USB pops during playback

[ematthews]

Apple laptop connected via usb to my Parasound Integrated amp. It is making pop noises during playback. Any ideas why??? Thanks

 

[TLS Guy]

Apple laptop connected via usb to my Parasound Integrated amp. It is making pop noises during playback. Any ideas why??? Thanks

Obviously there is a bite rate/Sampling frequency incompatibility between source and the playback device resulting in decoding errors.

 

[ematthews]

Obviously there is a bite rate/Sampling frequency incompatibility between source and the playback device resulting in decoding errors.

Ok. So how would I correct this? When I apply the same connection to my Marantz SA8005 USB input I have normal playback with no issues. I can disconnect the same cable plug it into the Parasound and I get the popping.

 

[TLS Guy]

Don't know. Instructions in the manual are sparse. It seems designed for Apple products primarily. I do note that it says it is only compatible with USB version 2.0. May be your Apple PC is an earlier or later version.

Also you must make the Parasound the primary audio device in your PC set up menu.

1. Go to the Apple menu 2. Select “System Preferences” 3. Select “Sound” from the Hardware menu 4. Select the “Output” tab 5. Select “PARASOUND - Digital Audio” in the Sounds menu 6. Close the Sounds menu

When using the Parasound with Apple PCs then the Parasound should sort out the correct bit rate and sampling frequency.

Also this is what the instructions say about the USB cable quality and length.

USB Cable Note: Inexpensive USB cables that are longer than 12’ (4m) are often unreliable and could cause audio drop outs. If a longer USB cable is required, a higher quality USB cable might offer more consistent results.

If you are certain you have met those requirements and still have the issue then you have yet another fault with a Parasound unit.

Certainly what you describe is a decoding error. This is either a set up issue or a faulty DAC.

 

[ematthews]

Thanks TLS. I have met those requirements. I need to check my lap top. It’s A 2015 model Apple Pro. I am using the USB cable provided with the Parasound unit which is only about 8-10 in long. While hooked into the Marantz, all is OK. Going to retry a few things and update this post tonight. If this is in fact a Parasound issue I have to say I am done with their products!! And this isn’t the same P5 unit that I had all my prior issues with. This is a brand new Halo.

 

[ematthews]

And if so.... I’m buying a Marantz unit from DefTec. I high end Japan made unit.

 

[TLS Guy]

And if so.... I’m buying a Marantz unit from DefTec. I high end Japan made unit.

I think I have found your problem. Your Parasound only supports USB 2.0. Your laptop is USB 3.0.
I figured there was some incompatibility issue. I feel pretty certain your problem lies in this area. Here is some info on the problem.

 

[ematthews]

You are correct. Just sent Parasound Technical an email to ask about this. Thanks again.

 

[PENG]

Usb3.0 is not the issue. My MacBook pro never have issues with any of my DAC including the cheap ones, and I have quite a few. Most usb DACs are still on 2.0

I'll read the manual when I get home, before saying anything else.

 

[ematthews]

So just note*** This is the Halo Integrated Amp. Not the P5 pre amp.

 

[TLS Guy]

So just note*** This is the Halo Integrated Amp. Not the P5 pre amp.

The Halo was the manual I downloaded. Either the unit is faulty or it is a USB issue. As you can see from the article I copied you there can be issues going from USB 3.0 to 2.0

 

[ematthews]

The Halo was the manual I downloaded. Either the unit is faulty or it is a USB issue. As you can see from the article I copied you there can be issues going from USB 3.0 to 2.0

Right. I update as soon as I hear from Parasound. Thanks everyone for the info.

 

[sterling shoote]

Try another laptop, you'll then be more certain of the origin of the problem.

 

[<eargiant]

Apple laptop connected via usb to my Parasound Integrated amp. It is making pop noises during playback. Any ideas why??? Thanks

Pops & clicks usually have to do with latency. Try increasing the buffer size.

 

[TLS Guy]

Try another laptop, you'll then be more certain of the origin of the problem.

That is a good idea, but it will have to be another Apple device. Windows has to have ASIO drivers downloaded. Making the first connection for audio can at times be tricky. I have to use ASIO drivers on my current DAW and had to use them previously. In addition you have to download drivers specific to the Parasound unit in order to USB stream from Windows. So it would not be that simple. The unit is designed for Apple PCs primarily.

 

[TLS Guy]

Pops & clicks usually have to do with latency. Try increasing the buffer size.

I doubt that is the problem, as his laptop works with a Marantz unit via USB.

The processor is a: -

• 2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.4GHz, with 6MB shared L3 cache

There is 16 GB of RAM. That is over specked for what he would be streaming. I really doubt the problem is with the Apple PC.

I think this is almost certainly a small company having a lot of trouble making products in the advanced digital era. Sadly this is all too common. Product development requires much deeper pockets than it used to.

I'm pretty sure the OP has uncovered an incompatibility issue that is at the bottom of his problem. I think he will be very lucky if he gets this resolved.

 

[PENG]

I think I have found your problem. Your Parasound only supports USB 2.0. Your laptop is USB 3.0.
I figured there was some incompatibility issue. I feel pretty certain your problem lies in this area. Here is some info on the problem.

If he has the older Macbook pro such as my 2014-15 version, USB 3.0 is not a problem. All my DACs are based on USB 2.0 and they all work with my Mac laptop's USB 3.0 and Dell laptop's windows USB 3.0 As far as I know it is a downward compatible thing. There really that many USB 3.0/3.1 DACs out there, may be a handful. His Marantz SA8005's USB is also 2.0 and he said it worked.

If he has the newer Macbook pro that has the USB-C connector then there could be issues but even then I am quite sure all he needs is the right kind of cable.

 

[PENG]

Right. I update as soon as I hear from Parasound. Thanks everyone for the info.

You said your SA8005 worked with the same Macbook pro laptop right? If so, the Halo integrated should work too. Did you use the same cable in both cases and played the same music files?

What year model is your Macbook pro, the newer one has USB-C type connector so in that case it could be a cable/connector related issue. If it is the model before 2017 then it should be fine.

Did you use iTune or a 3rd party media player? Did it make the noise with all our music files or only certain files? I read the manual and there really isn't anything special especially with Apple OS X, it should just work if you follow those simple steps described in the manual, no need to download any drivers as would be the case with windows PCs.

 

[TLS Guy]

You said your SA8005 worked with the same Macbook pro laptop right? If so, the Halo integrated should work too. Did you use the same cable in both cases and played the same music files?

What year model is your Macbook pro, the newer one has USB-C type connector so in that case it could be a cable/connector related issue. If it is the model before 2017 then it should be fine.

Did you use iTune or a 3rd party media player? Did it make the noise with all our music files or only certain files? I read the manual and there really isn't anything special especially with Appl
e OS X, it should just work if you follow those simple steps described in the manual, no need to download any drivers as would be the case with windows PCs.

I'm pretty sure that his Parasound is rogue. Most likely it is not detecting the extra USB 3.0 connections and signalling to the PC it is 2.0. Whether it is host or receiving device a USB 2.0 device has to signal to the 3.0 device, so that the 3.0 device acts as a 2.0 device. I suspect this is what is not taking place with his Parasound unit.

 

[ematthews]

You said your SA8005 worked with the same Macbook pro laptop right? If so, the Halo integrated should work too. Did you use the same cable in both cases and played the same music files?

What year model is your Macbook pro, the newer one has USB-C type connector so in that case it could be a cable/connector related issue. If it is the model before 2017 then it should be fine.

Did you use iTune or a 3rd party media player? Did it make the noise with all our music files or only certain files? I read the manual and there really isn't anything special especially with Apple OS X, it should just work if you follow those simple steps described in the manual, no need to download any drivers as would be the case with windows PCs.

Yes the Marantz works. The MacBook is a 2016 model with 3.0 USB. Same cable and same song running from ITunes. I’d try my wife’s macbook but I believe this is a 2011 model with older USB.
I really hate the thought of having another issue with an entirely different Parasound product. I sent Technical an email. I’ll post what they have to say when they reply.