SMSL SU-9 Ultra crackling sound on cold start

[rmur]

Hi there!

I recently acquired an SMSL SU-9 Ultra, and it produces noise instead of sound during cold starts (it seems like an unsupported sampling rate is being selected). Interestingly, if I switch to a lower sampling rate (for example, 352,800 Hz), the sound returns, but there are clicks at the beginning and end of the audio signal.

Restarting the DAC using the remote control doesn’t help; the only solution is to unplug the power cable. The problem occurs if the DAC has been off overnight. The most interesting thing is that this scenario cannot be reproduced if you turn off the DAC for a couple of hours along with the PC. I also tried turning it off at random moments for a couple of tens of minutes, restarting the PC, etc.

Has anyone else encountered this issue? What is the likelihood that the problem lies with the PC?

 

[MaxwellsEq]

Interestingly, if I switch to a lower sampling rate (for example, 352,800 Hz), the sound returns, but there are clicks at the beginning and end of the audio signal

What happens if you operate it at native sampling rate such as 44kHz?

 

[rmur]

What happens if you operate it at native sampling rate such as 44kHz?

It was the same thing. However, I still thought that the problem was more related to the DAC initialization, since Bluetooth was working fine during these interferences.

Eventually, using USB DeView, an old device was detected that also seemed to have used XMOS drivers at some point. The device was removed. Additionally, damaged Windows files were repaired. Since then, the issue has not been observed.

I hope this might help someone else. Thank you for participating in resolving this issue.

 

[MaxwellsEq]

Eventually, using USB DeView, an old device was detected that also seemed to have used XMOS drivers at some point. The device was removed. Additionally, damaged Windows files were repaired. Since then, the issue has not been observed.

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

 

[rmur]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Unfortunately, after 3 days the problem appeared again. I turned on the device today and everything repeated itself.

Regarding your question: at 44100 Hz, there is sound without interference, but there is a slight, barely noticeable click after the sounds end. The other frequencies work every other value, meaning 44100, then 88200, then 176400, etc. (Frequencies 48000, 96000, 192000, etc. have interference.)

Bluetooth works properly during this time. However, is the device likely defective?