It would be nice to know the answer to the above prior to investing in this one:
I have used mine since the beginning, now five weeks, without the 5 v leg with no problems or noise. Ditto for my old PWD for most of a year. I use Empirical Audio’s USB Short Block Filter which disconnects this leg.
I suspect that the computer is the problem here, not the DAC. It may be that the master (computer) end of the USB connection has to see a load on the power line in order to recognize a connection on that port. The Short Block may provide this load while not passing the power connection through to the USB slave device.
J.P.
wingsounds13 said I suspect that the computer is the problem here, not the DAC. It may be that the master (computer) end of the USB connection has to see a load on the power line in order to recognize a connection on that port. The Short Block may provide this load while not passing the power connection through to the USB slave device.J.P.
Possible but I seem to recall before buying the SB having run a test by cutting the 5v lead, in fact more I think about it I’m pretty sure I did.
Could be. I remember somebody here removing the +5V contact from a USB connector and reporting that it worked with the PWD. It may have even been better than the unadulterated cable, but I don’t remember that much.
J.P.
I don’t either nor when I ran my test.
rogerdn saidCan't be the computer. I use this cable successfully with:wingsounds13 said I suspect that the computer is the problem here, not the DAC. It may be that the master (computer) end of the USB connection has to see a load on the power line in order to recognize a connection on that port. The Short Block may provide this load while not passing the power connection through to the USB slave device.Possible but I seem to recall before buying the SB having run a test by cutting the 5v lead, in fact more I think about it I'm pretty sure I did.J.P.
(1) the NAD M51 DAC
(2) an Audiophilleo USB/SPDIF converter.
In fact I’m using it right now with the Audiophilleo that then connects to the co-ax input of the Directstream.
I shouldn’t have to do this - I should be able to use the USB input of the Directstream.
Also, the mac does see the PS Audio - its listed as a device in Audio-midi and I have selected it.
This is the response I got from PS Audio Tech Support:
“We do require the volts from the USB port. We don’t utilize the power for anything other than indicating the USB is plugged in.”
That just shouldn’t be.
alcarp saidrogerdn saidwingsounds13 said I suspect that the computer is the problem here, not the DAC. It may be that the master (computer) end of the USB connection has to see a load on the power line in order to recognize a connection on that port. The Short Block may provide this load while not passing the power connection through to the USB slave device.J.P.
Possible but I seem to recall before buying the SB having run a test by cutting the 5v lead, in fact more I think about it I’m pretty sure I did.
Can’t be the computer. I use this cable successfully with:
(1) the NAD M51 DAC
(2) an Audiophilleo USB/SPDIF converter.
In fact I’m using it right now with the Audiophilleo that then connects to the co-ax input of the Directstream.
I shouldn’t have to do this - I should be able to use the USB input of the Directstream.
Also, the mac does see the PS Audio - its listed as a device in Audio-midi and I have selected it.
This is the response I got from PS Audio Tech Support:
“We do require the volts from the USB port. We don’t utilize the power for anything other than indicating the USB is plugged in.”
That just shouldn’t be.
The 5V VBUS line is there for more than just power - it’s used to signal when cables are inserted and unplugged and various devices determine if something is right or wrong depending on how it changes as cables are inserted or removed (droop, etc.). It’s a crap shoot when you violate the USB spec what happens with any two different devices - that’s why the spec is there.
Trust me, unless I have the only one, the DS plays just fine with no 5v bus.
rogerdn said Trust me, unless I have the only one, the DS plays just fine with no 5v bus.If what you say is true then the Tech Support guy at PS Audio doesn't know his own DAC (See my post #67)
alcarp saidDid you read my response Post # 68?rogerdn said Trust me, unless I have the only one, the DS plays just fine with no 5v bus.If what you say is true then the Tech Support guy at PS Audio doesn't know his own DAC (See my post #67)
When you violate the USB spec the results depend on the specifics of all components involved. With no VBUS connection you may never connect or everything may work fine. (Either end of the USB connection may like or not like a missing VBUS connection.)
Ted Smith saidYes Ted I did read your post #68.alcarp saidDid you read my response Post # 68?rogerdn said Trust me, unless I have the only one, the DS plays just fine with no 5v bus.If what you say is true then the Tech Support guy at PS Audio doesn't know his own DAC (See my post #67)When you violate the USB spec the results depend on the specifics of all components involved. With no VBUS connection you may never connect or everything may work fine. (Either end of the USB connection may like or not like a missing VBUS connection.)
I was responding to Rogerdn’s post. He presumably has a Mac as source, a USB cable with no 5V VBUS connection and the same DAC. That’s exactly what I have.
alcarp saidTed Smith saidalcarp saidrogerdn said Trust me, unless I have the only one, the DS plays just fine with no 5v bus.If what you say is true then the Tech Support guy at PS Audio doesn’t know his own DAC (See my post #67)
Did you read my response Post # 68?
When you violate the USB spec the results depend on the specifics of all components involved. With no VBUS connection you may never connect or everything may work fine. (Either end of the USB connection may like or not like a missing VBUS connection.)
Yes Ted I did read your post #68.
I was responding to Rogerdn’s post. He presumably has a Mac as source, a USB cable with no 5V VBUS connection and the same DAC. That’s exactly what I have.
My point exactly. When you violate the spec anything can happen. There should be no expectations of what will happen you can only try it and see (and not complain if it changes later.)
I’m not trying to be a pain but you said “Can’t be the computer”, “I shouldn’t have to do this – I should be able to use the USB input of the Directstream. [without VBUS connected]” and “That just shouldn’t be.” I explained why you were wrong.
There is no way we can test for every possible combination of violations of the spec and characterize the results. This particular item can be hardware specific, OS version specific, player version specific…
I’m hoping someone can help:
Configuration is below. My Mac Mini usually outputs USB to an Empirical Audio Off Ramp, then I2S to the DirectStream, formerly a PWDII. I almost always run with Pure Music, upsampling to 192.
I’ve downloaded a DSD album, my first. But I haven’t had any luck making it actually – you know – play. As David Byrne would say, “How do I work this?”
Following the instructions for Pure Music, I adjusted settings on that interface to allow for DSD playback. Under “Special Options”, there was a setting to specify a “Flag” of values AAAA or 05FA. 05FA was already selected, so I went with that. After restart, I could PLAY the music (and the sample rate in PureMusic suggested it was going to 176.4, but there was a significant background hiss, like white noise, making it sound terrible.
I then set the flag to AAAA, and there was no sound at all. I went back to 05FA and limited playback to 192, but DSD playback still went to 176.4 with a loud background hiss.
So, basically I figure that I don’t know what’s going on, or how to conjur up DSD playback.
Any advice?
Rob
Rob H. saidRob, do you have the latest version of PM, Rob (of PM ) said there was a bug in original issue. Here is the e mail he sent, I was able to get mine playing DSD.
Hello Roger,
- Please download Pure Music 2.0.2 which was released today. This incorporates a correction for an issues involving DSD playback.
and iTunes Keep Folder Organized…and Copy files… were both unchecked before doing the DSD Add step.
2. They need to be kept that way. Note, this setting will not affect ripping CDs.
- Your installed RAM (4 GB) is less than the recommended amount of RAM for playing high resolution DSD files. As stated in the Pure Music User’s Guide, and on our website:
“8 GB or more preferred for high resolution playback (88.2 kHz or higher sample rate).”
- The DoP Flag setting should be 05FA. If, while launching Pure Music 2.0.2 you see a message that says (AAAA) then you need to change this.
Open the Audio Setup window.
In the Special Options tab, note the DoP Flag setting.
If it is AAAA, hold down the Option (not Command) key on the keyboard. Click the DSD Streaming Device check box.
This will toggle the DoP Flag setting to 05FA.
Click the DSD Streaming Device check box again, to re-check it.
Click the Click to Apply Changes button, and you will be all set.
However, at this point I would recommend doing the following before proceeding:
Shut down (not restart) your computer and power cycle (off - on) your DAC, including briefly unplugging the connecting cable between computer and DAC (while both are powered down).
Note: this DoP Flag setting has been set to 05FA by default since Pure Music 1.88, which was released November 2012. However, for anyone who had Pure Music before that, the default setting of AAAA would have been carried through as a Preference setting, unless it was subsequently changed by the user to 05FA.
Thank you,
Rob Robinson
Channel D Support
rogerdn said
Rob, do you have the latest version of PM, Rob (of PM ) said there was a bug in original issue. Here is the e mail he sent, I was able to get mine playing DSD.Roger --Hello Roger,
- Please download Pure Music 2.0.2 which was released today. This incorporates a correction for an issues involving DSD playback.
Thanks so much for that! Might very well be my issue. I’m running 1.89, or something like that.
Since I was able to get some sound out via PM, but it had the hiss, perhaps then this latest release will clear that up.
I’ll keep ya’ll posted.
rogerdn said
3. Your installed RAM (4 GB) is less than the recommended amount of RAM for playing high resolution DSD files. As stated in the Pure Music User's Guide, and on our website:“8 GB or more preferred for high resolution playback (88.2 kHz or higher sample rate).”
On the RAM I just upgraded to 8 but it was playing fine with the four.
Rob H. saidrogerdn saidRob, do you have the latest version of PM, Rob (of PM ) said there was a bug in original issue. Here is the e mail he sent, I was able to get mine playing DSD. Hello Roger, 1. Please download Pure Music 2.0.2 which was released today. This incorporates a correction for an issues involving DSD playback.Roger –
Thanks so much for that! Might very well be my issue. I’m running 1.89, or something like that.
Since I was able to get some sound out via PM, but it had the hiss, perhaps then this latest release will clear that up.
I’ll keep ya’ll posted.
I never tried DSD on 1.89 but thinking it does it. I prefer Amarra SQ so have not used PM 2 much yet but it seemed pretty bug free once I got 2.0.2.
Roger –
I downloaded and installed 2.0.2. Even though I’ll have to shell out another $75 for the upgrade, it seems to have handled the DSD files well with this version. No chokes, no hissing.
Thanks for the insight. I really appreciate it. I’m not one who likes to troubleshoot an expensive stereo. I’d much rather listen.
Rob
Rob H. said Roger --I would love to get rid of my computer/Mini for play back, that's why if the SQ is up to it I'll get an Aries, but that might be hard to do.I downloaded and installed 2.0.2. Even though I’ll have to shell out another $75 for the upgrade, it seems to have handled the DSD files well with this version. No chokes, no hissing.
Thanks for the insight. I really appreciate it. I’m not one who likes to troubleshoot an expensive stereo. I’d much rather listen.
Rob