TOPIC: Cracking noise over AES :-(

Hi everyone,

I've just bought the SHD Studio, and am trying to use it as a digital pre-amp into some active speakers. I'm using AES (one AES cable to each speaker), and there's a terrible crackling sound that comes through the tweeters which makes music unlistenable. I've tried different inputs (LAN, toslink), but the crackling shows up on all of them. I haven't even run Dirac yet, just trying to get this to work in the most basic way first. Volumio(1.062)/firmware(1.19)/plugins are all totally up-to-date.

Does anyone have any ideas what might be up?

Thanks,

Earik

This is probably a stupid question, but are you definitely using digital inputs on your speakers and not balanced analogue (XLR) inputs?

Yes, the correct inputs are *definitely* being used. 110ohm AES cables and everything.

Thanks,

Earik

This certainly is not ok. Either the studio or the speakers do have an issue.. Did you try another device as source for the digital inputs of your speakers before? Or do you have some other device that you can digitally feed wit the studio‘s output to check if this works?

You should update the firmware of the the SHD. There is a 1.21 IIRC. But I do not think this will help. Also you can upload the dsp code again from the SHD plugin software again.

If this does not help I would contaft the support.

Gert

Hi Gert,

Thanks. Yes, I'm going to locate another AES source to test the speakers to make absolutely sure, but all their other inputs work fine, and I'm doubtful they're the issue. I didn't see 1.21. I'll go look for it, as well as try re-uploading. I did open a ticket, but haven't heard back yet.

Regards,

Earik

you find the firmware on the minidsp.com page when being logged in. Under your name in the upper right corner in the menu item UserDownloads. Here under SHD series (in case you have redeemed your voucher). It is included in the SHD Software for Dirac 3.x download. See the manual for instructions.

Thanks. I've upgraded to plugin 1.14 and firmware 1.21, refreshed the DSP, and the crackling is still there. Tested out all the other inputs on the speaker (digital and analog), and they're all working just fine.

Have you tried using a different digital output on your SHD Studio to connect to your speakers, or a different cable for the AES/EBU (AES3) connection?

Edit: or indeed tested the cable you have been using with different hardware?

I haven't tried swapping out the cables, although I might do that if I can't figure out what else is up. They're Mogami Gold 110ohm AES, so it's pretty reliable stuff. I have tested the cable with different hardware though (on the analog inputs), just to be sure, and it sounded fine. The speakers don't have spdif inputs, or I'd try that just to see. I did think about buying a spdif/aes converter to test, but I think either case would still point back to the SHD studio as the problem, so haven't done that.

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. I was bummed about the crackling issues, but am feeling better now that I know there are so many helpful folks here.

Earik

Just a quick question,

I am considering the SHD, but issues like this are not reassuring.
There is two users currently posting on this issue with no Dev support.

Can I ask, does the SHD come with a plugin, or do you need to purchase this software.
Like this: www.minidsp.com/images/documents/Product...%20ADV%20plug-in.pdf
I am looking to run a 2way active crossover.

Many thanks.

This is a user forum, Devs occasionally post news here but if anyone wants support they should read the bold text above this topic.

If you purchase an SHD you are able to access the User Downloads section with all the required software freely available to download.

Steve.

Hey audiouser,

The devs haven't posted here, but they have been helping me privately through the ticket system. So don't worry about support. Between them and this forum, there's lots of help available.

I still haven't sorted my issue, but they suggested that since I'm sure the XLR inputs work, and since they're sure the AES outputs on the SHD work (they say they do a 3-day burn in and triple test before shipping), the current plan is to get a 3rd party DAC and run the AES outputs through that, which will definitively tell us whether the issue is on the speaker side or the SHD side. So even though I'm stuck, I do feel like progress is being made. Will post back once I know whether it was the SHD or not...

Earik

Maybe both sides work but there is an incompatibility between them. So after the test you may still not know who the culprit is. I am curious to see what the result of the test will be.

Great to know.
Thanks

Best of luck with the issue.
With an external Dac I would be interested to hear the result.

Have you tried the Spdif output?

I haven't tried the spdif outs. Is it safe to mix/match those two things? I know you can't go AES->spdif because the levels are too high, but is the other way considered ok? I do happen to have a cable that would fit....