: ADI-2 DAC + AUDEZE LCD 5 ground noise issue

We have discussed this issue several times.
It always happens if in a system there is no mains ground present.

The very minor leakage current that makes its way from the mains, creates a charge of AC voltage that is made audible by the planar-magnetic headphones working as electrostatic ones, kind of.


The simple solution is, establish a ground connection by mounting a ground cable to one of the screws of ADI-2.

Something like this:

https://smile.amazon.de/Warmbier-Erdung … amp;sr=8-2

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fkZPlKJfL._AC_SX679_.jpg

KaiS's Website

  • Registered: 2020-10-31
  • Posts: 3

Re: ADI-2 DAC + AUDEZE LCD 5 ground noise issue

Thank you so much!

All the best,
Alex