If you have a voltmeter here’s a test you can do:
Check the Denafrips for DC on the output. If you are using the single ended RCA then measure the voltage from the center to the outer shell. For balanced XLR measure pin 2 to 1 and 3 to 1. Check both channels. All should be near zero. If you find any significant voltage then the Denafrips could be the problem.
Most tube preamps have no DC blocking capacitor and connect the input directly to the triode grid that is grounded through a resistor. A significant voltage messes with the tube bias (idle current). On their website Backert Labs describes using an automatic bias circuit that might be affected by an input DC voltage offset (deviance from zero).
I’m just speculating, of course.
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Pdspieel,
Thanks for the reply. Should this test be done with the DAC seeing an input signal or no input signal? I just tested the voltage with no signal and both RCA’s have zero voltage.
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I can fix physical, but not electrical things, so I would get rid of the DAC the best way possible, i.e. back to the source if you can. no reason to take a chance IME.
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For the DAC to be the cause, something intermittent and very strong affecting both channels would have to be the cause. I don’t have any idea what that would be, but my guess is that this is an unlikely event. Most likely is something wrong in the linestage power supply and the DAC switch is purely coincidental. Coincidental failures are the most frustrating because one is thrown off track in making a diagnosis.
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Elliottbnewcombjr-
I like the Denafrips but I am like you and will probably return it.
ianx003
I agree that the Wiim pro is the weakest link. The “itch that I was “scratching” was to improve my digital input. I picked up the Wiim on Amazon and will be retuning it.
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larryi,
Indeed, intermittent problems are the worst. I would like to think that the preamp was the issue because what little I heard of the Denafrips I liked.
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You should have consulted me as the Denafrips sales rep
the New Pontus 15 are what was the Venus 12 with upgrades for $1300 less then last year , look at the Venus now in a Bigger case 42 lbs- now the Terminator !!
Not trying to be pushy but all New Denafrips are one step up in models for no added costs and on sale. do you have another dac you can borrow ? How old was the dac normally these dacs are very robust.
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If you can, talk to manufacturers of both components. The Backert Labs folks should be able to tell what was the likely cause of the damage to its component. At high fi shows, their folks seem to be quite frank and forthcoming.
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audioman58-
I do not know the age of the Pontius DAC I have. Since it is a 12th version I would think not too old. I have sent an email to Denafrips asking for the date of manufacture. I know there is a software fix that might address the popping problem but if the unit is too old the unit will not update with the new software.
You spoke of the newer units being on sale, do the newer units still have the popping issue?
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First of all the Dac has the the firmware 1.4 and was shipped from Vinshine October of 2023. The DAC has no issues. The OP has verified it working with his PS Audio preamp. If something happened to his other preamp Im pretty sure it wasnt the DAC’S fault. I have used it with tube and solid state preamps with no issues. I have never come across anywhere else that a Denafrips dac has damaged a preamp or any other device. Please return the dac to.me like I offered.
Thanks
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Hi, did you touch the Pontus when the pop happened, I think there is something in the way the Pontus is wired that static hits it, mostly in the winter time. I had the same problem, there was a definite pop and it originated from the Pontus.
I read others have experienced this also. I jumped up and shut down the amp and some of the system shut down on its own. I’ve never seen anything like this before.
I ended up running a ground to touch if I was going to touch the Pontus.I don’t use the ground in warmer weather, sounds crazy but that’s what I did. The Pontus is gone now but a nice dac for the money.
I also posted on Audiogon what the hell that pop was, good luck with your search. I would contact Denafrips and ask about static and the ground.
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Be sure and let us know what happens no matter how long it takes…
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Reading about your problem made me think back to my problems with tube gear. I had a Primaluna EVO 400 amp and preamp and it would pop, blow fuses, tubes would short out at random times….always a problem until I went cold turkey and sold all of it…now with no amp or preamp I went with Pass Labs preamp and amp, solid state…no problems now for 6 months….and I have the Denafrips Venus 12th anniversary, at first the WIIM pro as a streamer until I upgraded…I am a firm believer in getting the preamp and amp from the same manufacturer….maybe get a Classe preamp,to match your amp…
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2Tuby, you did the test right. There is no DC offset voltage on the Denafrips outputs so that is NOT the source of the problem. At least that is ruled out.
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Measuring DC offset does not rule out an intermittent failure like a large buildup of charge that is discharged as a large pulse characterized as a “pop.” But, I have not heard of such pulse damaging a tube linestage. I think Backert Labs will be best in position to say what caused the problem.
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Paulcreed-
Was not near my system when it popped.
Where did you run your winter ground line?
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Silverfoxvtx1800, et.al.-
I purchased the Denafrips DAC from a USAudiomart seller. When I contacted him about the problem he Iimmediately offered to refund the purchase price.
I started this discussion because I liked the DAC and really did not know if the DAC caused the problem of if the preamp just died. I purchased the DAC on 12/24 and felt it was unfair of me to not make a decision today. In that time I have used the Denafrips DAC in two configurations in my system and have had no issues. I have also been influenced by all of you who responded.
To my ears I prefer the sound of the Denafrips to the PSAudio so I have decided to keep the Denafrips preamp. I have contacted the seller (thank you) and will contact Backert Labs and move on from there.
To all who responded to my post, I thank you.
2tuby
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2tuby….
I am 71 and have had a lot of gear…being I have very efficient speakers, first it was Klipsch Heritage, now Volti audio speakers. Every where I went, forums, talking to people…everyone’s advice…get tube amps for these speakers. I fell hard into that rabbit hole, spent a lot on tubes and tube amps and from day one it was the wrong trail to be on..sure some people have no problems but they will have tube problems some day. My advice get away from tubes in your system, I found the best sound with solid state…at least with my system…the Pass Labs Preamp and the Pass Labs XA-25 amp and the best amp with my system is the First Watt Sit-4…life without tubes is possible….
Get rid of that preamp when you get it back, go with a Classe preamp or start over with some other solid state brand..
Pass Labs XP-12 preamp
First Watt Sit-4 amplifier
Denafrips Venus 12th anniversary dac
Magna Hifi Mano ULTRA MkIII with separate Farad power supply streamer..the best I have ever had from the Netherlands…
Volti Audio Razz speakers
the best sound I have ever had period….
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Silverfoxvtx1800
I’m 73 and thinking it is time to change as well. Solid state and integrated.
Is the end of your handle the Honda?
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I had a similar story with my VAC tube preamp and amp. I was the original owner for 25 years. They sat for quite some time before I came back to audio. I got them both repaired at VAC in Sarasota, and both units were down more than operational for 1.5 years. I sold them and got solid state-no regrets either.
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2tuby
If you go all solid state what’s your budget…it’s now or never…
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@evank why do the Denafrips dacs seem to have a static discharge problem?
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I was advised by Denafrips to touch the dac chassis with one hand before touching the buttons with the other hand. I’m guessing to ground the dac. I found that odd. I don’t know if the static charge can damage a preamp but they are connected with interconnects. It could be possible if the charge is looking for a grounding point.
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I have finally solved the problem I’ve been having with the low frequency low volume sound coming out of my speakers. After spending several hours over several days of switching in and out components, the culprit was my WiFi extender/network switch. When I unplugged the extender the problem was solved. The Denafrips Pontius DAC paired with the Backert Labs preamp must have little enough shielding and high enough gain to amplify the RF noise from the extender. Now I know! lol! Thanks for all your replies.
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