Stereo channel issues?

[Quazar]

Please excuse me if this is the not the area to post this question; first time poster.

 

Recently upgraded most of my electronics about a month ago with no installation issues; at least it seemed so. Have the following setup: Synology NAS=>Windows 10 PC running foobar 2000=>USB to Cary Audio DAC 200ts=>Balanced output into Pass Labs INT-150.

 

 

Just happen to go into the Windows sound part of control panel and checked the channel tone generator. The left channel tone play through both channels and the right channel was very muted. I even did a test of left/right tones using audiocheck tone generator and each channel played through both speakers. Everything seems fine listening to music through foobar, but not totally certain. Checked connections, disabled all other audio devices, checked channel levels in Windows, connected to different computer but still had similar results. Don't recall having this issue with previous equipment but maybe need to test.

 

Question is, is this normal or is something else occurring? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

Tim

[AlainGr]

Hi Tim,

 

I have a NOS1 (Non Oversampling) dac and I use XXHighEnd as the player software to upsample up to 768khz (multiple of 48khz) but most of the time it is at 705.6khz (multiple of 44.1). When upsampling at 705.6, it uses "double speed" to implement that feature. I wonder if you adjusted your dac to that sample rate ?

 

If so, can you try to reduce the sampling rate just to see if that cures the situation ? Try to test at different sampling rates to see...

 

Regards,

 

Alain

PS: I made a quick check on the Owner's manual that is on Cary website for your dac. Have you installed the proprer driver for the dac ? http://www.caryaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/DAC-200ts_manual.pdf

(Page 26)

[Quazar]

Alain

 

Thank you for the input.

 

Yes, I did install the Cary driver. I even removed and re-installed it to no avail.

 

I will try different sampling rates to see if that cures the situation. I think I am also going to re-connect my previous system to see if I have similar results with those Windows test tones. Never tested it on prior system.

 

Thanks again

Tim

[AlainGr]

Hi Tim,

 

Don't forget to tell us the results

 

Good luck !

[Quazar]

Unfortunately, after re-connecting my prior integrated amp, but maintaining the Cary DAC, no change in issue. Also, tested left/right channels with test files in foobar and each respective channel is evident over both channels. So it seems that either the DAC or the XMOS USB driver is combining the stereo channels into one mono channel. Maybe I need to contact Cary.

 

Would greatly appreciate the input from anyone with a similar experience or other thoughts.

 

Thanks

Tim

[AlainGr]

Hi Tim,

 

I assume you have tested with different sample rates with the Cary (I mean the sample rates that you can change from it, not foobar).

Hope you will have this problem solved soon, but I am quite sure that Cary support should promptly point you to a solution...

 

Best,

[Quazar]

Alaine

 

Yes, have tried differing sample rates. No change.

 

One thing I just noticed after double checking everything; the B connector that goes into the DAC, while all the way into the unit, does wiggle quite a bit and a portion of metal part of B connector does not go all the way into the plug. I purchased the Viablue USB cable new and maybe that is the issue. Will have to order another cable to double check that.

 

Thank you again.

Tim

[AlainGr]

Do you have another cable around ? Even a printer cable may tell if it has the same behavior or not... ?

[Quazar]

Alain

 

Unfortunately, I disposed of all my extra computer cables a few months ago because did not think I would need them.

 

Last night, just for further testing of system, I reinstalled the OEM Realtek software and connected PC to DAC via optical. Everything worked as expected and the channel issue was corrected. Obviously, this setup uses the onboard DAC and software rather than the Cary, but at least I know rest of system is OK.

 

Will order another cable to see if that works.

 

Thanks

Tim

[Jabs1542]

Unfortunately, after re-connecting my prior integrated amp, but maintaining the Cary DAC, no change in issue. Also, tested left/right channels with test files in foobar and each respective channel is evident over both channels. So it seems that either the DAC or the XMOS USB driver is combining the stereo channels into one mono channel. Maybe I need to contact Cary.

 

Would greatly appreciate the input from anyone with a similar experience or other thoughts.

 

Thanks

Tim

 

Will the DAC work at lower resolutions (i.e. Redbook) using the computer's USB driver? This may help determine if the XMOS USB driver is causing the problem. I assume you would select the driver in the player software (I'm not familiar with foobar).

[Quazar]

Jabs1542

 

Do not have any other USB audio driver on PC except the XMOS from Cary. So, unfortunately, cannot isolate the driver itself to see if this is causing the issues. Unless there is a way that I do not know of. Any ideas would be welcome and appreciated.

 

Thanks

Tim

[Quazar]

After re-checking settings, re-installing driver software, substituting cables and even the amplifier, I am still having the issue of each channel playing in mono. Contacted the company to explain the issue, and maybe they did not understand my explanation, they thought everything was fine and explained that each channel was "bleeding" into the other through the pre-amp, which is normal. Since this is my first foray into using an external DAC, I have a question for those more experienced.

 

Is it normal for digital audio using an external DAC to play in mono? It does not seem correct to me and I think there is something wrong with the DAC but then I am new to this.

 

Thanks

Tim

[AlainGr]

Hi Tim,

 

I am surprised that they answered this ? An external dac will not play mono unless the signal that is sent to it is mono.

 

If it is possible for you, maybe you could connect your dac with another PC or laptop, just to see if that situation is still happening... Or try with another dac, even your sound card, using the same software player. At least it will tell you if the problem is replicated.

 

Regards,

[Quazar]

AlainGr

 

Thank you.

 

I did connect the DAC to two different Windows-based PC's and have the same issue. The only thing I cannot isolate is the DAC itself and the driver. Unfortunately, do not have another DAC to try. Did, however; connect the Cary DAC via optical using the Reaktek OEM software in Windows and everything worked as expected. It is the USB connection, using the Cary supplied XMOS USB driver, that I am having this issue.

 

I just wanted to ensure this was not normal before I actually sent the DAC to them to be reviewed.

 

Thanks

Tim

[gmgraves]

AlainGr

 

Thank you.

 

I did connect the DAC to two different Windows-based PC's and have the same issue. The only thing I cannot isolate is the DAC itself and the driver. Unfortunately, do not have another DAC to try. Did, however; connect the Cary DAC via optical using the Reaktek OEM software in Windows and everything worked as expected. It is the USB connection, using the Cary supplied XMOS USB driver, that I am having this issue.

 

I just wanted to ensure this was not normal before I actually sent the DAC to them to be reviewed.

 

Thanks

Tim

 

 

Yeah, Tim, I think you've pretty much narrowed it down to defective hardware. Best to let Cary sort it out. Good luck!