Paul E Condon wrote: > long adapter cable (>~100ft). The cable would be carrying analog signal.
Unbalanced signals, such as might be found on computer sound card 1/8" TRS jacks and audio equipment RCA jacks, are susceptible to common-mode noise and ground loops. If your computer sound card line out jack and your pre-amplifier/ receiver line input jacks are grounded to your electrical power distribution system, directly or indirectly (e.g. 3-prong power cable to anything connected to either), connecting your computer to your audio gear will create a large single-turn transformer with your equipment and house as the core. Induced currents would result in common-mode noise; you might hear your electrical appliances through your audio system. (I was able to hear my refrigerator switching on and off in one apartment; I can see my garbage disposal operating in my current house.) Electrical system ground faults, arc welding, etc., could damage your audio gear and/or computer. Balanced signals are designed to reject common-mode noise. I've sent line-level public address signals from a mixer to a series of amplified loudspeakers using ~800 ft. of XLR cables with no perceived loss in quality. Isolation transformers can connect balanced and/or unbalanced systems, and break ground loops. (Good direct boxes incorporate a transformer and include a "ground lift" switch.) The fast, cheap answer is to buy 100+ ft. of twisted, shielded pair (TSP) cable, run it, make up the ends, and take a listen. Adding load resistors at the audio end might reduce common-mode noise (observe sound card line out load impedance specifications). If it sounds okay, tape/ staple down the cable and you're done. Two 100+ ft. cables would give you less cross talk. Two isolation transformers/ direct boxes and two cables would be a reasonable best effort. That said, I still think you'd be better off with an HTPC (with wireless networking). HTH, David -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org