Buzzing Sound

When I plug my headphones into my iMac Core Duo, I hear a buzzing sound.

Not very loud—but if I plug the same headphones into an iBook or iMac G4, I hear no such buzzing.

I believe the headphones are pretty low impedence—they pick up the problem with the iPod Photo's headphone out.

Does the audio just suck on the iMac Core Duo?

Perhaps Apple messed up?
Mine does no such thing!
Mine is a PPC, however.
I tell you the bugs those Intel Macs will have.

DCraver said:

Perhaps Apple messed up?
Mine does no such thing!
Mine is a PPC, however.
I tell you the bugs those Intel Macs will have.

Click to expand...

It wouldn't have anything to do witht he processor, it would the be the audio. The sound card is probably the issue, and as far as I can tell, there shouldn't be a difference.

You should call Apple or check out the Apple Store if there's one nearby.

All I can say is on my iMac G5 2.1 GhZ with iSight, I plugged in my iPod Buds and no matter what I did heard no hiss or buzz.

The Intel CPU, like was already stated, has nothing to do with it. Sounds like a loose ground or poor layout in the audio circuits. Is the buzz loud? Do you have to strain with the volume all the way up to hear it?

Try turning the master volume all the way down. Does it go away? Try also turning down the Microphone level in the System Preferences, Sound, Try switching from Mic to Line input. Does any of that affect the buzz?

Actually it fluctuates slowly between a buzz and a high-pitched whine. Changing the volume does not affect it; nor does switching the line in device.

A fellow on another forum recommended I unplug all peripherals.

As it turns out, the Mighty Mouse is causing the issue. This also explains why the noise fluctuates, seemingly arbitrarily, between a buzz and a high-pitched whine: whenever I move the mouse, the noise changes, presumably due to how fast the optical senser is taking frames.

...which isn't good. I like my Mighty Mouse.