Hi.
I have this problem from time to time since I received my UPP in late 2017 (Wow! Was it THAT long ago?). I don't know what causes it and I don't know what fixes it. While I have the problem, I can't play high bitrate files.
I have the latest firmware. Source is a dedicated music PC with an Amanero card. Software source is regularly-updated JRiver. Output Format Sample rates are all set to Output "No change".
Standard 44.1kHz CD files play fine. 9219 flac plays fine and the UPP display shows a sample rate of 192.0kHz. Other lower bitrates play fine too.
For any higher bitrates the DAC Mute LED is on:
2259 dsf shows a sample rate of 11.289 MHz. Amanero Status Sample Rate is shown as "Unsupported".
16934 wav shows a sample rate of 352.8 kHz. Amanero Status looks OK. DAC Mute still on though.
16934 dsf shows a sample rate of 2.822 MHz but Amanero status Sample Rate is shown as "Unsupported". Pictures 5 and 6.
11289 dsf shows a sample rate of 5.645 MHz but Amanero status Sample Rate is shown as "Unsupported". Pictures 7 and 8.
I'd really like to get to the bottom of this problem!
Thanks!
Is this the first gen Preamp I presume ?
The Preamp does not support PCM sample rates above 192 kHz or DSD above 256(11.289 MHz).
Thanks for the reply.
I don't think this is a problem with the bitrates not being supported because they've all played before and DAC Mute is ON for files that are supported.
For example, the first 2 images show the display on a track of a Willie Nelson album I purchased 4 of months ago and have played successfully a few times. JRiver shows a sample rate of DSD64 (1x), Bitrate 5644, file type dsf.
Strangely, I was messing around with the Bitstreaming and Prebuffering settings in JRiver, and after returning them to "Yes (DSD)" and "6 seconds" respectively, the first track played for a few seconds and stopped. I left it playing while I was writing this and the sound started dropping in and out with DAC Mute flickering all the time. Sample rate flickers between DSD-64 and Unsupported. Playing around with the JRiver settings could be irrelevant.
Same with another DSD64 track I ripped from an SACD a while ago.
Earlier when I tried an 11289 dsf track, DSD128 (2x), DAC Mute was on permanently. Now I'm getting sporadic sound. DAC Mute is flickering and the sample rate is flickering between DSD-128 and Unsupported. Eric Bibb images.
Maybe the problem is something JRiver or the PC is doing.
Hopefully the problem will go away as it has done before.
Did you set it up according to this ?
https://analog-precision.com/forum/wiki-and-qa/using-jriver-with-the-ultimate-preamplifier/
Also I have had trouble with dropouts from slower PC's and Laptops which are not able to keep up even when playing pcm files.
Thanks for the link. I hadn't seen that before.
I don't have any higher bitrate PCM so the sample rate changes aren't relevant. It appears that my problem is with DSD files. I have a lot of DSD64 ripped from my large collection of SACDs. The display shows
DAC Source Preamp(Multi-Ch)
Input Source USB
Sample Rate 2.822 MHz
DAC Lock is ON but DAC Mute is ON also.
The Amanero Status screen shows DSD Enabled as "Yes" but Sample Rate as "Unsupported".
Today I don't even seem to be able to get intermittent audio.
I put this dedicated music computer together in 2017. Relatively old now but DSD64 has been fine most of the time as have the few files I have of DSD128 and DSD256. I just checked to make sure no unwanted processes are running. When playing DSD64, CPU utilisation sits at 2% most of the time.
When I get time, I'll try a different computer.
The other thing you may want to look at is the 26-way IDC cable connected from the Amanero isolation board to the main DSP board. I have had one with intermittent contacts due to residual solder flux on the pins or it could be bad connection to the crimped ribbon cable. You may want to remove it and spray some contact cleaner or I like to use CRC-226 as a cleaner/lubricant. Otherwise if you have a spare IDC cable you could substitute that ;)
Thanks. I'll give those a try too.
I installed JRiver and Combo384 Amanero drivers for Windows 10 1067 in the new Windows 11 home theatre computer I built recently and copied across all my music.
On playback the result is the same as from my custom-built Music Server: DAC Mute is on for any bitrate > standard CD.
I'll try opening up my UP sometime in the next couple of weeks.
Hi. I removed the 26-way IDC cable connected from the Amanero isolation board to the main DSP board. All prongs on the USB and main board sockets are spotless.
So, I made up my own cable. The result is the same; PCM is fine (even 176.4kHz and 192kHz) but no ability to play DSD of any bitrate.
I originally though the problem was related to the bitrate but now I realise that the problem is with DSD.
I've tried 2 different computers and Foobar2000 set up for DSD as well as JRiver.
Any more suggestions please?
What version of the Preamp is it and what is the firmware revision from the menu ??
The Preamp is an early UP I purchased in October 2017. I updated the firmware recently. I couldn't work out how to get the firmware version from the menu so I used UPCP.
Version images attached.
So, to summarise, when playing any sample rate DSD the DAC Mute LED is always on. The correct sample rate is displayed but while the Amanero Status screen shows DSD Enabled, it also shows Sample Rate as "Unsupported". I've had the problem intermittently since 2017 but now I've had it for a couple of months. I've no idea what triggers the problem or why in the past the problem has gone away.
I'm happy to pay freight both ways and for your time if you're happy to look at it. Or, if you can suggested a particular module, I could send you that.
Can you try and update with this version of the firmware
https://analog-precision.com/forum/firmware-updates/firmware-update-210513-1335/
The later versions have not been tested on the UP1 so it's best to stick to this one.
Regarding the hexadecimal codes from the Amanero Dh,Eh and Fh are not supported. Can you play some other formats from Jriver and verify that you are getting the following codes.
0h = 0000b -> "32 KHz",
1h = 0001b -> "44.1 KHz",
2h = 0010b -> "48 KHz",
3h = 0011b -> "88.2 KHz",
4h = 0100b -> "96 KHz",
5h = 0101b -> "176.4 KHz",
6h = 0110b -> "192 KHz",
7h = 0111b -> "352.8 KHz", (Displayed "Invalid")
8h = 1000b -> "384 KHz", (Displayed "Invalid")
9h = 1001b -> "DSD-64",
Ah = 1010b -> "DSD-128",
Bh = 1011b -> "DSD-256",
Ch = 1100b -> "DSD-512", (Displayed "Invalid")
Dh = 1101b -> "Unsupported", (Displayed "Invalid")
Eh = 1110b -> "Unsupported", (Displayed "Invalid")
Fh = 1111b -> "Unsupported" (Displayed "Invalid")
regards
david
Hi David,
I downloaded and installed firmware-update-210513-1335.
I've attached a table of the sample rates that I have. I don't have many 88.2kHz files but that sample rate could always be mapped to something else in JRiver.
With this firmware version that my UP makes clicking noises when in standby model.
Thanks and regards, Dave.
Hi Dave
Can you confirm the following firmware version you updated to is:-
Firmware Version: 181009-1539
Firmware release date: 08-Jan-2018
Tested On: UP1
Also can you list the codes you are seeing in the Amanero status menu as you change the sample rates.
regards
david
Hi David,
The version I updated to was from the link you provided above: https://analog-precision.com/forum/firmware-updates/firmware-update-210513-1335/. I've reinstalled 181009-1539.
Sorry, the code field on the display had never registered before. I've attached an updated table. The code for DSD256 is red but very faint.
Thanks, Dave.
Hi Dave
Can you send me that table. I assume it is in Excel.
I think I know what's going on.
Regards
David
Here you go.
OK I have added another column for the codes in binary and you can see that the third bit is always stuck high so the DSD modes get translated into unsupported modes where the software will always mute the preamp. Other modes will be translated as well not giving the right indications on the front display.
You may have to disassemble the Amanero/isolator board (screwed from the bottom of the chassis ) and first check the connections between that and the isolator board. If you PM me your email address I will send you the schematic of that board so you can trace the connections (look at F2 on the Amanero side and DIO10 on the DSP side). Because I hand solder the IDC connectors there can sometimes be a residual bit of flux that can may affect the connections if it hasn't been cleaned off. You may need to spray the connectors with some contact cleaner or I like to use CRC-226. Alternatively the Amanero board maybe flaky but check the solder joints on the IDC headers on both boards. Also it is possible that it is stuck high on the DSP board but first check on the Amanero side.
regards
david
Thanks to David for giving me debugging directions. Problem is probably a dodgy connection of pin 112 of the DSP chip to the main PCB. Prodding the pin with a very fine probe seems to have fixed it for now.
I use a company in Perth to solder very large surface mount ICs for me when I have projects that require them. If the problem recurs I'll take my UP to them and get them to resolder that joint.
Quote from: dch53 on January 19, 2023, 12:36:32 PM
Thanks to David for giving me debugging directions. Problem is probably a dodgy connection of pin 112 of the DSP chip to the main PCB. Prodding the pin with a very fine probe seems to have fixed it for now.
I use a company in Perth to solder very large surface mount ICs for me when I have projects that require them. If the problem recurs I'll take my UP to them and get them to resolder that joint.
Hi Dave
If you have access to a high mag viewer check the relevant pins of the QFP chip to check that the leg is not floating above the pad by wiggling it a bit with a very fine dentist pick. I usually reflow these pins with a hockey stick type iron tip and some flux.
regards
david
Thanks David. If the problem recurs I'll do that. I'll see if I can get a hockey-stick bit for my soldering iron.