After upgrading from Leopard to Snow on my Mac Pro Tower, I now hear a high pitched whine from my speakers when running any audio app, like Itunes or Peak Pro. My audio output is thru the USB, to a Digital Analog Converter (an Aeolus Audio "MagiDAC"), which is then connected to a Yamaha stereo receiver and speakers). Pressing a key on the wired keyboard activates the sound. It is low in volume. I connected another stereo and still hear this sound, so it isn't my peripherals. I've tried using the other USB connection outputs, disconnected the wireless mouse (to eliminate RF from the mouse transmitter) to no avail.
Connecting my audio out thru the old fashioned 1/8" analog plug eliminates this sound. So it is somehow related to USB. I've also moved AC plugs around, although it doesn't sound like 60 cycle hum ( too high pitched), in case it was a ground loop. I would use the 1/8" analog outs, but the USB output thru the DAC sounds better. Help, and thanks in advance!
Mac Pro Tower 3,1,
Mac OS X (10.6.2),
2 x 2.8 GHZ quad-core xenon, 4 gigs RAM
Do you have any other USB devices connected? I had a similar audio problem when I also had an HP printer plugged in. Disconnecting the printer USB connector eliminated the symptom. Unplugging the AC from the printer also had the same affect. It was a power ground-loop between my audio device (m-audio FAST USB) and the printer.
Does your computer have digital out via that same port? If your DAC has Toslink in, you might grab an optical cable, and adapter for the computer end, and try using that source instead. Works for me.
I'm a muso with an iMac running external KRK speakers via USB Mbox2. Previously I had a Macbook Pro exhibiting the same audio problem as iMac. I've been putting up with a very low volume, high pitch noise until now. I simply plugged the Mac power cord into a universal travel adapter which then goes into the wall. For Aussie users there is an adapter on ebay that will allow a 3 pin Aussie plug to go into female side and has a two pin Aussie male on the other. For US users you can probably get the same although there is a 59c product that will do the trick called a ground lift adapter. Applecare actually agreed this was the best fix and confirmed there would be no problems with power supply or Mac performance. What a gem ! God knows I've looked into all kinds of alternatives that could have cost hundreds instead of under $5.