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How do I fix this problem with my dac?

post #1 of 10
1/11/12 at 8:00am
Thread Starter 

I just got a StageDAC, it's connected via USB to my macbook pro, every so often I'll hear a crackle, and when looking over at my dac the led will quickly flash and thus make the crackling noise. All the connections are secure, is this a problem with the dac, or my computer?

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post #2 of 10
1/11/12 at 8:05am

Do you have any interference generating items around? Cell phone? Try moving it a bit, and clearing other items away.

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post #3 of 10
1/11/12 at 8:16am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by liamstrain View Post

Do you have any interference generating items around? Cell phone? Try moving it a bit, and clearing other items away.



Yea, I have my cellphone, and laptop right next to it. I'll try listening to it with them far away and see what happens, thanks for the advice.

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post #4 of 10
1/11/12 at 8:20am

Cellphone was a big one for one of my dac's... drove me nuts for way too long before I figured out that was the cause of the noise. 

 

Also worth trying is changing which USB port you use (using one on the computer, not a hub, yes?)

 

Finally would be looking to see if it coincides with actions on the computer (opening a program, saving a large file, transferring other data over the USB, etc.) - trying it with nothing else running for a while would be a start. 


Edited by liamstrain - 1/11/12 at 8:22am
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post #5 of 10
1/11/12 at 8:51am
Thread Starter 

Ok thanks, I'll try them all, I don't use a hub, and I'll try just to listen to music and see if it still appears.

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post #6 of 10
1/11/12 at 9:38am

Some of the earlier MacBookPro laptops had poorly powered USB ports.  Mine would not consistently run a USB drive.  If your DAC is using the USB power supply, you might try the other port.  Interestingly I found better results using a powered hub with that laptop, because there was enough power available for the devices.

 

You might try it on another computer also to try and localize the problem to the laptop or the DAC.

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post #7 of 10
1/11/12 at 10:15am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bones13 View Post

Some of the earlier MacBookPro laptops had poorly powered USB ports.  Mine would not consistently run a USB drive.  If your DAC is using the USB power supply, you might try the other port.  Interestingly I found better results using a powered hub with that laptop, because there was enough power available for the devices.

 

You might try it on another computer also to try and localize the problem to the laptop or the DAC.



The thing is, it didn't start until about 2 days ago, but thats also when I moved my dac to my dorm, I've moved my cellphone to the other side of the room but its still occurring. 

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post #8 of 10
1/11/12 at 12:58pm
Thread Starter 

I unplugged the power cable from my laptop and that's seemed to not cause any crackling now, I guess it was interference from the power cable.

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post #9 of 10
1/11/12 at 2:36pm

That's odd. Can you route the power cord away from the DAC? Maybe your dorm's power is dodgy? 

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post #10 of 10
1/11/12 at 2:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by liamstrain View Post

That's odd. Can you route the power cord away from the DAC? Maybe your dorm's power is dodgy? 

Now that I think about it you might be right all my equipment is plugged into a powerbar whereas the charger is plugged directly into the outlet though it still seems strange that, that was the source of the problem.
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