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weird loud poping sound trough speakers macpro 6-core

Phishhu said:
I have a 13" and a 17" MBP IC2Duo. The 13 has this problem but the 17 does not. I am quite sure that the sound occurs when the sound card wakes back up (which can be annoying during a presentation) because if I set iTunes volume to 0 and leave it playing an endless loop then there is never a popping sound because the card can't sleep while sound is played even if at vol 0. (It is a power saving technique, ingenious when it works right) I have friends with the 13" IC2Duo which all have the same problem. This makes me wonder if the problem is actually with hardware/software incompatibility. BTW The problem still occurs when I use a Behringer U Control UCA202 USB Audio Interface.
This power saving technique has been in Macs for quite sometime and the popping problem has surfaced in previous models. I think that a software fix could help but until Apple decides to do something other than bury their heads in the sand on it nothing will be done about. As for me, I will keep using an endless sound loop to stop the popping.
Hopefully a fix will come soon.
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as for me, i Also have the pops when listening to music or watching a movie...so in my case nothing to do with the card waking up from sleep since its activated when watching movies or listening to itunes.

still waiting for the replacement hopefully this one doesn't have the problem but I'm not getting my hopes up.
 
mr bojangles said:
as for me, i Also have the pops when listening to music or watching a movie...so in my case nothing to do with the card waking up from sleep since its activated when watching movies or listening to itunes.

still waiting for the replacement hopefully this one doesn't have the problem but I'm not getting my hopes up.
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Will this be your first replacement? (second Mac Pro?) The thing with BTO Mac Pros is that because of the long shipping and delivery times, once you receive the replacement it will be too late for a 14 day return / refund. This is the main thing that scares me.. having spent almost 3000 pounds on a computer, then getting it replaced and maybe being stuck with a replacement that might also be faulty.

I also have popping sounds through my speakers, but the popping sounds happen when electric items are being turned on or off and I had the same thing with my iMac G4, so I think that in my case it's just the bad wiring of this old flat. My real problem with the Mac Pro is a buzzing noise coming from the power supply, as well as a whiny screetching sound coming from the graphics card when putting load on it. I will contact Apple about it tomorrow and I guess I don't have any other option but to go for a replacement and risk not being able to return the product.
 
I just heard some popping noises for the first time today from the mac pro but it coincides directly with a washing machine and dryer switching functions or a nearby bathroom having its lights swapped on and off.
 
I wouldn't ever personally run a Mac Pro without a UPS battery backup. I've had no pops at all on a new Hex after two weeks.

No 5870 issues, either, thankfully, and I'm running a 30" Dell plus a 24" Samsung.
 
2contagious said:
Will this be your first replacement? (second Mac Pro?) The thing with BTO Mac Pros is that because of the long shipping and delivery times, once you receive the replacement it will be too late for a 14 day return / refund. This is the main thing that scares me.. having spent almost 3000 pounds on a computer, then getting it replaced and maybe being stuck with a replacement that might also be faulty.

I also have popping sounds through my speakers, but the popping sounds happen when electric items are being turned on or off and I had the same thing with my iMac G4, so I think that in my case it's just the bad wiring of this old flat. My real problem with the Mac Pro is a buzzing noise coming from the power supply, as well as a whiny screetching sound coming from the graphics card when putting load on it. I will contact Apple about it tomorrow and I guess I don't have any other option but to go for a replacement and risk not being able to return the product.
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Man, get a UPS! How can you be so worried about your MP working perfectly and not spend an extra $100 for clean power and battery backup???

I've got enough juice to keep my MP, plus internet going for a while during a power outage. But, more importantly, I never ever get interference from other appliances in my flat. And I've got really crappy wiring here.
 
reel2reel said:
Man, get a UPS! How can you be so worried about your MP working perfectly and not spend an extra $100 for clean power and battery backup???

I've got enough juice to keep my MP, plus internet going for a while during a power outage. But, more importantly, I never ever get interference from other appliances in my flat. And I've got really crappy wiring here.
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Because it's not just 100 dollars.. a decent 1500va UPS in the UK costs around 300 pounds :/ that's why I am considering an APC Line-R 1200va power conditioner.. It's about 40 pounds. Do you think this would iliminate my interference issues?
 
2contagious said:
Because it's not just 100 dollars.. a decent 1500va UPS in the UK costs around 300 pounds :/ that's why I am considering an APC Line-R 1200va power conditioner.. It's about 40 pounds. Do you think this would iliminate my interference issues?
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WOW. That's crazy. Maybe you could look at getting a refurb or something. I wasn't being 100% serious in my last post (I know a lot of people that never ever use UPS and do fine) but it sounds like you might really benefit from one. I think your wiring is as bad as mine!
 
reel2reel said:
WOW. That's crazy. Maybe you could look at getting a refurb or something. I wasn't being 100% serious in my last post (I know a lot of people that never ever use UPS and do fine) but it sounds like you might really benefit from one. I think your wiring is as bad as mine!
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Does your UPS have a pure sine wave output? Which UPS do you use?

The thing I am wondering (does anybody know?) is if the Line R power conditioner will get rid of interference problems as well? http://www.apcc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=LE1200I

I don't need battery power, I just want the power to be 'clean'.
 
2contagious said:
Does your UPS have a pure sine wave output? Which UPS do you use?

The thing I am wondering (does anybody know?) is if the Line R power conditioner will get rid of interference problems as well? http://www.apcc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=LE1200I

I don't need battery power, I just want the power to be 'clean'.
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No, I think only the more expensive ones do. I've got the 1500 "regular" APC model. But, if I'm not mistaken, the pure sine is only important for certain things, such as LCD TV's. I can't remember why, but this is what an APC rep told me. I wanted to use a regular unit for my home theater, but the rep said they don't recommend it. She said the backup units are for computers and recommended their AV line for TV's because of the pure sine:

http://www.apc.com/products/apcav/products/index.cfm?action=model&id=310

My 1500 has always worked perfectly for interference and interruptions, though. Sometimes I'll get surges or dims in my lamps and I'll hear the APC kick in momentarily but can't see/hear any difference with the Mac.
 
reel2reel said:
No, I think only the more expensive ones do. I've got the 1500 "regular" APC model. But, if I'm not mistaken, the pure sine is only important for certain things, such as LCD TV's. I can't remember why, but this is what an APC rep told me. I wanted to use a regular unit for my home theater, but the rep said they don't recommend it. She said the backup units are for computers and recommended their AV line for TV's because of the pure sine:

http://www.apc.com/products/apcav/products/index.cfm?action=model&id=310

My 1500 has always worked perfectly for interference and interruptions, though. Sometimes I'll get surges or dims in my lamps and I'll hear the APC kick in momentarily but can't see/hear any difference with the Mac.
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What does your UPS kicking in sound like? Like a click?
I went with the APC line conditioner for now, will see how it works out.
 
2contagious said:
What does your UPS kicking in sound like? Like a click?
I went with the APC line conditioner for now, will see how it works out.
Click to expand...

Yep just a click. If it stays on full battery (like if the power goes out) it makes a slight buzz sound sometimes. Otherwise it's silent.
 
lbeck said:
Couldn't resist having a take on this, one word .... TROLLS!
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I don't have the Mac Pro related issue, but just because I (or you) don't have this problem doesn't mean that others don't. Say what you want to say, in my opinion Apple's quality control has gone way down within the last 2 years (judging from my experience with purchases from Apple).
 
2contagious said:
I don't have the Mac Pro related issue, but just because I (or you) don't have this problem doesn't mean that others don't. Say what you want to say, in my opinion Apple's quality control has gone way down within the last 2 years (judging from my experience with purchases from Apple).
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I agree about QC issues with Apple, I had a hell of a time with my iPhone 4 and my new 27" iMac is on its way back to Apple. BUT ... just reading through the thread gives me a very confident impression that the OP is not being for real.

Ex, his original post was dated on Sept 8th saying he just got his new MP and noticed an issue. Then on Sept 9th he said that he already received his second MP and it has the same issue. How in the world can you already get a new MP in one day, or less than one day. Not possible, and he even said further down that he does not have an apple retail store near him so he would of had to order it online. It takes at minimum a week ot get a new 6-core out to you, they have to be custom built.

There were a few other reasons why I feel that way as well but dont feel the need to go into them. Sorry, just my opinion.
 
lbeck said:
I agree about QC issues with Apple, I had a hell of a time with my iPhone 4 and my new 27" iMac is on its way back to Apple. BUT ... just reading through the thread gives me a very confident impression that the OP is not being for real.

Ex, his original post was dated on Sept 8th saying he just got his new MP and noticed an issue. Then on Sept 9th he said that he already received his second MP and it has the same issue. How in the world can you already get a new MP in one day, or less than one day. Not possible, and he even said further down that he does not have an apple retail store near him so he would of had to order it online. It takes at minimum a week ot get a new 6-core out to you, they have to be custom built.

There were a few other reasons why I feel that way as well but dont feel the need to go into them. Sorry, just my opinion.
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It depends.. I actually got my replacement within 2 days, as they picked mine up 2 days before the new one was delivered. It did take about a week for it to be built though, yes.
 
lbeck said:
I agree about QC issues with Apple, I had a hell of a time with my iPhone 4 and my new 27" iMac is on its way back to Apple. BUT ... just reading through the thread gives me a very confident impression that the OP is not being for real.

Ex, his original post was dated on Sept 8th saying he just got his new MP and noticed an issue. Then on Sept 9th he said that he already received his second MP and it has the same issue. How in the world can you already get a new MP in one day, or less than one day. Not possible, and he even said further down that he does not have an apple retail store near him so he would of had to order it online. It takes at minimum a week ot get a new 6-core out to you, they have to be custom built.

There were a few other reasons why I feel that way as well but dont feel the need to go into them. Sorry, just my opinion.
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No need to start being paranoid or think that everyone having a Mac problem is not for real. I have no reason to just make stuff up like "hearing loud pops from the audio":rolleyes: yes i did receive a replacement (believe it or not but it has the exact same problem) and yes i did order it online. of course everyone's entitled to his/her opinion.

Maybe a small update on the subject (for those that think i'm not making up a story here) , a guy who knows quite allot about audio told me i could maybe try out using a "USB audio interface" he had one i could try out yo see if that would fix the problem (i used a tascam usb audio interface) and yes it did...no more Pops/cracks. Downside of the usb audio interface solution - i lose a usb port and the sound controle on the keyboard doesn't work anymore so i would always have to manually set the sound level on the amplifier.

Another problem is if the USB audio interface takes care of the problem then my guess is there is actually indeed a problem with either the sound card, audio connection or chipset...wright?
 
mr bojangles said:
yes i did receive a replacement (believe it or not but it has the exact same problem) and yes i did order it online.
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Wow, you got a 6-core replacement in one day? Thats incredible customer service.

Hope you get your problem resolved. I do doubt that you would get two bad MP's in a row, it has to be something within your setup.
 
I don't know to how many this applies, but here's my story:
I had the popping sound as well, and didn't really care. However, one day my external 2.1 speakers were off, and the pop still happened on startup. I then realized it had been coming out of my 24inch Cinema Display. I just unplugged the USB portion of the monitor, leaving only the miniDisplay port plugged in. Popping gone.
 
Hi, as I've mentioned before, I don't have this problem with my Mac Pro, but I did have pops and crackles in my speakers whenever some electronic devices are being turned on or off. I have invested in an APC "Line R" power conditioner and it has eliminated these crackles.
 
the 2contagious said:
Hi, as I've mentioned before, I don't have this problem with my Mac Pro, but I did have pops and crackles in my speakers whenever some electronic devices are being turned on or off. I have invested in an APC "Line R" power conditioner and it has eliminated these crackles.
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Thanks 2contagious

My problem is definitely related to the motor in the fridge in my office turning on and off. However the Mac Pro and the speakers are plugged into a 1200v UPS which in turn is plugged into a Tacima Mains Conditioner. The APC "Line R" power conditioner looks interesting but I'm just not sure where to put it or whether to spend more money :confused:
 
AdeFowler said:
Thanks 2contagious

My problem is definitely related to the motor in the fridge in my office turning on and off. However the Mac Pro and the speakers are plugged into a 1200v UPS which in turn is plugged into a Tacima Mains Conditioner. The APC "Line R" power conditioner looks interesting but I'm just not sure where to put it or whether to spend more money :confused:
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Are your speaker cables shielded? Obviously unshielded speaker cables will result in interference and possibly popping.

It's one of the peevs I have with my Logitech Z-5500... the cables that came with it aren't shielded - something I'll rectify one day (it's been a couple years since I purchased them so waiting some more ain't gonna hurt)
 
I've replaced the cable from the Mac Pro to the sub woofer with a shielded cable. The cables from the sub woofer to the satellite speakers are proprietary Altec Lancing cables but are quite substantial.
 
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