Hey guys, I get a bit of noise using my aux connection to a Sirius radio. Not bad, just annoying. What I would like to do is replace the cable between the radio and the aux port with a high quality shielded cable. Having a bit of trouble finding a short one though. Anyone know a good source? The aux plug is 1/8", right?

Don't bother, it won't fix the problem. The noise is being injected elsewhere, probably the power going into the Sirius device.

I thought so too but it changes if I fiddle with the aux plug.

I thought so too but it changes if I fiddle with the aux plug.

Then its the jack that's broken. This is common, as people abuse devices that are plugged in and device makers have gone super cheap and don't properly secure ports.

My XM had a bunch of background noise when I first hooked it up. After playing with it for a while, then breaking down and reading the manual, I learned that I had to "turn off" the FM transmiter. Sorry for the lack of technical term, but once I disabled the Fm transmitter functionality, the noise went away.

Question, does the background noise change in pitch with changes in RPM?

My XM had a bunch of background noise when I first hooked it up. After playing with it for a while, then breaking down and reading the manual, I learned that I had to "turn off" the FM transmiter. Sorry for the lack of technical term, but once I disabled the Fm transmitter functionality, the noise went away.

Question, does the background noise change in pitch with changes in RPM?

Yea, I've already turned off the FM part.

There's 2 types of noise, one is standard alternator whine which does change with RPM; the other is just a slight occasional pop or crackle type noise. That noise can be made by turning the cable on either end (which is why I think a top quality cable would make a difference).

My experience has been that if you get RPM whine, you have a corrupted power source. Are you using the Cigarette lighter adapter for power?

My experience has been that if you get RPM whine, you have a corrupted power source. Are you using the Cigarette lighter adapter for power?

That's usually the case... Its a crappy unfiltered DC-DC power supply (cig lighter power cable). If you can turn the cable and create cracks and pops, its due to the jack, not the cable. You're wasting your money otherwise.

Scoshe (sp?) makes a nice cable. I picked two of them up in the automotive section of Target for $10. One is hooked up to the XM and tucked up under the radio and the other is for the Ipod. YES it CAN be the cable. My wife was using one and it was fine one time then starting making weird noises. We played with the cable and it was still noisy. It was a cheap cable. Bought a the Scoshe and the noise went away and it sounds great.

Thanks. Seems that changing the cable is worth a try since they aren't spendy for short ones.

This one is like 18" I think. I would have liked something shorter yet but this was the cheapest I found a short decent cable.

Thanks, I'll check my local Target.

You are getting alternator whine with the aux port? That shouldn't be happening I don't think, issue with the grounding maybe?

You are getting alternator whine with the aux port? That shouldn't be happening I don't think, issue with the grounding maybe?

Yea, could be. I need to dig in and see how it is grounded (stereo shop did the install). The alternator noise is barely noticeable so is not my biggest worry just now.

I changed the aux cable to a better quality cable, a Scoshe (Thanks GetGone!) and put a ground loop eliminator ( http://www.crutchfield.com/S-45ITo3yAYpD/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?I=127SNI135 ) in. The whine is totally gone, loudness is much better, and sound quality much improved. The whole thing cost me about $40 including next day shipping.

I changed the aux cable to a better quality cable, a Scoshe (Thanks GetGone!) and put a ground loop eliminator ( http://www.crutchfield.com/S-45ITo3yAYpD/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?I=127SNI135 ) in. The whine is totally gone, loudness is much better, and sound quality much improved. The whole thing cost me about $40 including next day shipping.

I'm using one from BestBuy that's pretty nice (Belkin) I believe which is made for the old style (2G) iPhones and it works VERY well too. I have no ground loop eliminator but also no whine though. :)

Mine is pretty much perfect since I did those things.

Mine is pretty much perfect since I did those things.

That's what counts! :)

I don't have the stock aux cable but he Belkin one I bought is pretty big around and nice and long.:)