Why so much analogue?

Posted Feb 2, 2016 14:44 UTC (Tue) by MattJD (subscriber, #91390)
In reply to: Why so much analogue? by tialaramex
Parent article: Whole-house audio with free hardware and software

They probably run the amplified signal instead of digital to avoid spreading amplifiers (+ power distribution, which can affect the output) all over the house. I don't know building codes well enough to say for sure, but it probably isn't easy to stash amplifiers in ceilings either.

Also, while I agree running digital is better for as long as you can, analogue doesn't pick up that much interference with good (especially shielded) cables. And by good, I don't mean gold :). I dealt with large analogue sound system with multiple channel cables and low voltage signals, and so far I haven't had any interference issues because of that. As long as the installer avoids running all the cable next to large noise generators, it probably doesn't make any difference.

Why so much analogue?

Posted Feb 2, 2016 16:29 UTC (Tue) by daney (guest, #24551) [Link]

Analogue generally works fine as long as all the active components handling the low level signals share a common ground (mains socket). When running low level single-ended (non-differential pair) signals between rooms, Beware the ground loop! It can be nearly impossible to eliminate the 50/60Hz hum induced by the mains power wiring. Also, if you live in a location that experiences lightning storms, a nearby lightning strike can induce circuit destroying voltages if you have a design with ground/signal-wire loops in it.

Wired or optical Ethernet, or WiFi eliminate these types of issues.