Wavelength Brick Original Version 1

[clar2391]

I have a Wavelength Brick DAC (original version 1) that I think is limited to 16/48.  I've installed XXHighEnd and followed your instructions, but I'm not able to get it to play.  I'm using Windows 7 on a Macbook and it sees the USB Dac, I'm able to load music files (WAV or AIFF) and the player indicates that it's playing, but there is no sound.  I've tried the XX volume control, the Windows volume control, but still no sound.  I get sound through the Wavelength from iTunes, Foobar, etc, just not through XXHighEnd.

Any tips for me?  What am I doing wrong?

Thanks!

[PeterSt]

Hmm ... if it indicates it is playing, it should ...

Stupid question maybe, but in XXHighEnd, did you choose your USB Device (in the Settings Area) ?

Oterwise you might switch on logging (Settings Area, last item), and post both the XX and X3 logfiles, which will appear in a "TemporaryData" sub folder under the folder you installed XXHighEnd in. Please post them as attachment (they can grow very long).

You are using Engine#3, right ? and the latest version of XX please ...

Thanks,
Peter


PS: If you are not sure about the DAC's capabilities (I don't know either), just try to set DAC Is at 24/96, and try both DAC Needs at 32 and at 24 bits. Keep the volume low at trying this. If it does not play, let me know the messages coming from this (either situation).

[clar2391]

Yes, I'm using the latest version (XXHighEnd Model 0.9y-3).  I tried both "Use Primary..." and I tried specifying the USB device in the settings area.  I'm using Engine #3.

I also tried most of the DAC settings (16/44.1, 16/48, 24/96) but still no sound.  When I tried to select 24 or 32 bits, the selection was not available, in other words, it wouldn't let me select the radio box next to 24 bit or 32 bit.

I'll switch on logging tonight when I get home and post the log files as attachments.

Thanks for your help!

[PeterSt]

When I tried to select 24 or 32 bits, the selection was not available

Ok, but this selection is only available when "DAC Is" is at a higher than 16 bit setting ! Thus, only when you select (in your case) a 24 bit setting, you can choose between DAC Needs 32 and 24, and 32 defaults (so you will have tried 32 already I guess).

Awaitening the logs !
Peter

[clar2391]

Attached are the log files.  This afternoon, when I started playing the first track, I could barely hear sound from my speakers.  I tried to increase the volume, but the sound slowly faded out...odd.

[PeterSt]

Well, THAT is new !
ehh ...

I can imagine that you, after knowing this, found out more by now ?

Before I forget, does Engine#1 (or #2 for that matter) behave normal ? Careful, because you seem to use the digital volume, and no such thing exists in #1/#2 !

Highly pretentious : this might be the sheer proof of how XX influences the DAC. I mean, it really does, but this seems over the top. As said, highly pretentious, but the only thing I can imagine is that there's something wrong in the power supply area. I mean, this is not something which happens in the digital domain (or you must see Windows volume sliders going down automatically ... which are even out of order, so never mind) and since you say iTunes/Foobar just work ...

There is one other thing though, and this is Q1. You may have it too low or too high. I can't predict what happens where, but I think you should try some of its settings. Start with 14. Then 17, 20, and above that for USB it will start to go wrong (but never real silence afaik). Then 11, 8, 6, 4 and at that point again it may stop to work (in normal situations). If you can see that this by itself makes a difference, try to explain to me what you hear. Is it distorted (at a certain setting) and if so, how (glitches, ticks, dropouts).
If indeed the power supply is not 100%, give it a little rest at a next attempt. Pull out/in the plug in between is a good thing. Also, shortcut the legs of the plug for a few seconds when the plug is out (just hold a screwdriver against them).

Oh ... it may be USB powered ? in that case try to find a shorter cable to begin with. And another USB connection at the laptop. What counts for the power supply in the DAC just the same counts for USB and its power supply.

Btw, the log files show all is nomal and you just should have sound. But I guess we both can agree upon that now.

Let me know what happens !
Peter