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Onboard soundcard is quieter than external DAC, what's wrong here?

post #1 of 3
3/17/11 at 4:28am
Thread Starter 

So I just built a new computer and when I did I had to reposition my DAC (Music Fidelity V-DAC) because I used to sit it on top of my computer but now I have a 200mm fan that consumes all of the top of the case, thereby rendering it impossible to sit anything on top of it.

 

I get a hissing sound when nothing is playing with my DAC's input enabled on my Matrix M-Stage, however if I enable the onboard sound it's dead silent.  When I play music the hissing is there from the DAC as well. 

 

It may be worth noting that I am connected to my computer to DAC via usb, and DAC to Matrix M-Stage by a set of Audioquest Sidewinder RCAs.

 

What could be going on here?  Pretty much unacceptable from a $300 DAC :(

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post #2 of 3
3/17/11 at 10:08am
Have you tried a different USB cable? Might just be the cable that's damaged.
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post #3 of 3
3/20/11 at 6:33am

Did your V-DAC hiss before your fan upgrade?

 

What other new hardware did you get besides the fan?

 

If you didn't notice a hiss with the V-DAC before, it is safe to assume some new faulty hardware to your computer is polluting the computer psu and the usb port. If you can't find out which hardware is doing it, I would connect the V-DAC to another computer or transport, maybe even at another house, and seeing if the hiss is still there. If still is, switch up the rca cables and usb cable.

 

If none of these things stop the hiss then maybe there's an issue with the V-DAC.

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