Interference noise with new Mac Mini & KVM (ground loop?)

[ibri]

Last week I bought a new 2011 Mac Mini (base model), and one of these DVI KVMs w/ audio
(http://www.amazon.com/Syba-SY-KVM20...OR8S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312208877&sr=8-1)
to switch between the Mac and the PC.

Unfortunately, I'm getting a hum and crackling noise over the audio on the Mini, and its volume seems a bit low.
It doesn't happen when connecting directly to the Mini, only when going
through the KVM. But my PC's audio sounds just fine through the KVM, as does my MacBook Pro & iPhone when I try them on the same port. I
did a bit of googling and it sounds like I have what's called a ground
loop? Both Machines are running from the same surge protector on the same outlet, which sounds like one step in eliminating these problems.

I see there's something called a ground loop isolator which may be able to filter out the noise, but may also adversely impact audio quality. Seems like a band-aid fix too and I'd rather get to the root of the problem.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

BTW, not shown in the picture are the headphones I have connected to the KVM.

 

[ibri]

I ended up sending the Syba KVM back to Amazon, fairly certain it was to blame. Oops. I just hooked up a Belkin Flip DVI KVM I bought and am having the same issue. Apparently the issue is with the Mini.

Is anyone using a 2011 Mac Mini with a KVM that switches audio? Are you having the issue (slight hiss & hum)?

Thanks.

 

[Gary King]

I know that this is an old thread, but I have a similar problem and I hope you have found a solution by now.

I have a Mac Mini 2012 and am using this DVI KVM from IOGEAR, and every time I start playing music, there's a quick "pop" sound from the KVM. I don't know if you experienced this, but your problem sounds at least somewhat similar.

I already have a ground loop isolator but it doesn't seem to fix the problem. Did you ever manage to resolve this issue, and if so, what did you do?

Thanks in advance!