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Crackling / Distortion with Audyssey XT32?

lattiboy

lattiboy

Well-Known Member
I use a Denon AVR-X3500H as my receiver. I feed an external set of power amplifiers for the front two channels via the analog pre outs.

I have run the advanced set up in the $20 app from Denon, and when I use AirPlay to cast from Tidal to the 3500H the Audissey works brilliantly. I’ve done both full range and limited to 500Hz. However, when I use my external DAC (Maverick Audio Tubemagic 1 plus) through the analog input I get distortion from both speakers.

Now, the weird part:

If I toggle Audyssey off, the distortion goes away (I do this by going to “pure direct” mode). So, the signal itself isn’t distorted, Audssey is somehow creating a distorted signal.

So, I’m very confused. How could Audssey work perfectly fine via the built-in DAC and be a distorted mess from an rca in that is clean?

I wonder if it’s the mic? I’m out of ideas!

PS I’ve run the setup 3 times now and used completely different power amps and speakers. Same results. I don’t own another DAC to test, but the signal from my current DAC is not distorted in any other system and the Denon works fine when in pure direct mode.
 
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Perhaps the output level from the DAC is high and with the EQ applied by Audyssey something in the receiver is being pushed into overload/clipping.

Does the Denon have the ability to adjust the level of analog input? Some units have that ability. Usually it's to normalize levels between various inputs/sources but it might help in this case if my speculation is on track.
 
whoaru99 said:
Perhaps the output level from the DAC is high and with the EQ applied by Audyssey something in the receiver is being pushed into overload/clipping.

Does the Denon have the ability to adjust the level of analog input? Some units have that ability. Usually it's to normalize levels between various inputs/sources but it might help in this case if my speculation is on track.
Click to expand...

This was a good idea!

Unfortunately even when I went -12db on the source there was still audible distortion.

It’s just so weird! And man would I like to have the ability to have the bass control working.

Again, when in direct or pure direct mode I can go to mind bending volume levels with zero distortion, so I don’t think it’s an input problem.

PS I don’t think I mentioned it, but literally got a Marantz SR6012 and new Audissey microphone and am getting the exact same results! Madness!
 
@lattiboy

Were it me, and knowing that output from DACs are often quite high, I'd be tempted to try attenuation between the DAC output and receiver input. I don't know enough about how the receiver handles the input level settings to know if somehow it might still be overloading some part of the circuit that's engaged with Audyssey vs. not in direct. For a speculative example, if the input level adjustment is done in the digital domain with Audyssey engaged (so as to facilitate all that magic) perhaps the DAC signal is overloading an ADC prior to the signal even getting to the input level control.

For me it would be pretty easy; I'd rig up a potentiometer to vary the level from the DAC to the receiver's input...but I don't know what you have laying around for parts and such. May end up a dead end too, but I would still try it if it were me in your shoes.
 
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I agree, try to lower the output of the DAC a little. Sounds like the analog ins are getting maxed out. I just put that same receiver in my system, and I have a very hot DAC, M500, so I’ll check to see if I can duplicate that situation with a hot signal.
 
So, I tried to max out my analog input (cd), but no dice. The sound is not distorted no matter what I doom not able to duplicate your situation on my unit. If I were you I’d start with a factory reset of the unit, and update any software, let it sit unplugged for a half hour, and then try again. Maybe part of an update didn’t take, or it’s some other software glitch that a reset might correct. Just a guess.


I know that mine had a quirk after updates and the mute would only hold for :30 and I needed to reset the unit to fix it. A known issue.
 
So! Couple weeks later and I find out that the Tubemagic D1 Plus can be configured to use the “only for headphone out” volume control for the preouts! Just switched two jumpers and then proceeded to turn the volume down 2 clicks..... AND FIXED! No clipping, even at absurd volume!

Still very weird to me that it was clipping only in Audyssey, but I’m not going to dwell on it!

If some poor fool stumbles across this in the future, the two jumpers are near the analog outputs inside he D1+. Just switch them so the other two pins are uncovered and you’re good. Go ahead and switch them back if your circumstances change.
 
My opinion is still that it was probably overloading the ADC. ADC would be necessary when using Audyssey but not Direct.
 
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