[thunderbrick]

Recently a friend loaned me a California Audio Labs Alpha tube DAC that sounds sooooooo much better than my Marantz player, and I plan to buy it except that it does one odd thing.

At the end of each CD track I hear what sounds like a relay clicking off in the DAC.  On some Dorian CDs the noise happens several times between selections, but it happens on virtually all CDs.

The light remains on, suggesting it is still locked onto the signal.

What gives?  Do other DACs do this?  Any ideas as to how to solve it?  The other option would be to find another DAC.  Any suggestions for a DAC that handles DSD/SACDs?  Budget is a big factor, of course.

Thanks, all!   

[Blackmore]

Try it with a different transport, like a dvd player.  I had an old CAL that did the same thing and I seem to remember that some transports mute between tracks and the DAC loses contact for a moment until the next track kicks in.  If that's not the exact answer, it's pretty close to right.  Let us know if another transport solves the problem

[thunderbrick]

That's a thought, but this Marantz DV 7001 CD/DVD/SACD isn't that old.  And my other CDPs are even older.     Wonder if my NAD 5325 players in the basement might work?   

I'd hate to use money budgeted for a DAC to go toward another disc player.

Thanks!

Bob

[Blackmore]

Give that old NAD a try. Most DAC aren't bothered by this problem so your new transport may be just great with a different DAC.  Wanna borrow a mhdt Havana to see if it likes your Marantz?

Mark

[thunderbrick]

Mark, I'd love to!     What part of STL do you call home/work?  Saturday I'll be at the STL Science Center, and Thursday I'll be running up to Chesterfield and right back down I-44.

THANKS!

Bob

[Blackmore]

PM sent and I'm in Washington Thursday night until 8:30 pm if that's doable.