2. amps-preamps
  3. 192478-110266

Preamp issue

I am having a problem with my preamp would like some feedback/guidance from the members of this forum.

For the past two years my system has been a WIIM Pro to PSAudio Stellar Gain DAC to Backert Labs Rhumba 1.0. preamp to Classe CT2300 amp to Harbeth SHL5 speakers, 

System worked fine and I liked the sound. But, then you get the itch. . .

I was interested in trying to an r2r DAC so I purchased a used (one year old) Denafrips Pontius II 12th DAC. Today I swapped out the PSAudio DAC, fired up the system and listened for about 5-10 minutes, then there was a POP in the speakers and the Rhumba preamp went into its mute mode. I shut everything off and restarted the components now have low frequency(100Hz?), low volume, vibrating sound coming out of both speakers. I have swapped out pieces from a second system an definitely isolated the problem to the Rhumba preamp. 

I am going to have the pream repaired. But since the Rhumba preamp failed shortly after swapping in the Denafrips DAC-

Could the Denafrips DAC have caused the preamp to fail? How? Was it just coincidence? Should I have the Denafrips tested as well or just return it and find a different r2r unit? Your input will be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Happy Holidays

128x1282tuby
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,191 posts
 

You  should have consulted me as the Denafrips sales rep 

the New Pontus 15 are what was the Venus 12 with upgrades for $1300 less then last year , look at the Venus now in a Bigger case 42 lbs- now the Terminator !!

Not trying to be pushy but all New Denafrips are one step up in models for no added costs and on sale. do you have another dac you can borrow ? How old was the dac normally these dacs are very robust.

larryi
4,048 posts
 

If you can, talk to manufacturers of both components.  The Backert Labs folks should be able to tell what was the likely cause of the damage to its component.  At high fi shows, their folks seem to be quite frank and forthcoming.

2tuby's avatar
2tuby OP
35 posts
 

audioman58-

I do not know the age of the Pontius DAC I have. Since it is a 12th version I would think not too old. I have sent an email to Denafrips asking for the date of manufacture. I know there is a software fix that might address the popping problem but if the unit is too old the unit will not update with the new software. 

You spoke of the newer units being on sale, do the newer units still have the popping issue?

evank's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
evank
309 posts
 

First of all the Dac has the the firmware 1.4 and was shipped from Vinshine October of 2023. The DAC has no issues. The OP has verified it working with his PS Audio preamp. If something happened to his other preamp Im pretty sure it wasnt the DAC’S fault. I have used it with tube and solid state preamps with no issues. I have never come across anywhere else that a Denafrips dac has damaged a preamp or any other device. Please return the dac to.me like I offered.

 

Thanks

paulcreed
564 posts
 

Hi, did you touch the Pontus when the pop happened, I think there is something in the way the Pontus is wired that static hits it, mostly in the winter time. I had the same problem, there was a definite pop and it originated from the Pontus.

 

I read others have experienced this also. I jumped up and shut down the amp and some of the system shut down on its own. I’ve never seen anything like this before.

 

I ended up running a ground to touch if I was going to touch the Pontus.I don’t use the ground in warmer weather, sounds crazy but that’s what I did. The Pontus is gone now but a nice dac for the money.

 

I also posted on Audiogon what the hell that pop was, good luck with your search. I would contact Denafrips and ask about static and the ground. 

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