Do other DACs do this? Auralic Vega


I have borrowed an Auralic Vega to demo with a view to buy.  However 90% of the time when I first start to use it I get a very brief crackle before the music starts. 

I'm unsure if this is just a DAC thing, or a known issue with this model (although I can't find anything searching), or more to do with how I am feeding it. 

Most music is coming from Apple Music using Firefox Browser on a NUC and fed to the Auralic via USB.

I get the same when first using the Tidal App but seems to be less frequent.

It doesn't do this between tracks, but if I move between Apple Music and the Tidal app it has a good chance of doing it again.

Ultimately I want to upgrade to a streamer, such as the Innuos Pulse Mini, so now wondering if a better source would resolve the issue or whether it could be a better option to give back the Auralic and use the internal DAC on the Innuos.

Any and all advice would be very much appreciated

incoming

I've used at least a dozen <$100 DACs. None has ever exhibited such abhorrent behavior.

I would not accept this.

The DAC Magic it replaced did not do this. It just sounded terrible in comparison.

Could just be more sensitive to the setup, or faulty. A better USB cable is a thought, with no real downside to try. Will give that a go.

Bummer, sorry to hear that.  Could there be some faulty wiring/ did you try any different cables?  

Nothing to do with cables . You got a defective unit Ask your dealer for a new one

@lapera it may come to that.  I have upgraded network and USB on order so will give it a shot anyway, then if this fix https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/wmmrum/audio_crackling_pop_on_windows_11/ also doesn't work a new DAC would be the goal