Signal interference

Hi all - I was wondering if some of the technically proficient members on this forum could shed some light on an issue I’ve been having in my system. I’ve been evaluating for the past two months a Melco N50, as transport (directly connected to DAC, controlled from the front panel and no ethernet attached) and a Hifi Rose RS130 (also directly connected to the DAC, no ethernet connected and wifi off).

Both units run fine without an internet connection. However, the Melco has occasional skips, where apparently there is no sound for a second or so, while the clock ticks forward and the USB connection stays intact. Upon careful listening, during the ‘skip’ I hear a soft radio buzz through the speakers. The buzz is not permanently there, and when it occurs it seems it replaces the music signal as strange as that may sound. When the Melco is not playing music, the same momentary buzz occurs through the speakers.

There are no wifi sources nearby so that cannot be the cause; but is it possible nearby electronics could emit EM that would cause the Melco to hiccup? Reason for asking is that I’ve disconnected the Rose this morning and the Melco played fine for two hours straight - but I’m still hoping the Rose is not the cause…

Thanks

EJ

Is the ultimate decision between the Melco and the Rose? If so it makes sense to evaluate with only one connected at a time, as that is how you would use them once you’d decided. They may be interfering with each other in some way, so connecting only one at a time would eliminate that. If the Rose is affecting the Melco it doesn’t matter, as you’d only have one or the other.

Was planning on keeping both, but if there is interference, the decision will have to be ultimate!

So they are both connected to the dac? Which dac is it? If you want to play direct from the Melco surely you do t need the Rose? Wouldn’t you use the Melco as server, connected to the Rose, used at streamer and then connected to the dac? I’m a bit out of my depth here, so apologies if I’m missing the point.

I could use the Melco as a NAS and the Rose as a streamer, but I don’t - I use both as local music transports to a DAC (Accuphase DAC-60), with music on internal storage. Like a modern variation of the HDX. There is no good reason why I’d have both at the same time, and the plan was to only keep one, but I do like them both for different reasons.

I use a Melco N50-S38 connected via USB to a Chord Qutest DAC. It is also connected via ethernet to our BTSH2 to allow for remote control via the Melco App on our iPad and also for data download when ripping CD’s.

The behaviour you describe seems somewhat bizarre and is definitely not normal - as you no doubt already know! I would have thought any interaction with the Rose is highly unlikely, but…

I suggsest you check all the settings are configured correctly in the Melco menu. There are quite a few and I seem to vaguely recall something about changing some setting if the router is not connected.

If no joy then I suggest getting the Melco checked out to see if it’s faulty. If mine starting doing that then I would be on to my dealer ASAP.

Just checked the Melco manual. If you configure the USB DAC for DSD playback mode then apparently there can be a latency gap of up to three seconds before starting to play in some circumstances. This gap is adjustable via the menu, but better to set the USB DAC setting differently in the Melco menu.

It may be nothing to do with your problem, but worth a quick look in the Melco USB DAC setting menu.

Incidentally why do you control the Melco via the front panel rather than the App? Don’t you find it a real pain to navigate your collection via the tiny screen and fiddly buttons?

Thanks for the reply. The issue I’m facing isn’t settings related, I’m afraid. I have switched off the player port, auto updates and standby time, but those are just to quicken start-up (slightly) and for sound quality (slightly). The DSD setting you refer to relates to how the Melco transports DSD files to the DAC, and the start-up latency at listening start. Given the radio interference I am fairly certain the issue is external, possibly in connection with some faulty shielding in the Melco although I think that’s unlikely.

As to controls: not a pain at all, when the metadata is kept consistent and simple. The Melco works with any 2.4Ghz remote control for speedy browsing, but I’m finding I don’t need one.

This needs a dongle in one of the USB ports though - doesn’t it? Presumably this would have an impact on sound quality and is pointless if having to view the front screen as you would need to be so close to see what was going on as to make the remote redundant.

As for your issue I would get the Melco checked out. Unless you have something very unusual or extremely faulty close by in your property emitting lots of EMR or you live right below some high-tension electricity lines or something then it seems lilely that the Melco is at fault.

I’m not sure why you would need both tbh. I put a drive in my RS130, moved all my music across and sold my Innuos Zenith 3. The hifi Rose does more and sounds better

Maybe; I’ve disconnected the Rose and so far I’ve not had any glitches but will wait a few days before declaring a solution.

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