Problem with DAC-1 and Delta 66.

RyanR · 24th January 2004, 12:34 AM

So I got my DAC-1 not too long ago, and as my 1st real D/A converter I couldn't be happier. I have the the signal coming out my M-Audio Delta 66 via SPDIF into the DAC-1 coaxial on a Hosa SPDIF cable.

I'm sitting here listening to an mp3 (through Windows media player) and getting skips in the audio and I noticed the skips are right in time with the error light on the DAC-1 coming on. What gives?

I just tried playing .wav files and the same happens. SR is 44.1 out of the Delta66 & it happens both with the SPDIF output as Consumer and Professional.

I plan to replace the soundcard and cables. What would be a good cable brand/type to get to run into the SPDIF? Also, do you think it could be due to the Delta 66?

Little help please . . .

atticus · 24th January 2004, 12:45 AM

Ryan,

Do you have another digital source to feed the DAC1, like a CD player or something? If so please try that. the DAC1 will only show it's error light when it is recieving a very problematic signal so if you could try to independently test the DAC1 we could probably narrow it down. I would suspect that your issue is coming from the Delta66 or perhaps it's driver but please do test the DAC1 just to be sure. Thanks!

RyanR · 24th January 2004, 12:53 AM

Thanks a lot for the quick reply. I will do a test tonight or tomorrow with another source.

Also, I just re-installed my OS - and therefore have the latest Delta 66 drivers installed.

RyanR · 24th January 2004, 01:48 AM

Alright, I just noticed something weird. Here is what I have right now:

The DAC-1, 3 synths, and a Mackie mixer connected to a Furman PL-Plus power conditioner (we'll call it #1). All synths & the mixers power switch are left off, leaving only the DAC-1 to power up when the PL-Plus #1 is switched on.

My (active) monitors connected to another Furman PL-Plus power conditioner (we'll call it #2). I received this PL-Plus yesterday off an ebay transaction.

#1 and #2 are connected to different outlets. When both are powered on and I turn on the lights on #2 and grab one of them (either one), the DAC-1 error light goes crazy. (WTF?)

I guess the PL-Plus I got off ebay is somehow causing the problem, but this makes no sense to me - #2 connects to a different power outlet than my computer and #1, and only has my monitors connected to it. My computer sits under it about 4 feet. So the only way the DAC-1 and #2 are even remotely linked are from the monitors - whose power comes from #2 and the audio comes from the DAC-1 (whose power comes from #1).

Sitting here I just noticed that the error light flashes (although much less frequent) when #2 is powered off and nothing is playing (The only thing open on my computer right now is this web page). Strange - but thinking about it, I did have my monitors connected to #1 before yesterday and everything was fine. One reason I got #2 was so I could switch my monitors on/off quickly and still use the headphone output of the DAC-1. I will do more tests taking #2 out of the loop, but does anyone know why the PL-Plus is making a difference here?

Sorry for the long post, but I find this pretty crazy.

RyanR · 24th January 2004, 01:58 AM

I unplugged #2 from above - now all I have is the DAC-1 connected to a PL-Plus with nothing else turned on (except my computer, 2 monitors, and lava lamp connected to a different power strip that is plugged into the same outlet as the PL-Plus). The error light is still flashing randomly.

Will do some more tests later.

Teacher · 24th January 2004, 05:00 PM

ryan the dac-1 is JUNK!!!!! you ain't know??

sell it to me!

RyanR · 24th January 2004, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Teacher
sell it to me!

Sure - how about, hmm, $1200?

RyanR · 24th January 2004, 11:31 PM

Late last night I hooked everything back up to my original PL-Plus and unplugged the Hosa SPDIF cable, blasted the end with compressed air, then reconnected it. I haven't had the error light come on once since!

I'm positive the SPDIF cable was plugged in before the same exact way it is now, so I'm still not exactly sure what's going on. Bad Cable? Faulty digital out on the Delta 66? Wierd problems adding another PL-Plus to the mix? Good news is I really don't think it's the DAC-1 and the soundcard & cable are due to get replaced anyway.

I'm still gonna try a few more things, but for now, reseating the cable seems to have solved the problem - just goes to show how important cables really are. (FU Hosa!)

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24th January 2004, 05:00 PM	#6
Teacher Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NY Posts: 1,769	ryan the dac-1 is JUNK!!!!! you ain't know?? sell it to me! __________________ "I hate it when they tell us how far we came to be, as if our people's history started with slavery...." Immortal Technique www.sicbeats.com

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24th January 2004, 12:34 AM	#1
RyanR Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver Posts: 194	Problem with DAC-1 and Delta 66. So I got my DAC-1 not too long ago, and as my 1st real D/A converter I couldn't be happier. I have the the signal coming out my M-Audio Delta 66 via SPDIF into the DAC-1 coaxial on a Hosa SPDIF cable. I'm sitting here listening to an mp3 (through Windows media player) and getting skips in the audio and I noticed the skips are right in time with the error light on the DAC-1 coming on. What gives? I just tried playing .wav files and the same happens. SR is 44.1 out of the Delta66 & it happens both with the SPDIF output as Consumer and Professional. I plan to replace the soundcard and cables. What would be a good cable brand/type to get to run into the SPDIF? Also, do you think it could be due to the Delta 66? Little help please . . .

24th January 2004, 12:45 AM	#2
atticus Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,524	Ryan, Do you have another digital source to feed the DAC1, like a CD player or something? If so please try that. the DAC1 will only show it's error light when it is recieving a very problematic signal so if you could try to independently test the DAC1 we could probably narrow it down. I would suspect that your issue is coming from the Delta66 or perhaps it's driver but please do test the DAC1 just to be sure. Thanks! __________________ David Seymour Mytek Digital Analog Audio Works 330-354-1576 www.mytekdigital.com http://analogaudioworks.com/

24th January 2004, 12:53 AM	#3
RyanR Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver Posts: 194	Thanks a lot for the quick reply. I will do a test tonight or tomorrow with another source. Also, I just re-installed my OS - and therefore have the latest Delta 66 drivers installed.

24th January 2004, 01:48 AM	#4
RyanR Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver Posts: 194	Alright, I just noticed something weird. Here is what I have right now: The DAC-1, 3 synths, and a Mackie mixer connected to a Furman PL-Plus power conditioner (we'll call it #1). All synths & the mixers power switch are left off, leaving only the DAC-1 to power up when the PL-Plus #1 is switched on. My (active) monitors connected to another Furman PL-Plus power conditioner (we'll call it #2). I received this PL-Plus yesterday off an ebay transaction. #1 and #2 are connected to different outlets. When both are powered on and I turn on the lights on #2 and grab one of them (either one), the DAC-1 error light goes crazy. (WTF?) I guess the PL-Plus I got off ebay is somehow causing the problem, but this makes no sense to me - #2 connects to a different power outlet than my computer and #1, and only has my monitors connected to it. My computer sits under it about 4 feet. So the only way the DAC-1 and #2 are even remotely linked are from the monitors - whose power comes from #2 and the audio comes from the DAC-1 (whose power comes from #1). Sitting here I just noticed that the error light flashes (although much less frequent) when #2 is powered off and nothing is playing (The only thing open on my computer right now is this web page). Strange - but thinking about it, I did have my monitors connected to #1 before yesterday and everything was fine. One reason I got #2 was so I could switch my monitors on/off quickly and still use the headphone output of the DAC-1. I will do more tests taking #2 out of the loop, but does anyone know why the PL-Plus is making a difference here? Sorry for the long post, but I find this pretty crazy.

24th January 2004, 01:58 AM	#5
RyanR Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver Posts: 194	I unplugged #2 from above - now all I have is the DAC-1 connected to a PL-Plus with nothing else turned on (except my computer, 2 monitors, and lava lamp connected to a different power strip that is plugged into the same outlet as the PL-Plus). The error light is still flashing randomly. Will do some more tests later.

24th January 2004, 11:31 PM	#8
RyanR Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver Posts: 194	Late last night I hooked everything back up to my original PL-Plus and unplugged the Hosa SPDIF cable, blasted the end with compressed air, then reconnected it. I haven't had the error light come on once since! I'm positive the SPDIF cable was plugged in before the same exact way it is now, so I'm still not exactly sure what's going on. Bad Cable? Faulty digital out on the Delta 66? Wierd problems adding another PL-Plus to the mix? Good news is I really don't think it's the DAC-1 and the soundcard & cable are due to get replaced anyway. I'm still gonna try a few more things, but for now, reseating the cable seems to have solved the problem - just goes to show how important cables really are. (FU Hosa!)