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Just got a new DAC (HRT MusicStreamer II), and noticing pops in the audio.

post #1 of 40
1/6/11 at 11:09pm
Thread Starter 

I received the HRT MusicStreamer II yesterday, and I've noticed pops coming through the audio.  I didn't have this problem with my uDAC.  Is it something to do with the asynchronous feature?  Do I need a different USB cable (I used the spare one from my Fiio E9 amp)?  I'm kind of green regarding DACs.  Any help would be appreciated.

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post #2 of 40
1/7/11 at 12:38am

What music player are you using? did you try to lower the the buffer?

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post #3 of 40
1/7/11 at 6:19am

Are you using this on a Mac or PC?

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post #4 of 40
1/7/11 at 8:42am
Thread Starter 

I'm running the latest version of iTunes from my HP Pavilion desktop.  The computer's fairly new (quad core processor, 6 gigs of RAM).  Not sure what the buffer is or how to lower it.  There are six different lights that can show up on the back of the MS, and the one that indicates 44k 1 is lit up (other options are 32k, 48k, 88k 2, 96k, and MUTE).

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post #5 of 40
1/7/11 at 10:59am
Thread Starter 

I went into settings and changed it from 44k 1 to 48k.  This appears to have solved the problem.  Is that the buffer?

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post #6 of 40
1/7/11 at 12:14pm

That's the sampling rate. CD quality music is at 44.1 kHz and 16 bits. Your OS (I assume it's Windows) can resample the audio signal to a different rate before sending it to the DAC. That's probably what's happening now after you changed the settings to 48k.

 

The buffer is a separate thing. It's used by the audio driver to temporarily store the audio data before sending it out to the DAC. The music player software may also have its own buffer, though I think in iTunes there isn't any user setting to change that (there is a streaming buffer setting, but that's different).

 

Did you have to install a special driver for the HRT Streamer?

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post #7 of 40
1/7/11 at 12:17pm
Thread Starter 

The MS II software installed itself immediately upon connection to the computer.  I do have Windows.  Will changing the sampling rate screw with my ability to rip CDs?

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post #8 of 40
1/7/11 at 1:03pm

No, the playback sampling rate will not affect CD ripping.

 

Maybe you could edit the thread title to say HRT MusicStreamer II+ in it so other users will notice it more easily. I have no experience with this DAC and it sounds like it has its own special drivers.

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post #9 of 40
1/7/11 at 1:04pm
Thread Starter 

Will do.  But it's only the MS II, not the MS II+; that one is $200 more.

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post #10 of 40
1/7/11 at 1:06pm
Thread Starter 

During a brief comparison between it and the uDAC (my first DAC, which is now sold), I was hard-pressed to hear a difference between the two.  The MS II *maybe* made things a bit tighter, but I can't say for sure.

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post #11 of 40
1/7/11 at 5:51pm
Thread Starter 

Scratch that.  Still getting popping.

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post #12 of 40
1/7/11 at 6:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marximus View Post

I'm running the latest version of iTunes from my HP Pavilion desktop.  The computer's fairly new (quad core processor, 6 gigs of RAM).  Not sure what the buffer is or how to lower it.  There are six different lights that can show up on the back of the MS, and the one that indicates 44k 1 is lit up (other options are 32k, 48k, 88k 2, 96k, and MUTE).



I'd recommend that you dump itunes and get foobar with asio4all or WASAPI if you're using W7.

 

Also not sure what you mean by popping?  If you're referring to buffering, raise the buffer.

 

USG

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post #13 of 40
1/7/11 at 6:12pm
Thread Starter 

I've got everything running through iTunes:  music, apps, etc.  It'd be a bear to transfer everything over.  Not sure what you mean by buffer:).  It sounds like clicks and pops coming through my headphones, a problem I didn't have with my uDAC.  How do you raise the buffer?

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post #14 of 40
1/7/11 at 11:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marximus View Post

I've got everything running through iTunes:  music, apps, etc.  It'd be a bear to transfer everything over.  Not sure what you mean by buffer:).  It sounds like clicks and pops coming through my headphones, a problem I didn't have with my uDAC.  How do you raise the buffer?



I don't use itunes, or more aptly stated, I refuse to use itunes..... eek.gif    So I don't have a clue how to raise the buffer.  confused_face_2.gif

 

On the other hand, you could easily show foobar where your music library is ......  so there wouldn't be anything to transfer over.

 

foobar media lib .jpg

 

When you say apps, do you mean your source is an ipod or is your music in a folder on your HD?  Btw, what else do you need itunes for?

 

USG

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post #15 of 40
1/8/11 at 7:44am

OP, are you running the HRT of a separate powered USB hub or running out of a USB port on your PC?  If the latter, try using a powered USB hub instead; that should do the trick.  This is a known issue.

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