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Distorded sound with Tidal

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Sorry for the long post (and for English mistakes, I normally speak French) - If anyone can help me with my technical issue it would be very appreciated! But since this community shows an extraordinary level of knowledge, I am taking my chance!  I tried posting my problem on ROON forum with no success.

ISSUE DESCRIPTION. When streaming Tidal on my system, on some tracks I hear some disturbed trebel (let say in the area of 4KHz +/- 1KHz). It is difficult to describe - it reminds me the sound of dirty (dust) needdle playing a record. For example, I hear that crysp on Ella high notes. I also hear it on some cymbals (rides, for example). Sometimes it is more obvious; sometimes it is subtle.

PATTERN. I have not been able to identify a pattern on when it happens. It could be on 16/44, on 24/192, and everything in between. It seems more frequent on MQA (what ever the resolution). Week ends, week days, day time, night time, none seem to have influence (I was thinking power grid pollution)

EQUIPMENT

Tidal HIFI + FLACs on hard drive
NUC I7 (7th) with ROCK/ROON, USB connected to:
IFI micro I-Link USB to S/PDIF converter (24bits/192KHz capable), connected to S/PDIF of:
Audio Alchemy DDP-1 (Preamp and DAC + external power supply), driving A and B:
A: Audio Space AS-3I (tube amp EL-34) integrated amp that drives Reference 3A MM speakers
B: MiniDSP (low pass @ 80Hz) that drives Simaudio W4150 solid state amp that drives DIY subs

POSSIBLE CAUSES
-ROON Issue: Tested Tidal outside ROON (on a laptop) - no improvement
-Faulty Speakers (tweeters). Tested two other sets - no improvement
-Faulty DAC/Preamp - tested with a different DAC (Moon 100D that can only accept 24bits/96Khz) - no improvement
-Faulty amp - tested with a solid state amp - no improvement
-Faulty USB converter - not really tested but streaming directly from a Lumin M1 shown the same problem - no improvement
-Faulty NUC - tested streaming from a laptop - no improvement
-Noisy outlet (AC supply) - tested a few power cords ($100 to $200 each) + connected to different outlets + added power conditioner ($400ish) - SURPRISE! 50% improvement mainly due to using a different outlet in the same room ($2 type of outlet).

  • I also tested streaming directly and from my NUC to a Lumin M1 at my cottage (different power grid, different network, different speakers) - no improvement perceived
  • I tested streaming from my hard drive (tested different quality) connected to the NUC - the result is no issue, no distortion - only distortion in Tidal.
  • I tested streaming from Spotify (highest quality but still a low streaming rate compared to Tidal) - the result is no issue, no distortion
  • LAST TEST: in ROON I decreased Tidal quality from HIFI to the next lower level (forgot the name) - distortion seems to be gone completely or almost (but I am loosing overall sound quality).

HELP
I suspect a mismatch between equipment but I am surprise to hear the same issue with different equipment (Lumin M1) in a different location (my cottage). I also suspect that the internet quality and supporting hardware may be the cause (low speed at the cottage and poor CAT5 in-wall cables and poor switch at home).

Do you have any suggestion for the cause or a test to propose?


explorateur
explorateur OP
39 posts
 

To Steakster,

===========

Out of curiosity, I just played from Tidal:
- Biko (Peter Gabriel)
- Dear Rosemary (Foo Fighters)
- Summertime (Ella & Louis)

On my system, everything sounds fine - even the specific passages that you mention. This is a result of years of cleaning up the power. It was a long and winding road. I completely empathize. When you install the LPS’s, the SQ will start improving

==========

Well, you were right all along. I really believed for a moment that those three tracks were poorly recorded. With the LPS in place they sound just great. Like you said, it seems really be about cleaning up power (at least in my specific case). But I must say it - seriously, my system is fragile/sensitive with respect to power. I am 54, used to be a DJ in night clubs and sound tech touring with live bands and I can still ear the impact of every changes I make related to power… I would like to believe it is only perception/subjective but it is more than that for sure.


Thanks again for your help.

steakster
1,794 posts
 
@explorateur Just paying it forward. Over the years, I’ve learned much here on AudiogoN. Better living through better music.
.
explorateur OP
39 posts
 
This is an old post but I wanted to document my solution for the issue I described 12 months ago.  After multiple failures, small gains but not perfect, I found the problem and solved it once for all.  

It seems that every time I tried to control the volume in the digital domain (ROON, Computer, etc.), as soon as I went lower that 70%-80% (not sure exactly), I started inducing some noise, distortion, artefacts - subtle but real.  I no longer control my volume in the digital domain (fixed volume or 100%) and only control it through an analog preamp.  Problem solved.

I still cannot tell why my system is so sensitive to that issue but the best sound I can get is through bit perfect, no digital attenuation, no DSP in ROON.  That i7 computer driving ROON is now very idle...
jond's avatar
jond
5,657 posts
 
explorateur typically digital volume controls shave off bits to reduce volume so you are certainly hearing a reduction in resolution and sound quality the lower you move the volume control. It's not that your system is particularly sensitive that would be the case in any system, glad you finally realized it!
explorateur OP
39 posts
 
@Jond

I was really starting to be frustrated.  I even bought a multiple thousand$ AC filtration with average results - sold it with profit (could have been worse). 

All good now!
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