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T+A Dac 200 HDMI issues

I have a T+A DAC 200 and am having issues with the HDMI inputs which I am using for the first time.   The first issue is when I attempt  to play a two channel SACD from my Sony UDB-X700 Blu ray player I get  sound, but there is a very significant background static noise (crackling and hissing) coming from the speakers.  It is not a ground loop hum.   I have removed all other source connections to the DAC 200  and still get the noise.  I have tried multiple HDMI connectors and different power sources and I still get the noise.   I have the Sony player configured to output a DSD signal and that is shown in DAC 200 display as DSD 64.     If I configure the Sony player to output PCM, everything works fine with no static and the DAC 200 display shows PCM 176.   I would prefer to have the DSD work as opposed to using PCM.
 
The next issue I have happens  when playing a Blu Ray movie in two channel using the DAC 200 HDMI 1 or 2 (not using ARC) inputs.    Regardless of whether I select PCM or DSD output on the Sony player the DAC 200 displays “PCM Multi CH” when playing the movie.  It does not seem to get the two channel down mix from the Sony player even though I have selected stereo as the down mix option in the player settings.   This results in me hearing only  the front  left and right front channels from the surround mix so I am not getting the center channel  vocals in the mix.   I have tried many combination of DSD and PCM settings on the Sony player without any success.  
 
Any help would be appreciated on these issue.  Maybe a bad HDMI card?  Or maybe a bad player?
jrsub
jrsub OP
13 posts
 

Initial tests from T+A with their Sony player could not replicate the issue.  Further testing on my part points to an incompatibility issue between my Aurender N200 and the T+A DAC 200.   In a nutshell, if the Aurender is powered up and connected via USB to the DAC 200 when playing an SACD over HDMI from the Sony player I will get static.  However,  while playing the SACD and hearing static if I use the Conductor app on the Aurender and start playing any track, the noise while playing the SACD disappears.    Weird.

Regarding the issue  playing Blu Ray movies,  unless the movie has a two channel audio option or you have some player that can actually present a two channel feed (my Sony players don't) it can't be done.   I get that.

 

milpai's avatar
milpai
2,322 posts
 

I am not sure, if this will work or is something you can test. If you have a laptop that has a HDMI out, try connecting to the DAC 200, play some audio file or Youtube and see if you have the same issue. Just a thought.

jrsub OP
13 posts
 

Timely question,  in fact early this morning I removed the Aurender from my system and replaced it with a Mac Mini running Jriver over USB.  No issues with static when playing an SACD over HDMI.  

This morning I also tried using the Aurender with and without using an Intona USB isolator and also trying different USB cables.  Same issue with static.

The bottom line is that if the Aurender is powered up and connected via USB on the DAC 200 I get static when playing a SACD over HDMI as DSD64.   The static will  disappear if I then play any track on the Aurender while still playing the SACD with HDMI input selected on DAC 200   I will have no further static issues regardless of if I am playing a track or not playing a track from the Aurender.    I will not get the static again until the DAC 200 is shut down and turned back on. 

 

 

 

lordmelton's avatar
lordmelton
877 posts
 

You never mentioned you have an Aurender. The best solution is to rip your SACDs and store them on the Aurender’s hard drive.

I use an Oppo 103 with great results, although there are Sony players that can do this.

Once you figure it out it’s simple, 15-20mins to rip each SACD using the SONORE program.

Ag insider logo xs@2x
cleeds
5,658 posts
 

lordmelton

The best solution is to rip your SACDs and store them on the Aurender’s hard drive.

He probably won't be able to rip at full resolution, so that really isn't the "best" solution unless you define best as "most convenient."

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