damier said:

  @thomascrown - thanks for the correction man - that certainly makes sense logically.
 
My issue started to present itself before I got my Gumby - and while it is possible the same issue was happening to my previous DAC, it doesn't explain the issue still being present when nothing is connected to the Taurus. So to clarify, the issue is still there when nothing is connected to the MKII (ie. only power input).
 
It has gotten much worse now, to a point where I can't even use Balanced. Looks like it's defective, which is a shame.
 
Please note also, there still doesn't appear to be any issue in Standard mode. I can use it normally as long as it is not in Balanced.
 
A question for you: have you reached out to Auralic support for your issue at all? You mention that you don't use Balanced mode - which I used exclusively and is the only mode I have issues with... it is possible you might have the same issue as me, but it's not as bad due to lack of utilisation of Balanced. May be better to get some advice if warranty still applies.
 
My serial is 28XX - so if it is close it could be from the same batch? I'm seeking advice from Auralic now, and will reach out to the reseller next week with regard to an RMA.

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I've reached Auralic and they asked me to contact my local dealer (NZ) to check the issue: the dealer couldn't replicate the issue so he sent me the amp back (different dac I suppose), he also wrote me that anyway he had to resolder something. Now, unfortunately it also happened that the dealer sent me back the wrong amp the first time, convinced that it was mine (a taurus preamp), so I can't really tell if he actually did anything or he was talking about the preamp instead... anyway the result is only that despite being very happy of my taurus, I'm not happy of they post sale service, so this will probably be my only and last auralic product ever (I had way better experience with Violectric, Schiit, Centrance and Audeze customer service).
My serial is 27xx (230v) so they may be pretty close as batch. In my case I could also hear some scratching noise adjusting the volume, with no music playing.  
I generally use only balanced mode, my nad is balanced as well. Same as you, no issues with the gumby or any other of my sources connected in std. 

thomascrown said:

  I've reached Auralic and they asked me to contact my local dealer (NZ) to check the issue: the dealer couldn't replicate the issue so he sent me the amp back (different dac I suppose), he also wrote me that anyway he had to resolder something. Now, unfortunately it also happened that the dealer sent me back the wrong amp the first time, convinced that it was mine (a taurus preamp), so I can't really tell if he actually did anything or he was talking about the preamp instead... anyway the result is only that despite being very happy of my taurus, I'm not happy of they post sale service, so this will probably be my only and last auralic product ever (I had way better experience with Violectric, Schiit, Centrance and Audeze customer service).
My serial is 27xx (230v) so they may be pretty close as batch. In my case I could also hear some scratching noise adjusting the volume, with no music playing.  
I generally use only balanced mode, my nad is balanced as well. Same as you, no issues with the gumby or any other of my sources connected in std. 

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@thomascrown - sorry, you didn't mention that you didn't use it in balanced - I think I caught that from another conversation.
 
I'm at a loss as to what to do. The issue has gone away for the most part today. It has still happened a few times, but is much more tame compared to yesterday. I also swapped the XLR's between DAC and AMP, some ASIO settings and removed the RCA cables between the Gumby and speakers (possible feedback loop? who knows...)
 
There are still too many variables to consider, so I'll look in to my mains quality tomorrow (particularly grounding). Need to buy a new multimeter for that.
 
Also good to hear you're a local - I'm in Wellington - bought my kit from Australia though due to NZ prices being prohibitive

damier said:

 
@thomascrown - sorry, you didn't mention that you didn't use it in balanced - I think I caught that from another conversation.
 
I'm at a loss as to what to do. The issue has gone away for the most part today. It has still happened a few times, but is much more tame compared to yesterday. I also swapped the XLR's between DAC and AMP, some ASIO settings and removed the RCA cables between the Gumby and speakers (possible feedback loop? who knows...)
 
There are still too many variables to consider, so I'll look in to my mains quality tomorrow (particularly grounding). Need to buy a new multimeter for that.
 
Also good to hear you're a local - I'm in Wellington - bought my kit from Australia though due to NZ prices being prohibit

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I started buying most of my toys from Australia as well, after being mistreated by the local dealers one time too many (I'm not originally from NZ, so I assume they considered me an easy target). 
My Taurus shows the issue only sometimes, when turned on from cold, or switching often between the sources (bal/std), but never had any problem on a regular listening session (I mean just adjusting the volume). Have you tried a different source? It may be more than one reason behind your issues.

thomascrown said:

I started buying most of my toys from Australia as well, after being mistreated by the local dealers one time too many (I'm not originally from NZ, so I assume they considered me an easy target).
My Taurus shows the issue only sometimes, when turned on from cold, or switching often between the sources (bal/std), but never had any problem on a regular listening session (I mean just adjusting the volume). Have you tried a different source? It may be more than one reason behind your issues.

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Yeah, I hadn't considered the PC route initially. Last thing I did was cleaned up a bit of the wiring and gave my PC a good power down, and the issue hasn't really cropped back up since.
I did notice before that the mute relay on the Gumby was going crazy (the clicking you hear sometimes when engaging the ASIO driver or changing tracks with different sample rates) - and was even engaging during skipping through a music track. Not now though.

I also still have the speakers off the mains and their RCA removed from the DAC, so that is another variable to consider.
I've got cheap, longer Jaycar XLR's currently attached between DAC and AMP (sad because the replacements were in the range of $200AUD, or close to 10x cost). Might consider picking up an XLR attenuator or something.

For now though, I'll just slowly re-introduce factors one at a time until an issue pops back up


Edit 24/05: -- Okay, so no issues since my last post until the Saturday just gone. Now the issues are back and have been consistent for the last 4 days. Really unfortunate and somewhat frustrating. I made a couple of boring videos of the issue:




So the clicking sounds like it originates from the back. Only seems to happens in balanced mode, with or without any inputs/outputs. Tried in various power outlets.

Recent owner of a Taurus Mk II. I've been running an analog rig through the SE input. I'm considering picking up an Altair and running that into the Bal input. I know the manual says to only have one input connected at once, but has anyone run two inputs at the same time? If they are individually buffered, then whats the issue with switching to the "in-use" input on the front panel?

damier said:

Yeah, I hadn't considered the PC route initially. Last thing I did was cleaned up a bit of the wiring and gave my PC a good power down, and the issue hasn't really cropped back up since.
I did notice before that the mute relay on the Gumby was going crazy (the clicking you hear sometimes when engaging the ASIO driver or changing tracks with different sample rates) - and was even engaging during skipping through a music track. Not now though.

I also still have the speakers off the mains and their RCA removed from the DAC, so that is another variable to consider.
I've got cheap, longer Jaycar XLR's currently attached between DAC and AMP (sad because the replacements were in the range of $200AUD, or close to 10x cost). Might consider picking up an XLR attenuator or something.

For now though, I'll just slowly re-introduce factors one at a time until an issue pops back up


Edit 24/05: -- Okay, so no issues since my last post until the Saturday just gone. Now the issues are back and have been consistent for the last 4 days. Really unfortunate and somewhat frustrating. I made a couple of boring videos of the issue:




So the clicking sounds like it originates from the back. Only seems to happens in balanced mode, with or without any inputs/outputs. Tried in various power outlets.

Click to expand...

Well I suppose there isn't much more to do but send it back to Auralic or try contacting Terry@ http://www.audioreference.co.nz, they sell auralic in NZ and they should be also able to check yours before sending it to China.
Good luck!

cbl117 said:

Recent owner of a Taurus Mk II. I've been running an analog rig through the SE input. I'm considering picking up an Altair and running that into the Bal input. I know the manual says to only have one input connected at once, but has anyone run two inputs at the same time? If they are individually buffered, then whats the issue with switching to the "in-use" input on the front panel?

Click to expand...

There is no 'real' issue with having both sets of inputs connected, I ran my Taurus this way for some time, and that worked well. User manual stated that they do not recommend running this way since there is a chance that there could be some minute leak from unused input, so in interest of highest possible SQ they discourage this configuration. But it works.

I also found another interesting (and real) downside to this setup: while fighting with the ground loops I have arrived at 2 distinct configurations of my equipment, one resulting in absolute absence of hum when using balanced input, but noticeable hum on unbalanced input, and other configuration where both inputs were just slightly affected by hum. So, having only one input to work with simplifies fights with ground loops and allows for quieter overall setup.

Hello Auralic-ists,

Recent Taurus/Vega stack owner chiming in for the first time here. I've always wanted to have this pile on my desktop but until recently it wasn't ever an option economically-speaking.

First impressions: this is the BEST I've ever heard from my computer. I'm not a speaker guy and haven't been into vinyl for a few years, and I can unequivocally say that the Auralic stack brings the most dynamic and realistic sound I've heard out of my PS1000s. Yes the Taurus may be a bit overkill for Grados but I wanted something that would be future proof. Not to mention the stack just LOOKs great.

Anyway, will chime in later with some comparisons and further thoughts after I get more head-time with this rig.

Joe

congrats, great combo!!

phaeton70 said:

congrats, great combo!!

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Thanks!

Question fellas: i'm looking for a new headphone to complement my PS1000. And leaning toward something of the planar variety. So here it is – HE500 or alpha prime? Both are in my price range and positive impressions have been made for both with the Auralic stuff.

If that PS1000 is like the other Grado's I heard, then maybe it's nice to have a bit easier to listen headphone with a litle bit of roll off? Something like the HEX or HEX V2 might be nice since they are much cheaper nowadays.

Any of you blokes using a power conditioner to noticeable effect with your Aura stuff?

I've used a power conditioner for 13 years in several different systems, including with my Taurus II and with my Violectric V200. You know what it is? It is nothing more than a rack-mountable surge protector with pretty lights on the front panel. It does absolutely nothing to audibly improve sound. It's a convenient place to plug all your gear into though.

Well, that depends on the quality of your power. If you can hear noise when nothing is playing, or you here audible distortion, a conditioner might help. All depends.