Hermes added, question


Hi, All,

 

Just a follow up on my thread last week about adding Hermes to my Pontus. All is connected and playing. I did do the left and right speaker check via Qobuz test tones and all are playing properly. I haven't sat for a critical listen yet as I want to give more burn in time. So whilst I'm not quite ready to give my impressions on any improvements, I did have a question.

 

I noticed on some tracks (not all) playing only when listening through my streamer (connected via USB running from Eversolo DMP-A6 Master into ADD-Powr Symphony In, then out from Symphony to Hermes USB In. Using I2S connecting between Pontus and Hermes. What I noticed is that on some tracks while streaming I detected some static/noise through mostly my right front speaker. I didn't notice this using Coax (CD player) or Optical (Brennan B2). Just on the streamer and again only certain tracks...

 

Any idea what could be causing this? Is the ADD-Powr possibly the culprit? The static/noise was never there before Hermes and I had ADD-Powr Symphony connected as above only direct to Pontus...Music still plays but on higher volume the noise is audible...

kingbr

Thanks @gkelly I always leave the Symphony on high setting. I have never switched it to low or medium. Are you thinking that maybe a low or medium might help?

I always leave mine on high as well. I just Remember working with a WIIM mini with a SCHITT modi DAC and when we would run it on higher bit rates would get pops at the beginning of a song had to lower it To a lower bit rate. That is where that idea came from. Sure hope it isn’t the symphony as I like Bill Stierhout and his philosophy on sound. Met him at the first Pacific auto Fest three years ago, was one of only a few vendors who had a product you could take home. An ElectraClear eau2. Also got a POWR bar, so I’m starting to build up my arsenal of ADD POWR.  

Yes on Hermes did you go into setup and then the 2 nd button from the end I believe optical hit the buttons until all 3 led go out then hit setup button again 

listen at low volume if thst doesnot work try with1st Odeon the other 2 LEDs out

I2S I pin out is not a standard  what brand cable 

95% are hdmi cables with 75% video cables in it ,Tubulus Audio the only true 

dedicated Solid core Silver Closest to air dielectric I2S cable are their digital cables are very good from the Argentus on up. 

@kingbr the crackling I had wasn’t a constant noise, it was intermittent, but I don’t remember it only being present on certain tracks, or all tracks.

For what it’s worth, I also use DH Labs Mirage USB between streamer and Iris DDC which has been fine. My HDMI link between Iris and Pontus 15th is an AQ Carbon

@gkelly Thank you! Good info. That is awesome you met Bill. He seemed great, answered every question/email right away!

 

@audioman58 Thank you for the info. I did set Hermes to 000. I never set Ontis as everything seemed to be playing fine and the test tones for left and right, and phase all seemed fine. I am using DH Labs 2.1 HDMI/I2S. This cable specified I2S on their website.

 

I think I’m going to try going direct with my USB to Hermes and bypassing ADD Symphony. See if that helps then go from there…

 

Thank you All for taking the time to respond. So hoping it’s just a fluky thing and maybe USB bypassing will work as I’ll still have my Ethernet cable going through Symphony…