Forgot to mention: I am able to reproduce this scenario on both workstation and laptop.
iFi ZEN DAC discussion + impression
- Thread starter lambdastorm
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Yes, I am able to reproduce on both laptop and workstation, it's really strange that no other Tidal Hifi & Zen Dac owners are able to reproduce. Then I assume I will have to return my Zen Dac if no other are able to reproduce this scenario switching between different MQA/master tracks in Tidal. It's not very audible but for some albums/lists you do here the "pop" sound in the beginning when manually starting tracks. English isn't my native language but trying my best here.
One example where I hear them is Club Future Nostalgia (DJ Mix)
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As I'm not a Tidal subscriber, perhaps others here will be able to test this for you.
Oh, ok, yes, I need help from other Zen Dac owners with Tidal running MQA/master tracks.
Again I have to clarify, it's sounding great playing the MQA/master tracks through Tidal and Zen Dac, it's just the sporadic pop sound (not for all songs) when manually switching/browsing through different MQA tracks which is annoying me. It's not loud, no, but still a bit annoying when everything else is perfect.
If I understand this sometimes happen for other products as well, at least when running AMP/DAC through USB but I will try doing some more googling/analyze. It could be Tidal related of course. If you google Tidal MQA (or master) pop sounds or similar you will find some interesting threads.
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The other day I (successfully) upgraded my hip-DAC and Zen DAC to the 5.03c (GTO) filter. My hip-DAC continues to show green when I'm playing my files (96/44 ALAC).
However, my Zen DAC shows a 'yellowish green', and only on the right side, the left side (as you look at the face) doesn't light up.
This is w/ the same source device, my iPhone 11, same files/songs....any thoughts?
However, my Zen DAC shows a 'yellowish green', and only on the right side, the left side (as you look at the face) doesn't light up.
This is w/ the same source device, my iPhone 11, same files/songs....any thoughts?
I just tried Club Future Nostalgia and can confirm it also clicks (and indicator turns briefly yellow) when switching tracks on my setup.
Tried What a Time To Be Alive (Drake, Future) and that does not click, but does also briefly turn indicator yellow when changing tracks which is to be expected I guess, as the MQA output briefly stops streaming.
Tried What a Time To Be Alive (Drake, Future) and that does not click, but does also briefly turn indicator yellow when changing tracks which is to be expected I guess, as the MQA output briefly stops streaming.
Many thanks for reproducing.
Another Zen Dac - Tidal user here also helped me reproducing this behavior (we had a private conversation).Yeah I assume the Zen Dac making a quiet "pop"/click sound when the sample rate changes between mqa - pcm (?) - mqa which happens for some Tidal master tracks when manually hitting play but not for all Tidal master tracks. Since this is not affecting continuous play (at least I don't think so) it is ok otherwise it would have been more annoying.
Question is: Should the Zen Dac behave like this or not? The sporadic "pop" sounds when the sample rate changes? This is a rather common behavior for several DAC products out there connecting through USB, right?
"RealBugsBunny" on Reddit actually recommending me to have my unit replaced which is confusing me a bit, this thread.
https://www.reddit.com/r/TIdaL/comments/ijjzff/tidal_master_tracks_through_a_ampdac_sporadic/
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Hopefully iFi Audio will chime in, they seem to be active in this thread.
It could be a firmware issue - we are both using V5.3C
Also, mine shows WDM as being active, not ASIO which baffles me a little, as I thought the driver we installed was an ASIO driver.
It could be a firmware issue - we are both using V5.3C
Also, mine shows WDM as being active, not ASIO which baffles me a little, as I thought the driver we installed was an ASIO driver.
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I believe this is correct, Tidal is not supporting ASIO on Windows 10 I think (?) but software like Roon does.
I got a recommendation on Reddit trying this but I am not at home right now, maybe you can try?
https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneA.../?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
I already tried disabling USB suspend, made no difference, clicks are still there.
I listened closely & just noticed that I'm getting clicks when changing tracks on Foobar as well. FLAC files. Also on Spotify, but pretty randomly and not all the time.
I assume we sometimes get sporadic click sounds when there is a sample rate change triggered which could be related to the fact it's connecting through USB but I'm not sure (guessing now).
It's probably not affecting continuous play though, right?
@iFi audio perhaps you could comment on the discussion above?
Richard Wray
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Using the Zen Mac with Tidal on my MacBook and every so often there is no sound. The tracks play, but nothing can be heard....then is happens, then it doesn't. I can't see any pattern. Any ideas?
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