I’ve been communicating with Alex @ support, but maybe some bright minds here on the forums can help out as well. This is what has been happening when trying to connect the NPC to my laptop:
Before installing the USB driver, I connect the NPC to the laptop and then I enable USB at the front panel. Then when I try to install the USB driver, I am faced with the message: “Setup requires that the device is plugged in…” (attached screenshot) It seems the USB driver setup program is not recognizing that the NPC is already connected to the computer and enabled.
The only way I was able to install the USB driver on the laptop was to disconnect the NPC, connect my Perfect Wave DAC, and then run the USB driver setup program. The setup program recognized the PWD was connected and proceeded with the driver setup. USB driver is now installed. Then I disconnect the DAC and reconnect the NPC. That is when I get the code 10 error “device cannot start” (see attached) and the NPC is listed in the device manager with the yellow exclamation point. (see attached)
When I uninstall the NPC through the Device Manager and then try to reinstall it, I’m faced with the message that the “best driver is already installed”. (see attached)
One question I have, is when did you download the driver you are trying to use? If it was before september 16 2013, you might try downloading it again. That is when we upgraded the driver for the NPC. Unfortunately the version number is the same due to it being a third party driver.
Ouch! More version naming issues. Even though it may be a challenge, a new version REALLY NEEDS to have a new name. PLEASE!!! Some sort of unique identifier, even if it is just the file name (last resort). Software is challenging enough without adding multiple variants under the same version number. Certainly, if you can build it you can name it.
Paul McGowan said: Make sure you try 96kHz/24 as well. I prefer this to 192kHz. I know the immediate reaction is to go to the highest level first, but i think you may find a better sound by going a bit lower.
It is very common for 96/24 to sound the best. This issue began being discussed in pro-audio starting roughly ten years ago and continues.
The prevalent theory is ADC/DAC chips simply do not work as well at higher rates and, in essence, lose control at these speeds. That is, there is a trade-off between speed and accuracy.
I am planning to install the USB drivers this weekend. Right now I have an old laptop with only USB 1.0. I was hoping to use this for a while to get a sense of how ripping vinyl works with the NPC. (I will probably get a new, audio-only computer soon.) I guess that 1.0 will work at some level, since PSA provides fallback drivers. If it's slower than 2.0 I can live with that -- but will SQ of my vinyl rips be affected? Any special installation tips for USB 1.0?
I would try:
Make sure the port is USB 2.0
Uninstall the current NPC devices through device manager.
Run the PS Audio driver setup program.
When the program gives the “Setup requires that the device is plugged in” message, connect the NPC
No luck here. After following your checklist I get this error message. Downloaded the USBAudio2.0DriverLatest.zip again just to be sure.
Alex had wanted me to check the USB firmware version from the NPC front panel, which is 00.15
The NPC firmware is correct, Have you tried installing the driver a second time. I had this happen one during development, and loading the driver a second time fixed it.
:(( Bummer. That’s no good. Can you put it to my attention please? I personally looked and tested each of those units and they were perfect as I could tell leaving the office. I would immediately like to see what happened. My apologies for this problem. I don’t blame you for being disappointed.
I was going to suggest the same, but it was clear our esteemed colleague has had enough. Your point by point is better than what I would have done however.
I, too, encourage one last try however. While I rarely have such issues, Windows can be fussy with USB connections.
I downloaded the USB driver today and encountered the exact same problems as @radioclash. I thought my old laptop might have USB1.1, but did some googling and found that I do indeed have USB 2 (the driver is called “enhanced” which seems to indicate 2.0). So that’s not the problem. I have Win7, SP1 installed. According to Device Manager my USB drivers are up to date.
This is Not Good. I will try again later when I have time. The steps given by Gordon don’t seem quite right, because if I try to install the driver it won’t install, demanding that the NPC be plugged in before it will continue (even if it is plugged in). Any other suggestions?
If it requests to the device be plugged in, do so. This is not uncommon, although often not necessary when installing a USB driver. The major thing to take from Gordon’s suggestion is to reboot. This clear/sets devices.
After the installation, connect the unit and turn it on. Then start the Windows Device Manager and confirm it is installed and connected.
It may well be something with the NPC firmware as Radioclash’s computer would install the driver fine with his PWD connected. This points to an NPC issue.
Has anyone with an iApple been able to use the NPC?
I have mine wired about ready to go (have not yet tried music), but on first try MIDI does show ‘PS DAC USB In’, but if it’s like my PWD that’s no certainty it will play
Bravo, have phono staying in Ana all the way to my Classe 800 preamp, SQ is very, very nice, warm, no damn digits, but this is my first high end phono amp and just getting back to vinyl so not much to compare to. Good start, will try digitizing over i2s to PWD and see. Using stock pwr cable for now.
