A) Googling old forum threads I solved one of my problems with the MK2, for playback via HQPlayer, I switched to DoP and a sample rate with a multiple of 44.1k not 48k. Neither my $100 Topping DAC nor my other eight grand DAC have problems with the 48K multiple. So, I do think it should be noted somewhere in the MK2 manual.
B) But, with the MK2, I cannot find the solution I found in the forum to a hissing problem… engage the 20dB volume attenuator. Indeed, in the manual, the DAC Level button on the remote is marked as, “Not applicable for MK2”. My problem is that with the MK2 coupled directly to an NAD C298 power amp, I get a lot of hissing. Anouar Brahem’s The Astounding Eyes of Rita is no longer listenable. In general, I am not going above 35 on the MK2 output. And at 50, the pets stand up and run away using their front paws to fold their ears down, it is so loud.
I put a preamp in between and the problem is solved with the MK2 set at 100. But the goal was to sell the preamp, not to keep it for only one DAC. It is also part of the financial package negotiated with the local authority in the house.
C) I might have gone a little crazy lifting all grounds. I also lifted both output grounds, the general one and “shell”. Might I have gone too far for safety?
D) Also in the output section, RCA Balanced was off. I am using balanced XLR cables out. Should this setting be on?
E) BTW, using an ethernet cable, the MK2 shows that it is connected. But it does not seem to provide any IP address or MAC information on screen. A new device did show up on my router in the right area though. It is called “expressif”. Is that the MK2?
The RCA balanced option has to do with running balanced over RCA cables. It does not affect the XLR outputs. Mine is set to off also and I run balanced XLR cables. I don’t get the hiss issue as when I direct connect the mk 2 to the BHK 250 amp I get absolutely no hiss from 1 to 100 level on the mk 2. Are your speakers extremely high sensitivity? Is the amp you are running Class D? My speakers are moderately high sensitivity at 93 db per watt 1 meter.
DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256 are typically relative to 44.1k. We can try to make this clearer in the manual.
Running at 35 could cause some hissing, you are then down about 32dB. Still something else might be the problem. See next paragraph.
Try lifting grounds and not lifting grounds. There’s no universally better way of picking what sounds better on your system. If you are having problems don’t lift any ground until you are satisfied with your system and then experiment one at a time to find the optimal setup for your system.
I just had all inputs lifted, but not outputs. I have never had noise issues either way. The sound has a bit more air with all inputs lifted it seems, but it is a very slight difference.
However, I have not been able to convince my wife that there is a SQ improvement, but she said it did not hurt the sound. That is good enough for me and I will keep them lifted for the time being.
OK, I have RCA Balanced back off. As I lifted the various grounds I listened for changes to the hiss. I have not tried all combinations, for sure. But I heard no changes so far. The speakers are in the 90s for sensitivity. And the NAD C298 is indeed a Class D amp (Purifi). I am well used to the typical Class D hiss… also from the PSA S300 (ICE). I am well familiar with ground loops tones too. I run isolators on power, ethernet (shielded high-cat cables can cause loops) and on the satellite cable. The isolators are a German brand (HMS Energia GLS). As it is, it is not a matter of finding optimal, but of finding listenable. Putting a preamp back in the mix is a solution. But I was hoping for something more like the 20dB attenuator setting from the prior model. Is there any way to emulate this with the MK2 alone? Any way to bring the function back with an update?
The C298 has a trim control on the back which will let you drop 20dB. Just turn it down.
And the 64, 128 and 256 suffixes to “DSD” specifically denote multiples of 44.1kHz. For example, the frequency for single-rate DSD is 64 x 44.1kHz = 2.8224MHz. When using DoP you are delivering 16 bits of DSD inside of what looks like a PCM sample. For DSD64 then, we a need a PCM rate of 176.4kHz so that 16 x 176.4kHz = 2.8224MHz.
In principle you can do 1-bit modulation at any frequency you want, but the DSD standard is based on the 44.1kHz fundamental.
In general… a 180W/8Ohm power amp with a default of 28.5dB gain might be considered rather overpowered for speakers with above 90dB/W sensitivity. If you’re ever in the market for a new amp for those speakers maybe look at options with much less gain and don’t worry about the power rating. Still, the trim control on the C298 should let you push the DAC’s noise floor down below the amp’s own.
I agree! Would be great for the manual to step out some of the features which are coming to light through the forum.
Does anyone know what the RCA balanced option does within the audio outputs? Just a bit unsure what it’s meant to help with if it’s thought not to relate to XLR cables or running balanced over RCAs!
Normally, the RCA outputs use the centre conductor for an audio signal with the sleeve connected to ground as a reference for that signal. That’s the standard single-ended setup.
When you switch on the balanced option, the sleeve is instead connected to the inverted version of the audio signal. This means the voltage difference between the two conductors will be doubled and you can potentially benefit from some differential cancellation of noise picked up by the cable between your devices. 4VRMS might be too hot for a lot of equipment though so use with care.
I just ordered a MK2 and truly excited -I had so much credit from other gear traded in that I now have a MK1 with bridge to get rid of -hopefully to someone who can take advantage of the trade in.
I might be without a Dac for a few weeks, since the MK2’s have a back order, but the wait will be worth playing LP’s only for a while.
There will never be an attenuator function in the mk 2 all the switches were removed as the caused more noise than they would reduce. Something is definitely up with your particular set up as the mk 2 is much quieter than the mk 1 ever was even with the attenuator engaged.
If you’re using XLR out cables to your preamp try the output shell lift. I just did the lift on I2S 1 input and shell lift output only with good results.
). Thanks!