[makatech]

@iFi audio perhaps you could comment on the discussion above?

I emailed ifi audio support earlier today.

I doubt anything is wrong but I suspect we sometimes get a quiet "pop" sound when sample rate is switching between mqa - pcm - mqa. We will see what they answer.

 

[fonkepala]

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?

Thing is, I'm not getting any clicks with my order dac/amps. That includes the Mojo, Stoner Acoustics UD130, Qudelix 5K and a $20 barebones chinese dac. Granted, they don't play MQA, but still...remember that the clicks I'm hearing aren't happening when I play MQA.

 

[psykix]

I tried Audirvana to play the Tidal tracks and it still clicks.

 

[fonkepala]

So an answer/response/info on this popping/clicking issue isn't forthcoming from @iFi audio?

 

[psykix]

So an answer/response/info on this popping/clicking issue isn't forthcoming from @iFi audio?

Seems not, unfortunately.

 

[iFi audio]

So an answer/response/info on this popping/clicking issue isn't forthcoming from @iFi audio?

Our support staff replies within two business days usually, so I'd expect a reply on Monday.

 

[fonkepala]

Our support staff replies within two business days usually, so I'd expect a reply on Monday.

Thanks! Looking forward to it.

 

[makatech]

Two newbie discoveries made today:

Comparing Tidal and Spotify together with Zen Dac.

Scenario 1: Configuring Tidal for MQA rendering thus enabling exclusive mode and forced volume.

If doing an a to b test with Spotify you have to raise the volume higher in Spotify comparing to Tidal.

Conclusion: Exclusive mode and forced volume setting in Tidal is giving you some extra headroom (in Tidal).

Scenario 2: If/when EQing (if boosting a frequency) you have to lower the preamp value for avoiding compression/distortion. This takes some headroom away from your amp forcing you to raise the volume of your amp but should still be "ok" for HD600 and HD650 (300 ohm headphones).

Conclusion: This could potentially lead to an issue for headphones more difficult to drive together with he Zen Dac, hitting the limit.

 

[JasperCat]

I doubt anything is wrong but I suspect we sometimes get a quiet "pop" sound when sample rate is switching between mqa - pcm - mqa. We will see what they answer.

If it helps diagnose or debug this issue, I have exactly the same quiet 'pop' when changing between MQA and PCM using the following system:

TIDAL -> RoonServer (running on Mac) -> iFi Zen DAC

So it seems it's not a Windows issue. It also 'pops' very slightly when I pause/unpause an MQA track too. In all cases the LED on the DAC changes from Green -> Magenta or back again.

I also have an iFi Nano BL and this doesn't have the same issue. Both units have been upgraded to firmware 5.3c.

It's not the end of the world, just a minor annoyance

 

[fonkepala]

Our support staff replies within two business days usually, so I'd expect a reply on Monday.

Just to be clear, I don't think any of us here have opened a support ticket or emailed your support team directly regarding this 'popping' issue. It would be helpful & appreciated if you could address this for us here in this thread.

 

[makatech]

Just to be clear, I don't think any of us here have opened a support ticket or emailed your support team directly regarding this 'popping' issue. It would be helpful & appreciated if you could address this for us here in this thread.

I emailed them Tuesday 1/9 but no reply yet. Reason why I emailed was because the support site had issues the weekend before and @iFi audio provided me with the email address.

 

[makatech]

Another minor annoyance I found today. I am not putting any blame on the Zen Dac though.

I have been playing around with some EQing using EqualizerAPO & Peace, working fine. I cheated using values from other owners though. Trying presets from metal571 (Youtube) and also been studying this source:
https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/9o2f5n/psa_oratory1990s_list_of_eq_presets/

My problem, please correct me if I am wrong now?

If configuring Tidal for MQA rendering through the Zen Dac (exclusive mode and force volume enabled) then EQing while streaming is impossible unless using Roon?

Roon is working great, no issues so far (14 day trial) but it would be a bit expensive since I am not planning on using all the features in Roon.

Feels like I am complaining all the time but I am not.
I'm more and more enjoying the combination of Zen Dac and HD6XX, it's the opposite of ear fatigue, it's in the smooth/warm area without being overly smooth/warm (for me). Perhaps not the most neutral or trebly combination in the world but I couldn't care less about that, it's neutral enough for me and it is sounding really good. Some reviewers complaining about Burr Brown dac chip being smooth, I am celebrating it.

 

[iFi audio]

If it helps diagnose or debug this issue, I have exactly the same quiet 'pop' when changing between MQA and PCM using the following system:

TIDAL -> RoonServer (running on Mac) -> iFi Zen DAC

So it seems it's not a Windows issue. It also 'pops' very slightly when I pause/unpause an MQA track too. In all cases the LED on the DAC changes from Green -> Magenta or back again.

I also have an iFi Nano BL and this doesn't have the same issue. Both units have been upgraded to firmware 5.3c.

It's not the end of the world, just a minor annoyance

I'll ask whether our staff knows anything about this popping sound.

 

[fonkepala]

I'll ask whether our staff knows anything about this popping sound.

Looking forward to *any* feedback on this issue from your side.

 

[makatech]

Question about configuring the iFi (by AMR) HD + USB Audio driver in Windows 10, referring to settings in Control Panel within the Sound section.

My question: After right clicking properties, in the Advanced section I set it to 32 bits, 192000 Hz (Studio quality) which is the maximum settings? Is this the recommended configuration?