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Pops/clicks with Aurender N100H + McIntosh C47 combo

I have had a N100H for several months an was using it feeding a Peachtree Nova500 without any issues. I recently replaced the Peachtree with a Mac C47+Wyred4Sound SX-1000R setup. Unfortunately, no matter how I change the settings in the Aurender (Fade In/Out, Time Delay, etc.) I get a sharp pop or click whenever I pause a track (streamed or played from the internal drive.) It wouldn’t be too big of a deal except that it is volume-dependent. When playing at higher levels, I’m concerned at the click may cause enough distortion to actually damage a driver in my speaker (likely the tweeter.) My short-term workaround is to always mute the C47 before I pause the track on the N100, but this is a serious pain and inconvenient....especially as my I’m not the only user of the gear. Another family member might forget to mute first and then....’bang!’  I've also noticed I can get the clicks sometimes when the resolution changes from one track to the next.

Has anyone else encountered this problem? Where you able to eliminate it? My only two options that I can think of now are to 1. swap the C47 for a different pre/dac combo or 2. swap the N100 for something like the Lumin U1 Mini.

I’ve already spent more than I had budgeted for this system so any changes suggested need to be equal or less to the $ I already have committed. Any help would be appreciated.

BTW...I emailed Aurender support and still haven’t gotten a response (3 days.)
jkscherk

Showing 9 responses by jkscherk

jkscherk OP
43 posts
 
Spent an hours or so going back and forth between the Eitr providing signal to C47 over coax(from the USB out on the N100) and straight USB out from the N100 to the C47.  Sometimes I thought I heard a slight difference and other times I couldn't tell any diff.  When the difference was there, it was so minor and nuanced that in my opinion, having another piece of gear with another cable inserted into the chain is probably worse than just going straight.  So in this case, I'm deciding to not use the Eitr and keep it simple.  I might upgrade my USB cable and see what diff that makes.  Currently using an Audio Advisor Pangea cable.
jkscherk OP
43 posts
 
I think trying a different cable is my next move.  Now if there were only a few more choices. :-)
jkscherk OP
43 posts
 
I just did a bit more digging.  All 3 of the big brands are Linux-based platforms:  Aurender, Auralic and Lumin.  I can't believe someone isn't using one of these with a McIntosh DAC.
jkscherk OP
43 posts
 
Dave-I was aware that the Aurender is a Linux-based machine.  Maybe therein lies the problem as the C47 doesn't explicitly say it is compatible with Linux.  The only setup steps you can make for USB on the C47 are actually on the source device (a Windows-based PC).  A MacOS-based machine requires no setup.  I do have another source connected, but it only has coax or optical outputs, no USB.  I have confirmed the coax output on that device doesn't cause any issues when hitting pause.  I do have a Mac Mini with music on it and I could connect it to the USB input on the C47 to see if I get the same clicks.  Not a long-term solution but I guess it would tell me if switching out the Aurender would solve my problem.

Did you use your N100H with a C47?  Or did you just look at the manual to assist with my inquiry?

John
jkscherk OP
43 posts
 
I contacted McIntosh.  They basically told me it was Aurender's problem to solve and to use a different output type (i.e. coax, optical, etc.)  They also said the USB input is meant for computers where drivers can be used to manage the communication;  its not meant for media players.

Aurender on the other hand has been very helpful.  First, they made an adjustment to the output level of the N100 to address a known issue with some DACs attenuating the input level from the Aurender (the Mac is a known culprit.)  Second, they offered to push a beta firmware out to address the clicks/pops as they've heard of this problem from other users.  That hasn't happened yet but I'll provide an update when it has.

If the firmware update doesn't fix it, I'm ordering a Sciit Eitr USB-SPDIF converter and gonna call it a day.  I really like the Aurender interface and a ability to hold music locally if desired. So I'm not really interested in changing my player out unless I'm forced to.  I don't stream or own anything that goes beyond the 24/192 limit of SPIDIF input anyway.  In fact, some people argue that the SPDIF approach sounds better than the USB transmission method.  We shall see.
jkscherk OP
43 posts
 
Aurender solved the problem.  I had extensive email exchanges with their Technical Support Manager;  awesome guy.  Turns out I'm not the only one whose had issues.  They had heard of the same problem from other customers.  He asked if they could push a beta firmware to my unit as that version has fixed the issue for others. Bam!!!  Problem solved.  It eliminated the problem for almost every instance.  I have heard the click only once now and it was at a greatly reduced level, and that was only when the resolution switched from 96 to 88...which is a rather seldom occurrence.  All clicks from pausing and skipping tracks are gone.   I'd consider it fixed.

There is also a somewhat common occurrence of DACs attenuating the output of the Aurender by as much as 70%, resulting in you needing to turn up the volume quite high on your pre to get to listenable levels.  Yep....the Mac is an offender there as well.  The Aurender team can go into thee machine and adjust the level to compensate.  So they did that as well!

All-in-all....I gotta say this is a quality team and responsive to boot.  Glad I didn't just jump ship to Lumin or something else without contacting them.
jkscherk OP
43 posts
 
The only other one I'd consider would be Lumin.  All depends if you need onboard storage.
jkscherk OP
43 posts
 
The app is pretty straightforward.  Sometimes it can be frustrating how switching from local music to Tidal for example will change your underlying view;  you'll understand when you see it and get used to it.  I'm still tempted to try the Schiit Eitr USB-SPDIF converter to see if I can elevate the performance a bit more.  I haven't read much feedback of how good the Mac USB implementation is.  Given my recent experience, my guess is they focused on other parts of their DAC so maybe the coax input could be better!?
jkscherk OP
43 posts
 
So I did order and install the Eitr from Schitt.  Unfortunately between work and travel I've had no time to sit down and compare it v. the Mac USB connection.  Hoping to get some time over this weekend.
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