Staticky noise when music paused


Hello

 

I have a computer, using usb into dac, into powered compuer speakers (one system)...I have a 100$ dac, which uses some flimsy cord as a power cord and a 10 000$ dac. When i pause the music and turn the volume up on my powered computer speakers, when using cheapo dac there’s a staticky noise coming speakers only when internal amp turned way up and only heard within a feet or two. With the expensive dac, same noise is way more apparent even before the volume on the speakers is anywhere close to the max (thought it would be gone altogether)...shouldn’t it be the other way around?

branislav

Analogue from the DAC to the speakers with RCAs?
or a digital connection to the speakers using <what>?

What you are saying is, the expensive DAC has way better resolution than the inexpensive one, correct?

Gregm - that may be the case that I'm hearing more noise from the computer. I just don't remember hearing as much noise through previous well regarded dac (using rca's). Interestingly enough, xlr interconnects are feeding eletrostatic amp and even turned all the way up, I don't hear a thing (when music is paused, of course). 

Unless some noise from the computer is an issue usually it's a gain mismatch that causes audible hiss. An attenuator might help with this issue, it will drop the noise floor.