Digital "Crispies" and the ART di/o


I was listening to Glenn Gould playing Bach Goldberg Variations (1981 recording - Sony Digital) the other night, through an Arcam Alpha 7 and ART di/o DAC and on track 17 I noticed this static, "crispy" noise along with the piano notes. Maybe it's the dac, I thought, so I hooked up the preamp to the analog out of the Arcam, and the crispies weren't there. Neither was the soundstage, and alot of timbral detail. My question: are the crispies digital dust in this recording that the ARCAM DAC did not reveal (I've only heard them on 2 tracks), or could they be lack of power in the ART di/o (I'm using the wall wart power supply that came with it), or maybe my new speakers (thiel 1.6) breaking in.

Thoughts?

Thanks!
robertd

Showing 1 response by cjr888

I've heard this in ART DI/O units, but haven't been able to pin it down and haven't had the chance to ask around as you are. I would notice it only on specific tracks, and it appears to be towards higher frequencies when it shows up.

My question to you, do you notice it more or less at different ART settings? (ex. X2, vs internal lock, vs external lock)

Secondly -- When you're looking at the front lights, does your lock light go on and off through a track alot? Do you find that your red light, the one I believe is actually for A/D, goes red a lot?

I know there is a DIOMODS group on Yahoo that I've yet to look into, you might want to inquire there -- plenty of folks that know the product in and out.

I think this was asked already, but is your unit modified at all?

If you do get an answer outside of these boards, please drop an email!