View Full Version : Pops and crackles on USB output
Hello chaps,
Just need a quick bit of advice. Had my main system apart in the last few weeks whilst I had some new cupboards built to store all the kit in. Spent the weekend putting everything back in its place and making sure all the wires and things are nicely tucked away and its all looking great.
Problem is with the USB output on my laptop, since I connected it up again ( supra USB cable to v-link to DAC) I'm finding I get almost vinyl like pops and crackles occurring at odd times, almost like 'clipping' at certain frequencies. I use J-River media centre 18 and everything is set up for the v-link, outputting at 24-96. I thought the issue might have been with the supra cable as its the newest bit in the system, everything worked flawlessly before. But I've since changed back to my old maplin cable and it still continues. I did have the laptop PSU plugged into my tacima with the rest of the kit and I've now put it in a different plug with no effect. My connection is WiFi to the router which worked great before but now not so good. The music plays but it seems like something glitching, my windows 8 has had a few updates lately.
Any ideas? WiFi dropouts? Should I drill the wall and run a wired connection in? Its frustrating the hell out of me as my kit looks so great in its new positIon.
Cheers
Rare Bird
07-07-2013, 21:28
Rich can you clean everything up & then try again. Disc Cleaner/Defrag etc
Rich can you clean everything up & then try again. Disc Cleaner/Defrag etc
I could I suppose but the laptop is fairly clean and tidy as it is, i'm not running any extraneous programs or process. It a new laptop it 8gig ram and a fast processor so nothings overrunning.
I dont use j-river but I think this would still apply - is your output device using wasapi event mode? Might be worth trying wasapi push instead.
Rich,
Under Options/Audio/output mode settings try increasing your buffer size.
Spectral Morn
08-07-2013, 07:23
Rich,
Under Options/Audio/output mode settings try increasing your buffer size.
That sounds very much like what is wrong.
Regards Neil
wee tee cee
08-07-2013, 09:47
I noticed some drop outs yesterday very similar to what you describe. I recently had loads of windows up dates on my lap top. I am all hard wired laptop/v-link/optical or co-ax to the DAC. I was listening on headphones. Tried wiggling all the connections but couldn't get any replications of the drop out. I run I tunes and spotify no additional software. So effectively completely hard wired when on I tunes.
Cant comment on whether the problem continued as it was a sunny day in Glasgow yesterday, so sat in the back garden soaked rays and got pished.
That sounds very much like what is wrong.
Regards Neil
+2 Its what I've experienced when tweaking the buffer size...
Cheers guys, does anyone know the 'optimal' buffer settings for j-river in wasapi
Cheers guys, does anyone know the 'optimal' buffer settings for j-river in wasapi
You need to try them out Rich, as different DAC's respond differently to different buffer level settings, especially asynchronous ones. My HRT is very picky, but the Rega much less so.
Cheers guys, does anyone know the 'optimal' buffer settings for j-river in wasapi
I'd suggest setting it to the highest available value, particularly if you intend to use high res files, latency is only an issue for computer based instruments, for audio playback buffers are your friend IMHO :)
I'd set it at the highest settings and work your way down to get the "sweet spot".
When the crackles return out it up a notch and your sorted.
Then forget it and enjoy the music. :)
Have a try with the Kernel Streaming option rather than Wasapi...sounds a touch more transparent to me.
It's Dac/system/ears dependant, so always good to try these things.
Good to have the options, unlike a CD player!
Well chaps, I think I've narrowed it down. The problem appears to be the v-link, which just doesn't get on with my system in the new position. I tried different cables, adjusting buffers, updating drivers, even moving the gear apart to see if something was causing interference. Then I connected that laptop directly to the Rega USB input and hey presto, problem gone. Guess I'll be putting it up for sale on here soon. It works fine, just not in my system as its currently set up. Going back to the Rega USB input and its still an enjoyable sound even if it feels like a backward step.
Lesson learned here, always be prepared to reconsider your stance.
Is it the Vlink or the Vlink 192 you have Rich?
I ask as I had both and didn't have any issues playing into my Rega Dac..
192?
Try reinstalling the drivers.
Vlink?
Try all your different USB ports (seriously)
Try a powered USB hub, could be your laptop usb isn't providing quite enough power for your Vlink input?
Couple of Windows thoughts...assuming it might be a power issue...
Windows power schemes - is it set to "High Performance"?
In Device Manager, switch off all power features for each USB Hub.
Be a shame to lose the Vlink, I found it was a good improvement over the Rega USB AND you could play hires material as well.
Is it the Vlink or the Vlink 192 you have Rich?
I ask as I had both and didn't have any issues playing into my Rega Dac..
192?
Try reinstalling the drivers.
Vlink?
Try all your different USB ports (seriously)
Try a powered USB hub, could be your laptop usb isn't providing quite enough power for your Vlink input?
Couple of Windows thoughts...assuming it might be a power issue...
Windows power schemes - is it set to "High Performance"?
In Device Manager, switch off all power features for each USB Hub.
Be a shame to lose the Vlink, I found it was a good improvement over the Rega USB AND you could play hires material as well.
Cheers Gaz, its definately the usb ports on the laptop... I tried the v-link back in and all 3 usb outputs create pops and crackles when the v-link is connected. I tried the USB2ISO dongle I have and the problem is still there. It only disappears when i disconnect the power supply. This is audible when there is no music playing?
Sorry to sound like a numpty but how would I know which USB port is creating the problem?
Like I said before there is no noise when I connect directly from USB to Rega DAC. I'd agree btw that the v-link makes a positive difference and whilst the Rega USB input sounds fine it lacks refinement of coax & v-link and just doesnt sound as 'live'.
Help appreciated mate, this is doing my heed in
UPDATE problem solved! It turn out I'd been using the cheap replacement PSU for my laptop rather than the one originally supplied. I can only assume this must have had a bad earth/ground as replacing it with the manufacturers (hp) one sorted the problem immediately. So the V-link is back and doing its thing, its now being fed via the supra usb cable and a klotz AC110 serving as coax. Sounding sweet.... I was pulling my hair out.
Canetoad
10-07-2013, 14:57
Surely proof that PSUs CAN make a difference! :eyebrows:
Glad you sorted it Rich.
Yay! :)
sorted..
nice one Rich.
realysm42
10-07-2013, 18:19
Phew, a happy ending.
Power is definitely the most neglected area in our hobby.
Phew, a happy ending.
Power is definitely the most neglected area in our hobby.
Yes, there has to be better way of powering a laptop than the nasty brick things they supply. Anyone have suggestions for a fit and forget solution I can install?
Spectral Morn
10-07-2013, 18:55
Yes, there has to be better way of powering a laptop than the nasty brick things they supply. Anyone have suggestions for a fit and forget solution I can install?
I have read some on Computer Audiophile, mentioning PSU's for computers obtained from Paul Hynes, why not pm him and ask.
Regards Neil
realysm42
10-07-2013, 19:01
I should really (and will) write a separate review for it but the linear PSU I've got for my PC from mcru is a game changer; I'm sure it can be tailored for your needs.
It lowers the noise floor considerably, meaning less of what you don't want to hear and more of what you do (and previously never would have). Its amazing how much more nuanced the music is and bass has texture all of a sudden.
I should really (and will) write a separate review for it but the linear PSU I've got for my PC from mcru is a game changer; I'm sure it can be tailored for your needs.
It lowers the noise floor considerably, meaning less of what you don't want to hear and more of what you do (and previously never would have). Its amazing how much more nuanced the music is and bass has texture all of a sudden.
An alternative approach, if using a usb-spdif converter, would be to isolate it from the pc power supply by using something like an AQVOX linear usb power supply or the Ifi Micro iUSB.
realysm42
11-07-2013, 05:36
I use both.
The problem I had came from an ground loop created by my laptop PSU. A better PSU resolved it completely. As an extra measure I've ordered one of those Kensington 2 pin power chargers instead of the cloverleaf one the laptop came with. This takes the earth out of the equation and still powers the laptop. I expect the same could have been achieved by just using the toslink output on the v-link rather than the coaxial thus breaking the loop which caused the issue.
This video explains it rather well jSA2F1AwboU
Anyway since I now know this I've switched over to optical from the v-link as an extra measure.
I don't want to knock the solutions ifi and others offer but if the answer is as simple as using 2 pin chargers and optical cable then I can live with that.
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