Is the static present at very low volume? Or only after a certain volume level is reached?
HELP! Static with my Mac Mini / Ayre QB9 system
I just got my Ayre QB9 DSD upgrade back from Ayre. Couldn't wait to put it back in the system with my 2009 Mac Mini. Huge disappointment! I'm playing iTunes through Amarra and the static is unbearable! I've tried moving power cables and speaker cables around and nothing seems to affect the noise. I then took a different Mac Mini I use in the office (latest model... without Amarra installed) and just played iTunes direct to the Ayre QB9. The static was nearly completely gone, but there were still intermittent pops and clicks. Any ideas? Any and all suggestions more than welcome! Thanks!
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There is a similar discussion at the Computer Audiophile site/forum you may want to review. I would start with the USB Hub as the potential problem. It seems interesting the static occurred after getting the upgrade performed and not before. The Hub at the computer or Ayre could be the problem and least expensive to troubleshoot. Good luck resolving the issues. http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f8-general-forum/static-noise-28296/index2.html |
Found the problem! I replaced my $$$ Ridge Street Audio Poiema USB cable with an off-the-shelf USB cable and all static is gone! I didn't think a USB cable could go bad. And I really liked that cable! I guess Ridge Street Audio has gone out of business, because I can't find a website for them. So, next I have to decided on a new USB cable. Any suggestions? Thanks for everyone's input. Much appreciated! |
Thats great! I had the original Ayre QB9 (non-DSD) and the Ridge Street Audio Poiema USB cable, along with several others. I never liked the cable compared to the Transparent Performance USB and a couple of others I tried. Did enjoy the Hi Rez Disk Ridge Street sent with the cable though. Have demoed numerous USB cables and in my system the Audioqest Carbon has sounded the best. That included a comparison to the much more expensive Diamond....go figure. also used the Wireworld Starlight 7, Total DAC and others. they do sound different to my ears....enjoy the search. |
CDM, Take a look at this when you get a chance. There seems to be agreement that an effective USB cable must have an impedance of 90 Ohms. They indicate comments made by Gordon Rankin who founded Wavelength Audio and help design the Ayre QB9. http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f8-general-forum/gordon-rankin-says-im-wrong-about-universal-seria... |
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