Hello everyone,
I am having a slight issue with headphone output hum and background noise. Allow me to go into more details with what I experience.
Source (10 years old sony F11 laptop) -> usb > pre box ds2 digital > 1/4 jack adapter to 3.5mm > audio-technica ath es88 > ears > brain
As soon as I turn on DS2 I start hearing hum and noise even if USB not connected and no signal sent:
- background noise
- hum like cash counting machine on a same db level
- most prominent between 7-9 nob indicator and after 3.
- the noise and hum does NOT increase or change with turning the volume nob to max. It actually gradually decreasing after 9 up until 3 ocklock and then it goes to same level as in the beginning.
- Audible it in the music.. because black is no mo black, it is grey now, subjectively speaking.
When I run ATH-ES88 from my laptop 3.5mm it is silent as it can be no noise at any volume level.
When I feed from DS2 > fixed rca out > old akai amp> headphones. I can hear very slight noise at high power (no music being fed) nothing extraordinary.
I powered pre box ds2 into wall outlet and into surgeX, same story.
Pre box ds2 runs on 1.02 firmware and I think there are updates. I don't know it can fix this.
Some inside photos at the last page
Suggestions are welcomed.
Thank you
test track:
I am having a slight issue with headphone output hum and background noise. Allow me to go into more details with what I experience.
Source (10 years old sony F11 laptop) -> usb > pre box ds2 digital > 1/4 jack adapter to 3.5mm > audio-technica ath es88 > ears > brain
As soon as I turn on DS2 I start hearing hum and noise even if USB not connected and no signal sent:
- background noise
- hum like cash counting machine on a same db level
- most prominent between 7-9 nob indicator and after 3.
- the noise and hum does NOT increase or change with turning the volume nob to max. It actually gradually decreasing after 9 up until 3 ocklock and then it goes to same level as in the beginning.
- Audible it in the music.. because black is no mo black, it is grey now, subjectively speaking.
When I run ATH-ES88 from my laptop 3.5mm it is silent as it can be no noise at any volume level.
When I feed from DS2 > fixed rca out > old akai amp> headphones. I can hear very slight noise at high power (no music being fed) nothing extraordinary.
I powered pre box ds2 into wall outlet and into surgeX, same story.
Pre box ds2 runs on 1.02 firmware and I think there are updates. I don't know it can fix this.
Some inside photos at the last page
Pro-ject Pre Box DS2 DAC & Pre-amp Review
I also don't understand Project's catalogue and pricing. For example, I had a Project Maia integrated amp which seems to have all the features of this preamp plus Class D amp modules, all for around the same price. But Heinz L. seems to be doing fine so I defer to his business acumen. Didn't...
www.audiosciencereview.com
Suggestions are welcomed.
Thank you
test track: