Just got the MacBook Neo and plugged in my JDS Element 4 and the results were not good

[okrelayer]

Hey guys, you all know WAY more about audio than me. But I thought I would come talk to you fine folks!

I have the JDS ELEMENT 4 and I've used it through my iPad Pro, and MacBook 12 inch from 2017 and all has been well. I just purchased the new MacBook Neo and plugged up the JDS and.. lots of popping noises. I tried the second usb c port less popping but still there, back to the first port pop city, back to the second diet pop. Still there but less..

is this possible? lol. Am I loosing it? I've tried a few troubleshooting things but I didn't get very far. Any help or insight would be great!

 

[staticV3]

Hi @okrelayer! Welcome to ASR.

That sounds really hardware specific, but not entirely surprising considering the Neo's peculiar hardware setup.

Honestly I think Apple's and JDS' Customer support will be able to help you most.

A JDS Synapse or SMSL PO100 2024 may help with the pop noises, though the latter would get rid of the default macOS volume control.

 

[SHB]

This sounds like a hardware issue.

Since Core Audio is supposed to handle everything, it’s not a driver. You may need to check for a firmware update to the DAC.

Definitely have to check with JDS Labs tech support.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

It's more likely to be on the Mac end than the DAC end given that it hasn't had an issue to this point, IMO. The Neo appears to be a great value but compromises had to be made to hit that $599 price point. A handset SOC running a desktop OS with a USB config that seems . . . different. Full disclosure - not a "Mac guy" (or a hater), just comparing what I see in the press releases vs what I've shopped in the past.

 

[SHB]

Just saw that some USB hubs don’t work with the Neo so the issue isn’t just your box.

I hope this is something that a firmware patch can fix because it really will suck if that’s an unresolvable issue.

 

[staticV3]

Apple has had issues with USB audio ever since they switched to their own silicon back in 2020.

It's surprising that they're still not on top of this six years later.

 

[middlemarch]

The SOC in this machine only has a single real USB port. Not sure what they did to provide two on the outside of the machine. Have you tried both ports? Slow and fast? Was anything else plugged into the second port when you experienced this?

It could well be you've run into one of the real restrictions of this machine. It's not for everybody, and it's not up to what the rest of the machines in the line up are capable of. On the other hand I've not heard of Iphones using the same SOC having issues driving the USB port.

 

[jseaber]

@okrelayer - Thanks for reaching out via email yesterday. Have you had a chance to try increasing DPLL? That can help with jitter tolerance, and it's worth ruling out before digging deeper.

That said, what you're describing is consistent with USB buffer underrun. When an incoming audio stream doesn't arrive on schedule, the sample buffer drains and you hear an audible discontinuity or "pop". The MacBook Neo's USB implementation is new territory, but I am surprised as iPhones/iPads handle UAC2 audio well. I may order a Neo to gather a better understanding.

 

[okrelayer]

I ended up returning and getting a MacBook Air- sounded perfect! Thanks guys