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Airport Express "local clock" issue?

I have an Airport Express going optical into my Marantz HT receiver, and sometimes I lose the first half-second or so of the beginning of a song. I believe it is related to the "local clock" issue, outlined in this article in Stereophile.

My question is, what DAC would not have a problem dealing with this? Maybe a Cambridge DacMagic, or Musical Fidelity V-DAC? Or does it have to be something higher up the food chain, like the Benchmark DAC-1.

Cheers,
Mark
markhyams
magfan
1,583 posts
 
Null modem serial cable is needed up update the CA840c player.

The AE apparently has enough built in clock instability....jitter? that the CA simply doesn't like it. I have heard a similar sheen.....a couple times, come from my DishNetwork receiver going optical to the SAME CA player.

AE to DAC null modem? on an optical line? CA player has NO USB and besides, the USB on the AE is dedicated to printer use.

I hope the DACMagic doesn't have the same....issue, or the buyers of that guy are in for a nasty surprise.

I have the correct serial null modem cable, the directions and all the goodies, but am simply CHICKEN to hook it up and 'go for it'.
If I turn my CA player into a doorstop, I'll really be pissed.
vinkim
28 posts
 
I have problems, as mentioned above, with Airfoil to Airport Express to DacMagic when using the optical out from AE. No problems with analog and no problems using Itunes to AE optical out, that is skipping airfoil as it is not needed..

In fact I have to be sure to quit Airfoil when playing Itunes using optical out from AE to DacMagic.

The problem with the Airfoil - AE - optical - DacMagic is skipping or cut-outs during songs.

I am starting to think that the problem is in Airfoil.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
Vinkim,
I'm just getting back to this thread.
Call CA tech support and see if there is a software update for your DacMagic.

My CA player, the 840c, simply doesn't like the optical output of the AE and does worse than skip. It emits a very harsh, glassy noise which is very hard on the ears.
My CA player simply does not like the poor clocking of the AE.

As I think about this, I believe the OPs problem is related to a network issue where the network 'wakes up' as it sees a signal. I don't know if the problem happens at the start of EVERY song.....
vinkim
28 posts
 
Magfan, sorry for the late response. Thankyou, for the info on CA Tech Support. I will contact them and ask.

Guess I may have been off track on the OP issue, sorry about that. Just thought it may be somehow related.
Vinny
magfan
1,583 posts
 
No harm / No foul.

I have a system problem right now that I'm working and may post If I don't figure it out.

I maybe, and probably AM wrong about your system, but going to CA tech support can't hurt. Maybe they've had this issue before?
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