Hi All,
 
I did a cursory search regarding this issue but couldn't find any information on google regarding this issue.
 
I purchased this USB DAC 4 years ago and has been using pretty much everyday since.
 
I replaced the usb cable and the coaxial cable but the issue persists. Needless to say, I did check with more than one headset.
 
I tried changing channel balance but that doesn't to work because at same settings, different songs sound different. I mean different levels of output from L and R channels.
 
I understand that the warranty lasts only 1 year but does any one know if the co, HRT or anyone else repairs these DACs?
 
Thanks!

Bump.
Do you think this thread should be moved to another section/forum for better response?

I recently visited the store where the owner was willing to let his technician rip it open and check. Need to find time for the trip to the store when technician himself is available at the store. Fingers crossed.

This device is a straight USB-to-DAC, no?  No built-in headphone amp?
 
What are you using as a headphone amp?  How do you know it's working properly?  After 4 years, if they used a cheap volume control on it, it could exhibit that sort of behavior, especially (but NOT exclusively) if you or someone in your household smokes.  Also, for channel imbalance, it could be the phono (or RCA) cables running from the DAC to the headphone amp.
 
USB cables aren't likely to be the issue unless the device cuts out completely and the computer thinks the connection has dropped -- which should be easy to ascertain from the desktop of whatever computer you're using.
 
So if the tech. can't find anything wrong, have them look at the headphone amp -- I think that's much more likely the culprit.

Yes, this device connects to the usb cable running directly from the laptop usb port to device. I'm not using any amps.
 
I use a 2 rca male to 3.5 mm female adapter purchased locally to connect my headphones. Sound has been very powerful for my SR80i and SRH440s so far. Even HF5 and ES18 sound well. So never needed amp.
 
I changed the usb cable and the rca adapter to no effect.
 
Strangely it seems to have gotten better now after recent windows 10 update. I will try and update the audio drivers and see if that fixes it.
 
Also, there has been weird channel inversion issue for long time now since windows 8.1 days. Wondering what causes that and google didn't help much

Then the only other thing I can think of is perhaps the system mixer settings got messed up & then straightened out during the update.
 
I wish you the best of luck resolving your situation.

fredralphfred said:

  Then the only other thing I can think of is perhaps the system mixer settings got messed up & then straightened out during the update.
 
I wish you the best of luck resolving your situation.

Click to expand...

I did play around with those settings as well to no avail as in a constant setting never provided a constant balanced output. It seemed jumpy. So, I'm inclined towards driver issue. Will try Wasapi, ASIO and even Linux soon and post my findings.

I sent email to HRT's customer support and got response. They had me try few steps and after testing I found out that the issue is not occuring anymore. I also noticed these days, that my left ear seems to have become more sensitive than my right. With every set-up I tried, Left seems to be dominant. Don't know what caused this weird issue but I don't enjoy the music the same anymore as earlier.