Another sad customer here, with the static/crackling when there's no signal present. Sad because this thing makes such a huge difference! It makes an AirPort Express sound as good as a top notch CD transport into my Audio Note DAC3 (older model, ca. 2000)! Just lovely. But that static...
I tried replacing the unit, in case it was a production issue - nope. I tried different optical cables. I tried the iPurifier's optical out (instead of the coax). I tried a newer AIrPort Express (802.11g and 802.11n models).
To be clear, this is the situation:
AirPort Express -> TOSlink cable -> DAC3 : works fine, sounds lame
AirPort Express -> TOSlink cable -> SPDIF iPurifier -> DAC3 : static when no signal, sounds GREAT with signal
It must be something to do with the iPurifier, because when I take it out of the loop, everything is fine. And when there's no source connected, I get the problem. Can confirm that when I first switch it on, I don't get the static - only after a signal is started and then stopped.
Clearly plenty of DACs don't have this problem. It would be GREAT if iFi could try and find a DAC that reproduces this problem and come out with an updated model that solves it. I understand that resources are tight, and this is a pretty niche product, but it seems to be a somewhat common issue? If you started a GoFundMe, I'd pay up front.
I'd also be happy to try any other workarounds people can suggest? Inserting a DEQ2496 is an interesting one, but they're $300 and hideous.
Thought about the Wyred4Sound Remedy, but that apparently always outputs 96KHz no matter what, and my DAC can only handle up to 48KHz. There isn't really anything else on the market like it, is there?
Thanks,
Dunc
