Hi,
I use the Oladra in the G3 version with the DAC 200 from T&A.
The following ‘problem’ has repeated itself with me:
I built a new hi-fi cabinet and rebuilt it here and there. When the Oladra is on and I unplug the USB cable from the DAC, then plug it in again and switch the device on, music is played, but the music sounds totally empty. If I then shut down the Oladra, turn the DAC off and on again, then turn the Oladra on, the sound is full and audible again. Can anyone tell me what is happening?
How could communication between the devices be improved? In any case, it would be nice if everyone could show off their skills.
When unplugging cables from any Antipodes Audio music server, it is recommended to switch the server off via the front button, then change the cables, then power on the server once changes have been made.
No cable on an Antipodes Audio music server is hot swappable.
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I noticed that having the DAC 200 powered up when the Antipodes server is powered on is best. I wouldn’t expect good results from hot swapping.
I rearranged things on my rack last night and panicked when no music was coming from the speakers. Both Squeeze and Roon acted like they were playing the track but “No Data” was displayed on the front panel of the dock. All was good after restarting my server with the DAC powered up,
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Ok, thanks for the answer. However, I am interested in the phenomenon that music is played but does not sound at first. It only starts to sound when I turn down the Oladra and DAC, then turn on the DAC and then turn up the Oladra.
I had the same problem after the first setup. At first I thought that something was wrong with the DAC or that the devices could not see each other properly.
I then had the dealer install the latest update on the DAC. I thought that had something to do with it. But in the end it was a simple disconnect and reconnect. Suddenly the sound also had a radiance. As you can imagine, I was initially disappointed. But I had enough confidence in the design of the devices. On the other hand, it can happen that the devices don’t understand each other or can’t communicate properly. I know from stories that T&A then programmed something extra, for example, and then everything worked. I had initially thought of something like that. In the worst case scenario, when I’ve saved up a bit, I’ll have to change the DAC and probably go for Ideon.
As Kenny suggested, turn on the DAC first, wait a few seconds, then turn on the streamer. I have the issue of the streamer not “seeing” the DAC with either of my DAC’s if the streamer is turned on first.
Once setup you should leave both on 24/7.
There is an option with the T+A DAC200 to turn off the display after a few seconds of no input change if you are concerned with the display/meters being on continuously.
And you have not heard the T+A DAC200 properly if you haven’t yet fed it DSD files.
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I agree, the DSD technology on the DAC 200 was also one of my purchasing decisions. However, there is also a ‘problem’ here. I had set the Oladra to ‘native’ as part of the setup so that I could listen to a few selected DSDs later. But there were immediate problems here. Only when I switched to DoP did the devices work well together. Of course, I can still play albums in DSD… But if I understand correctly, the DAC doesn’t play through the section made for it? Maybe that’s not true either?
What software are you using to play back? With Roon I am currently playing DSD512 files with the DAC 200 into the K50 with native, but Roon is picky, and I do have some DSD files that don’t play. My limited understanding is as long as the file originated from a 44.1 base sample rate it works just fine. If you are using Roon, you have enabled the max sample rate?
With Squeeze all of the DSD files play- try Squeeze and see if that works.
Perhaps I may ask again, quite naively, whether I should also shut down the Oladra before changing Lan-cables?
I do use Roon, yes.
How should I put it, I don’t automatically think DSD is good, at best the technology is used in the music production process itself. I just wanted to say that😅.
As I’m currently happy that everything runs via DoP, I don’t really want to make any changes.
I don’t want to go into too much detail now, but initially I had set it to native, but there were problems, to put it kindly.
But thank you for the tips, I will certainly take them to heart.
I have swapped LAN cables many times without shutting down. No issues.
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Quoting @watts:
“And you have not heard the T+A DAC200 properly if you haven’t yet fed it DSD files.”
I will add my two cents: you have not heard what this DAC is capable of if you haven’t yet fed it music properly scaled to DSD512. It takes it to a much higher level. Astonishingly so.
DSD64 has limitations so DSD get it’s bad wrap from that. DSD256 is where the magic begins to happen. The DAC 200 offers a pure path for DSD that so that’s another advantage. Transparency can be stunning.
I respect that - you should do what makes you happy. I think what @watts and I are trying to say is that your DAC has the potential to bring you even better sound quality. It’s the level of improvement that audiophiles might be inclined to spend a good chunk of change to achieve. So should the day come when get the itch to take further steps to improve sound quality, the DAC you already own can give you that.
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Thank you, that’s kind of you, I understand what you mean. I just have reservations about changing anything on the Oladra or setting it natively.
Which albums would be particularly worthwhile in DSD format from your perspective?
I’ ve been referring to the case of upscaling to DSD512. I can make every album in my library more worthwhile if I use PGGB to do this. But if you want to hear how great DSD can be without performing any scaling, check out the following two albums. You should be able to play either even when configured to use DoP.
Tone and timbre from these two are in another league compared to most recordings. This should provide insight into how good higher rate DSD can be.
I just started playing the Cannonball album. First time I am hearing it from the DAC 200. Outstanding.
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Danke, klingt spannend. Ich werde ein Konto erstellen, wenn ich die Gelegenheit dazu habe. Sie könnten es auch interessant finden:
Also have a look at the series ‘Closer to the Music’ 1-6 by Stockfisch Records!