I will have to do a teardown and look at the architecture to see if it has a dedicated analog volume control or it is done in the DAC somehow. For now, I would not worry about either reducing fidelity.Yes, the one on the dac, that is controlled by the joystick on the front.
I will have to do a teardown and look at the architecture to see if it has a dedicated analog volume control or it is done in the DAC somehow. For now, I would not worry about either reducing fidelity.
Here is what I have found as far as what produces noise in my D50:
1) Power: desktop
Data: desktop
Result: audible noise
2) Power: desktop
Data: laptop
Result: audible noise
3) Power: laptop
Data: laptop
Result: no noise
4) Power: laptop
Data: desktop
Result: audible noise
5) Power: 5v phone SMPS
Data: desktop
Result: audible noise
6) Power: 5v phone SMPS
Data: laptop
Result: no noise
So, my desktop computer seems to be the root of my problems lol a bit problematic as it is where my music library lives. Perhaps it just has very noisy USB ports. I am by no means an expert, so any thoughts would be appreciated, but my thinking is that if it were a ground loop, the issue would persist in the SMPS. My desktop, D50 with the SMPS, and amplifier are all plugged into the same Furman PST-8D power conditioner.
Good idea that, I've been wondering if the Power line is required. It might not work because most need at least a handshake, some DACs don't require power beyond that while others don't require it at all.
Have you tried using a powered hub between the desktop and DAC?
There is a easy solution (if it is your power supply line causing the noise problem). Look for a usb cable like this one:
View attachment 11600
I am not recommending you buy this one. Just using it as an example. The 2 USB type A connectors connect to one USB type B connector. One of the A connector has only data line, the other A connector only has +-5 v connection. You separate the data and power input. One can source the power from a battery. Again, this set up will not solve your problem if the noise is from your data line
From my testing, there is noise over both the data cable and the power cable, but I can see if taping the power line on the data cable stops the noise on the data side. I am hearing the classic beeping/chirping as I move my mouse around.
Yes, I extensively tested the USB interface starting with this post: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...nts-of-topping-d50-dac.2403/page-3#post-68354Amir, not sure this has been asked before but is the USB linearity about the same as the SPDIF linearity on this DAC? Cheers
but I can see if taping the power line on the data cable stops the noise on the data side.
I said in the TODO thread almost 2 weeks ago, and it still holds true. I MAY buy an EL DAC soon(within the next 2-3 weeks), it depends on if something comes through or not, if so, after a bit of time to play with it myself, I would be willing to send it in to get tested. He's got enough of a backlog of things to get through as it is though that I don't personally see much of a rush to buy and ship itI do wonder how the EL Dac performs compared to the Topping. Maybe someone will send one in to Amir (although I expect it to be roughly the same as the OL Dac, but I do wonder about its linearity).
Sure would be cool to compare the EL DAC to D50.Please do try this! I would love for this DAC not to need any power from the USB cable would just be the cherry on the cake if I decide on buying it (which I probably will seeing how it compares to other big brands wow!). I do wonder how the EL Dac performs compared to the Topping. Maybe someone will send one in to Amir (although I expect it to be roughly the same as the OL Dac, but I do wonder about its linearity).
Sadly my Topping DX7 remote did not work with it so to change the volume you have to be sitting close to the unit.
HI there and welcome to the forum. As to your question, I don't know. I will do a teardown at some point and see if there is an IR receiver. My sense is that Topping would retain compatibility with their other remotes so likely there is no IR receiver.Hello Amir, thank you for taking time and effort to make this review and measurements of this interesting device!
Was it the case that DX7 remote is not compatible with D50 or D50 doesn't support IR volume change?