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HELP USB to DAC = Loud Bursts of Volume

Okay, I have a Macbook Pro and a Bel Canto Dac 3. I have gotten intermittent loud bursts of volume when I am connected via USB. This has happened 3 times at least in the last month. The volume setting on my Dac/Pre has not budged and I have no idea what is causing this. It just all of sudden goes to like MAX volume. I quickly turn the amp off or unplug the usb to avoid damage to my speakers.

I have never had this problem when I stream wirelessly from Airport Express to the Bel Canto's optical input.

Anyone have any idea what is going on? I called Bel Canto and they have never heard of such.

HELP
restless_times

Showing 3 responses by michaelct

michaelct
27 posts
 
I have exactly the same set up, and exactly the same issues.

I can only tell you that each time this has happened, I've touched
the MacBook Pro, and received a sometimes barely perceptible static
shock ( but sometimes the static shock was very perceptible and almost
lit up the room! ).

I intend to contact the nice people at Bel Canto about this
for their advice. If I reach them before you do, I will file a report here.

It is *very* disconcerting, and I was afraid each time that I might
have damaged my speakers.

Can you recall any of the actions/symptoms I've outlined above?
michaelct
27 posts
 
A follow-up to my previous post, which is awaiting approval ...

This sudden volume 'up' has nothing to do with which tracks
happen to be playing, or wireless, or anything else, I'm 99% sure.
It's happened to me at least a half-dozen times, and only at
moments when I've touched the MacBook Pro, while music
is playing.

I do think it might have something to do with the MacBook Pro's
aluminum casing, and a build-up of static electricity. But that's
only my best guess at the moment.

It really is the darndest, and strangest, and scariest thing.

Tweeters still intact, so far,

Michaelct
michaelct
27 posts
 
Ckorody -- thanks for the tip.

I think both of us plan to move to Mac Minis in the near
future though, which, given the circa $200 price tag
for the USB-to-optical-and-back-again cables,
probably makes the most sense, all things considered.
But thanks again for the tip.
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