DAC compatibility


Hi all. I'm encountering a problem that does not have a satisfactory solution. I own a BSN 130 which functions fine using the internal dac. I recently acquired a Topping D90 MQA DAC to receive the USB out of the BSN. I get a lot skips when playing MQA files. Otherwise it seems fine. However, my macbook seems to like the D90--no issues playing back MQA streams via Roon, BluOS, Tidal.

Based on what I've read about this issue, the solution inevitably becomes: use optical or digital coax or don't play MQA. Topping blames BSN and vice versa. That drives me nuts.

Now, I read something interesting about BSN UBS: it doesn't love 'desktop' DACs because of its unique linux USB architecture. Also, desktop dacs only like CPU/laptop USB. 

It may be a Topping specific issue. I swapped in a Dac magic 200 and all was fine. How do I sort this out? Is there any truth to the USB compatibility argument? 

I am considering going to an integrated dac/streamer. 

Thanks in advance for any input or solutions. 

tee_dee

Showing 1 response by 2psyop

If you can play MQA files (songs) directly from the Node and compare them to MQA files (songs) sent to the Topping DAC via optical or digital coax and the songs sound better with the Topping I would not stress out about the USB connection. I don’t use it, I use digital coax and get great sound. Just a thought...