TOPIC:

Hi guys I have a Dirac 88a connected via a Denon x5200 to 2 Nakamichi power amps, I'm using all 8 Dirac channels, my setup is connected using my original phono to phono leads, I have been getting a loud popping sound quite a few times a night recently. Has anyone had this issue on the 88a if so is there anything you could recommend me trying.

Thanks, Chris.

rhubarb4 wrote:

Hi guys I have a Dirac 88a connected via a Denon x5200 to 2 Nakamichi power amps, I'm using all 8 Dirac channels, my setup is connected using my original phono to phono leads, I have been getting a loud popping sound quite a few times a night recently. Has anyone had this issue on the 88a if so is there anything you could recommend me trying.

Thanks, Chris.

Is the popping happening randomly when you are listening to the system? Or is it when you are powering the 88A of and on?

Can you clarify what you mean when you say your connections are using the "original phono to phono leads"? There are only two ways to connect the 88A, either using unbalanced (RCA) cables, or balanced (XLR) cables. Which are you using?

I have been using the 88A for over six months and have never heard a single popping sound. I leave it powered on all the time.

Hi Austin thanks for the reply, I'm using RCA cables which are good quality leads as I dont have XLR on my Denon only RCA out. I was using the existing RCA cables to connect the setup before I added the Dirac, I bought another 8 of the sane to add the Dirac. It only makes the popping sound when watching films or listening to music etc, it doesn't pop when switched on or off only when in use with films/music.

Thanks, Chris.

rhubarb4 wrote:

Hi Austin thanks for the reply, I'm using RCA cables which are good quality leads as I dont have XLR on my Denon only RCA out. I was using the existing RCA cables to connect the setup before I added the Dirac, I bought another 8 of the sane to add the Dirac. It only makes the popping sound when watching films or listening to music etc, it doesn't pop when switched on or off only when in use with films/music.

Thanks, Chris.

That does not sound normal. Let's see what the DevTeam has to say.

Hopefully they can help

@ Chris,

We've indeed haven't heard of this before. The only thing we could potentially think would be saturation (input or internal) of the DDRC-88A.
Do you happen to know what are your levels at the input of the DDRC-88A? e.g. Source and jumper setting.
Once we get this info combined with the configuration that you're running inside it (i.e. would need the project file), we could try to get more data on your configuration.

Feel free to create a tech support ticket (minidsp.desk.com) to share all these files. That's the communication path with our team for any tech support issue.

DevTeam

Hi Dev Team I will have a look when I get back from work today, I know that the dip switches inside the unit are set to unbalanced as I'm using the RCA's and the source is my oppo 103. Last night with my system switched on but nothing playing as my TV was off it also popped. What do you mean by the levels at the input please and how would I find that out.

Thanks for your reply, Chris.

@ Chris,

Very odd indeed. I wonder what this could be.
Would you mind to please create a tech support ticket with our CS team? (minidsp.desk.com)
We can take it from there to get all the project files and such to troubleshoot a bit more. Thanks.

DevTeam

Maybe worth trying to do a full reset on the unit to see if that fixes the pops?

Hi I have done a full reset and powered off the unit and since then it has not popped, I was going to do a tech ticket but since it's not popped again I'm hoping the full reset cured it, thanks for the info and il repost in a few days to give it time to see if it happens again.

Hello
I don't know how old this thread is, but I am experiencing the same issue with my ddrc -88A. It happens randomly, maybe once a month, it starts popping quite loud, in every loudspeaker randomly (not in all loudspeakers at the same time) about 1 or 2 pops per second, not in a regular pattern and independently of music playing or not. It starts immediately at power on, and turning the unit off and on usually stops the problem. Sometimes I need to do off -on several times before it stops popping. It obviously never pops when power is off.
What is this?!
Thanks for your help.

Believe me when I say we have kicked this horse (problem) until we were bleeding. Not everyone has experienced this issue ... Its a HUGE downside to this processor - but alot of progress has been made towards fixing it... Many of us have been accused (for lack of a better term) of incorrectly setting up the measurement sequence - which leads to some type of clipping distortion(popping sounds)

All I can say from my experience is that your going to have to be extremely precise in how you setup and take your measurements...

Im still experiencing popping from time to time but it comes and goes,,,, When it goes its the BEST sound Ive ever heard ...The other night I tried a new measurement because I added new curtains to my room ... Following what i thought to be a very precise protocol for setup and measurement.... after 2 months of pop free sound - the new measurement was FULL of the sort of crackling sound you and several others describe - SO it's not just you ...

I quickly returned to my previous setup file (saved in Windows) and Im back to normal...such as it is

One thing I strongly disagree with (causality) and DEV TEAM cannot explain is WHY the crackling continues to happen even without a signal playing.... Common sense says signal clipping = distortion popping sounds - No signal popping sounds should stop - this is not the case...
Crackling sounds continue even when music is off....

Some setup tips to try and get you going - Some of these are obviously my own guess work but may help ....

1. Try a different USB port to connect your unit to,,,, my own suspicions are that the USB communication signal is introducing this distortion - I have not done any extensive testing to confirm this theory but Im very intuitive with trouble shooting electronics and I think the USB communication driver may be an issue....
2. Your initial MIC / GAIN setting may be suspect - the recommended setting is just under -24db . I have noticed that lowering this to about -30db greatly reduces your probablility of having the popping sounds.... Watch the signal meter as your setting this MIC GAIN ... I noticed mine peaking above -24db so i lowered it to -30...
3. In the individual channel settings with Pink noise , you must also be careful to not set these too high especially the LFE or Subwoofer channel 3 ....try setting them just up to the green part of the scale ...

So try these lower settings to begin with.... DEV TEAM has a DLL file they can send you which may help as well....

You may be asked to provide your config files to DEV TEAM...

Please keep us informed as to the progress of your issue and anything that specifically seems to cause or helps resolve this issue

Thanks....

DEV TEAM - I randomly read reviews of the DDRC88 and found this article which is obviously related - Again I disagree that this is entirely a setup / configuration issue....

Emotiva XMC-1 7.2-Channel AV Pre/Pro Reviewed - "The Downside
I think I've already covered most of the concerns that buyers might have about the XMC-1. There were a few other little ones (a few pops here and there, especially when starting SACDs), but a pre-release copy of the upcoming firmware for the XMC-1 nipped those few concerns in the bud."

devteam wrote:

@ Chris,

Very odd indeed. I wonder what this could be.
Would you mind to please create a tech support ticket with our CS team? (minidsp.desk.com)
We can take it from there to get all the project files and such to troubleshoot a bit more. Thanks.

DevTeam

Im sorry .. " VERY ODD ?? Are you trying to say you have never heard of this issue prior to this post ????? It is well documented....

rts100x5 wrote:

Im sorry .. " VERY ODD ?? Are you trying to say you have never heard of this issue prior to this post ????? It is well documented....

You quoted a post from 19 months ago.

Has the dev team found a solution during these 19 months?...
I don't see any other explanation to this than a firmware problem.
I have no USB connection during use.
It happens independently of music playing or not.
It stops with on-off operation, without changing anything else (settings, connections etc).
Update Firmware please!