• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Topping D90 Balanced USB DAC Review

I need to power off (back switch), disconnect/reconnect USB connection to the computer
Usually, when I see such a behaviour to an electronic device, I'm thinking that the cable itself or the plug might have a problem; sometimes the connector soldered on the PCB might get broken. I have exactly the same situation like yours on a Hikvision NVR on the HDMI connector; it does this since Day1, which was back in 2017. Maybe this year I'll get out the PCB and solder that HDMI connector better...or maybe swap it with a new one.
 
Usually, when I see such a behaviour to an electronic device, I'm thinking that the cable itself or the plug might have a problem...

I tried swapping to many different cables, and the same issue occurs. Also, the same kind of problem occurs with other USB devices, so it likely isn't the D90 either. Rather, the problem is with Apple and flawed detection of connected peripheral devices in general (HDMI connections tend to be more reliable, while USB, bluetooth, etc., are dodgy).
 
I tried swapping to many different cables, and the same issue occurs. Also, the same kind of problem occurs with other USB devices, so it likely isn't the D90 either. Rather, the problem is with Apple and flawed detection of connected peripheral devices in general (HDMI connections tend to be more reliable, while USB, bluetooth, etc., are dodgy).
When this happens it might be worth trying restarting core-audio from the terminal. Paste this in:

ps aux | grep 'coreaudio[d]' | awk '{print $2}' | xargs sudo kill
 
My MacBook Pro recognizes my D90 (MQA version with AK chip) about 60-70% of the time...other times, I need to power off (back switch), disconnect/reconnect USB connection to the computer, and then re-start the D90. This always works for me, although it is somewhat of a hassle.
I have a similar problem with my D70s and my Mac Mini. The frequency of the problem is less and a toggle of the rear on/off switch usually solves it.
 
When this happens it might be worth trying restarting core-audio from the terminal. Paste this in:

ps aux | grep 'coreaudio[d]' | awk '{print $2}' | xargs sudo kill

Tried this before, but it is not a core audio issue. Instead, there is a deeper issue with Mac and USB peripherals that transcends type of device. There is basically some kind of fundamental flaw in Mac OS when it comes to USB device detection/connection that they never bothered to fix. I have the same issue with USB monitor connections, USB printer connections, USB scanner connections, USB keyboard connections, other types of USB audio devices (MIDI), etc., etc.. I bought my first Mac in 1994 and it had a SCSI connector that worked flawlessly, however, once USB was introduced there was always this same problem across many subsequent generations of Mac computers. It seems to be worse when the computer is frequently disconnected and moved to different environments with different peripherals, but also occurs when the Mac never moves and is always connected to the same USB peripherals. The only solution is unplugging and replugging, and/or cycling power on the connected device(s), and in the worst cases a restart of the computer is needed when it simply refuses to register a USB connection. I often teach in large auditoriums, run events involving many presentations, etc., which usually requires connecting a laptop (often a Mac) to a projector...we always use HDMI in these cases to avoid time-consuming delays/problems in connecting.
 
Tried this before, but it is not a core audio issue. Instead, there is a deeper issue with Mac and USB peripherals that transcends type of device. There is basically some kind of fundamental flaw in Mac OS when it comes to USB device detection/connection that they never bothered to fix. I have the same issue with USB monitor connections, USB printer connections, USB scanner connections, USB keyboard connections, other types of USB audio devices (MIDI), etc., etc.. I bought my first Mac in 1994 and it had a SCSI connector that worked flawlessly, however, once USB was introduced there was always this same problem across many subsequent generations of Mac computers. It seems to be worse when the computer is frequently disconnected and moved to different environments with different peripherals, but also occurs when the Mac never moves and is always connected to the same USB peripherals. The only solution is unplugging and replugging, and/or cycling power on the connected device(s), and in the worst cases a restart of the computer is needed when it simply refuses to register a USB connection. I often teach in large auditoriums, run events involving many presentations, etc., which usually requires connecting a laptop (often a Mac) to a projector...we always use HDMI in these cases to avoid time-consuming delays/problems in connecting.
I don't have any such problems with USB.

I have had a recent issue with some apps locking up and also disconnecting my DAC - but that has turned out to be a be (I think) with Rogue Amoeba Soundsource - or more likely the ARK support app. Before I diagnosed this my only solution when it happened was a restart.

To be fair to RA - they are claiming the problem is with core audio which causes sound source to lock up and then take down other apps using sound.

I'm currently trialling a pre release version to see if the issues stop.

With the problems you are having with USB, I'd start with turning off all third party plugins, apps, drivers etc. My experience suggests the problems are not inherent to Mac on its own.
 
I don't have any such problems with USB...With the problems you are having with USB, I'd start with turning off all third party plugins, apps, drivers etc. My experience suggests the problems are not inherent to Mac on its own.

I've been using Apple computers since 1985, an owner of more than a dozen different Macs since 1994, an Apple Developer since 2000, a user of every MacOS that ever existed (even trialed NextOS before Jobs went back to Apple), and I've dealt with tens of thousands of cases of Mac connectivity problems with my students, co-workers, and guests concerning USB peripherals on their Macs over decades. It is an enormous sample size. I never bothered to collect exact statistics, however, I'm not making this up...we learn to deal with it, and move on.

This isn't the only persistent Mac issue that Apple never fixed. One that I find hilarious is the progress bar, the "estimating time remaining..." has always yielded wild forecasts that are often orders of magnitude different from reality. It was this way as far back as I can remember, and still persists today after more than 4 decades. Again, they just never bothered to fix/improve it. Why? I don't know. They simply ignore certain things, including any complaints they might receive. And if one contacts them, they will mutter about "third party plugins, apps, drivers etc." ... passing the buck, which never stops being passed. It isn't something to get upset about, or to waste time trying to solve, just laugh and move on...
 
Back
Top Bottom