Static Bursts through USB Dac

CanadaJ · Oct 22, 2018

Hello and thanks in advance for any of your responses!

I'm putting together an audio system and want to play my digital collection of music (all 24bit FLAC files) from my laptop. I have an NAD amp, some BW speakers, and a USB Dac (JDS Labs ODAC).

I'm getting some random bursts of static through my speakers when I use the USB Dac. If I connect the DAC via the headphone jack (it has both options), there are no static bursts. This seems to be a USB problem only.

Any ideas what could be causing this?

Julien

InvalidError · Oct 22, 2018

My guess is that the laptop-USB-external amp+speakers connection is creating a ground loop and the "static" you are hearing is common-noise that gets picked up by the ground loop, much like how some audio setups are more susceptible to "GSM/GPRS noise" than others - basically interference from digital wireless devices during packet bursts.

CanadaJ · Oct 22, 2018

Thanks...a bit concerning as I really want a digital hi-fi setup.

Is it even possible to have a digital setup like this using a USB DAC? Seems to be lots of articles talking about this kind of setup. Is this a common problem? Might look into a streamer (Sonos) if that's the case, but would have to get a new DAC.

Any options here?

InvalidError · Oct 22, 2018

To check if a ground loop really is your problem, unplug your laptop's power adapter and any external devices other than your DAC and the external speakers/amplifier connected to it. If the noise goes away or is at least significantly less, then you know the ground loop is a significant part of your problem.

If your laptop and amplifier are plugged into different power outlets, try reducing the size of the ground loop by plugging both in the same power strip. If you are using a TV or other form of external monitor, plug those along with anything else they are connected to on the same power bar as well.

CanadaJ · Oct 22, 2018

Thanks,

To simplify things, I connected my DAC to my Audioengine speakers. The laptop is not plugged in, however the speakers and the DAC are plugged in;

USB: Same problem with random static bursts
Headphone jack: No static bursts

Is this a common USB problem with digital audio? Would it be same to assume that it's not the DAC itself since the jack connection seems to work without static?

It should also be mentioned that I ran this system for a few months without these problems.

CanadaJ · Oct 22, 2018

Strange thing I just noticed...

I have RCA out cables. If I switch the left and right, the static moves to whichever speaker is connected one of the RCA cables. If I switch the on the DAC's output, it changes as well - seems that it could be one of the DAC's RCA output connection?

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Static Bursts through USB Dac

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