Baffled and Frustrated: Streaming/DAC Sound Issues
Hoping to find some guidance here regarding a significant noise issue. Running Quboz through Roon. Relevant Gear is an Auralic Aries G2.1 > Morrow USB cable >Aavik D280 DAC > Wywires Platinum RCA >Anthem STR.
Previously had some issues with the Aries but that’s hammered out and sounding great. Now, when running many songs through the DAC, I’m hearing terrible “crunching” distortion. There’s very little consistency in the problem (loud Pink Floyd sounds great, loud Motley Crue sounds like garbage) except most hard rock/metal, which i started putting on per Morrow Audio’s recommendation for burning in their USB cable, is always terrible. Volume is irrelevant, I’m getting the noise at sub-30db. The 4 DAC settings: upsampling/ non upsampling/fast/slow don’t change anything. USB cable isn’t likely the problem, it sounds great from streamer to amp without the DAC. I’m running out of settings to change around. Anyone have an educated guess or experience with either the output settings from the Aries or D280 setup that can provide any guidance? Dealer wasn’t very helpful.
Thanks much,
Peter
@jerryg123 I have used the same USB cable for other connections with great success but haven’t tried another cable from Aries to Aavik. My recollection of the Morrow USB reference cable is it’s a solid core, small gauge, insulated wire. Haven’t tried anything with a clock/usb regen. |
Thank you all for the responses. Hopefully I’m getting back to all your questions. I’ve been traveling this past week so I’m a little behind on testing all suggestions/providing updates. @tony1954 My original issue with the Aries G2.1 was twofold: crappy initial USB cable and settings on the Aries that caused a dirty vinyl-like popping noise. Eventually found the secret-sauce to get good sound. The Aavik was added just after (intended to bring it all to another level but that has not yet worked out). Also, yes, I would be concerned that my DAC was simply boycotting crappy music if the issue only came up playing 80s hair-metal. Unfortunately, there are problems with numerous genres so I will need to address it. @phastm3 I’ve tried running with and without ARC (room correction) and the issue is identical @audioman58 Issue has been identical with two USB cables, only difference is one cable is much higher quality than the other. I’d be pretty surprised if this is a cable issue. @audphile1 same problem w/ w/o Roon and ARC room correct. I’ve been traveling so I haven’t been able to test out your suggestions regarding upsampling etc.. on the Aries. I’ll be testing that one I get back home this weekend. @wlutke I suspect you’re on the right track checking V rms (a term I needed to google). There might be a compatibility issue Aavik DAC to Anthem STR. The noise sounds like it’s “overloaded” creating significant distortion on some, but not all, tracks. @erik_squires thanks for the suggestion, I’ll try that out and report back |
