get a buzz when i run through my Mbox

maybe this is a question for a pro tools/m box forum, but long story short i run everything through my DJ mixer into my Mbox via an RCA to 1/4 converter, then out of the Mbox via a true 1/4 inch cable into my stereo reciever (which recieves RCA).

i was using a regular old headphone plug (like for a portable cd player) with some converters and i thought the cables were the problem... do i need some sort of phono pre-amp to quiet down the set up? anyone with an Mbox/protools run into the same problem?

one other thing, i used to use an M-Audio mobile-pre USB and it was dope because it would take over ALL sounds functions of my powerbook... so if i was done using my MPC and had already recorded into garage band or something, i could play back through my computer without having to plug into my computers headphone jack.....

this doesnt seem to be the case with the Mbox... so im running a SEPERATE cable into my reciever JUST for listening to music..... this seems stupid to me... is there something im missing?

unbalanced or balanced 1/4 inch jacks? That could be the problem.

im not quite sure. is there an easy way to find out?

chances are they are "unbalanced" if you just threw the system together but I could be wrong. Call a music place. The balanced jacks usually take care of all humms...

Again I could be wrong.

An unbalanced line uses one wire for the signal and another for the ground. Unlike balanced lines, unbalanced lines use the ground for signal return. In typical unbalanced cables, the ground is the cable shield.

Balanced audio is carried on a pair of wires, neither of which is grounded; the lines being driven with equal voltage, but each with opposite polarity.

If that helps.

ill give my music shop a ring and see if thats the culprit! thanks for the insight.