2. digital
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What is going on here? Streamer or DAC?

I’ve got an old (2016) streamer DAC that is beginning to show some instability. I do not believe it is my signal strength—240+ mps, no problems streaming video, occurs wired or WiFi. Opinions? Here are the symptoms:

1. Maybe one track in four, starts with a skip or stutter.  If I restart the track, it starts fine. 
2. Maybe one every few weeks/months, gets stuck repeating one note sort of like a damaged record. When this happens, no control via remote or the unit itself. Have to unplug to get it to stop. Sometimes it self corrects when plugging back in, sometimes have to hard reset.

3. Maybe once every few weeks, will locate tracks on Qobuz but will not load and play them.  Works fine from NAS or internet radio. When this happens, sometimes can correct by re-acquiring WiFi, sometimes needs a hard reset. This might be associated with momentary power outages. 
 

4. maybe once in three-six months, just shuts down and restarts while playing. 
 

Comments?

 

tomaswv
fthompson251's avatar
fthompson251
304 posts
 

FWIW I had skipping, lags when I had a Cambridge CXN V2 into my Venus II DAC. When I switched to the Aurender N200 which cache's into internal memory that problem disappeared. 

flyfish77
40 posts
 

It does not make any difference if the issue with your current streamer/DAC is the streamer or the DAC part of the device. If the device is faulty, then it needs to be replaced or repaired.  If you really want to continue using your old device, you could try a different power supply.

Since 2016, streamers and streamer/DAC’s have improved a a lot.  You can certainly get better sound quality if you get a separate streamer and DAC. It important to note that there are plenty of new streamer/DAC’s that will sound better than your 2016 streamer/DAC, whatever that is.  There is nothing wrong with keeping things simple. Good luck finding your new streamer setup.

 

tomaswv OP
208 posts
 

The old unit is Cambridge 851n. I’ve been happy with the sound and the streammagic app. The new unit (in my second system) is Cambridge Evo 75. 
my main system is the 851n (with NAS attached) to a Bel Canto pre5 to Bel Canto 500m monoblocks to Dali Mentor 6 speakers.  No issues when streaming from the NAS.  I will use the Evo 75 a streamer to the 851 DAC and see if the problems go away. 

soix
8,774 posts
 

Follow up question — does the problem only occur when streaming Qobuz?

tomaswv OP
208 posts
 

The plot thickens.  Yes, only when streaming Qobuz, though that’s all I stream. Files from NAS play fine as does internet radio and audio from tv (optical in).  

thought I had a theory, now not so sure. 
 

hooked up the old streamer to the new DAC (not able to do it the other way round). Played 20-30 songs perfectly, no stutter start. Aha, says I, it is the DAC!  I then notice that the old streamer is no longer displaying album art (nor is the new one). Aha, it IS the DAC, unable to handle th le album art at the start of each song. I figure, the old streamer realizes there is a digital out so it’s doesn’t send the art. 

but then I decided to revert to original set up to prove the case. The art STILL doesn’t display, and everything works perfectly. Turn old streamer off and on, still no art. Unplug it plug it back in, art is back.  And, it seems to be working perfectly.  
 

so I’m confused. I unplugged it yesterday when it hung up and the art was back and the problems were back also. 
 

so I think the DAC can’t handle the input, but it seems to be doing so now. Will watch for next few days and report back. 

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