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Massdrop x Airist Audio R-2R DAC
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Massdrop x Airist Audio R-2R DAC
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Product Description
Featuring discrete resistor ladder technology at an unheard-of price, the Massdrop x Airist Audio R-2R DAC is one of our most requested and anticipated products this year: a DAC with the looks and quality to match our new lineup of amps. An older technology that’s been making a comeback, R-2R is known to produce rich, warm, natural sound and can have benefits in spatial awareness and staging Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downCEE_TEE
3481
Jun 12, 2019
Stickied
Hi Everyone,
Nice to hear some of you already have your RDAC and are enjoying it!
DRIVER STUFF
For Macs- RDAC should be found in Audio Output Devices as "USB Audio 2.0".
For Windows- I have a link to the driver here and we will work on a product page link...
Windows Driver download link: XMOS Windows Driver (30C8)
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1c0gQ2GjEaqS3pC75QXym_Jf9Veu11IbN Note: Windows 10 may not need a driver.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1c0gQ2GjEaqS3pC75QXym_Jf9Veu11IbN Note: Windows 10 may not need a driver.
Whitedragem
185
Oct 7, 2019
G’day (aussie here)
Just did a little looking into this. (I do tech support and this is a frequent issue, and isn’t product specific, but relates to the controller chip used in the Dell XPS (and many other PCs)..
Some quick research to confirm if i was on the ‘right train of thought’ was;
“For users looking for an audio interface that will not require an adapter, PreSonus offers the Studio 24c, Studio 26c, Studio 68c, Studio 1810c, and Studio 1824c. These audio interfaces use the USB 2.0 protocol which is fully compatible with just about any USB-C™ port on any computer on the market. However, it is always a good idea to double-check the specs for your computer.”
-this was from another audio product that uses USB as a bus to transfer, or connect, to an outboard DAC.
It basically suggests that USB has a few variants and they do not all engage ‘quite the same’.
Another audio company had a page that highlighted the specific issue as it likely relates (and was what I was specifically looking for, being the two solutions I was going to lean towards)
https://helpcenter.steinberg.de/hc/en-us/articles/360009604280-UR-C-Audio-dropouts-in-SuperSpeed-USB-3-1-Gen-1-mode
(you do not HAVE to read this)
For the record these issues are generally Windows specific, and Windows 10 is a pretty annoying platform to support (I literally closed my PC business down to avoid complex industry ethics that are about to unfold).
Most creatives use Apple hardware, and many independent studies have confirmed that creativity flourishes on Apple platforms (and has done for decades). Musicians through the eighties and nineties were very happy with what Apple gave, and there is a reason many people seem to have missed a solution that is common knowledge to PC techs.
I feel silly for somehow missing this thread post and SHOULD HAVE commented earlier.
The Apple vs Windows rant aside (I’ve been a PC tech who has convinced hundreds of people that the total cost of ownership of Apple products is vastly less, especially so when we factor OUR TIME).
My solution(s);
prior to researching YOUR SPECIFIC DELL, I was simply going to say..
A) Use the systems BIOS to lock the USB connection mode to USB 2 or ‘compatibility’ mode.
B) Recommend use a different USB port
After researching the Dell 9570 model XPS, it has TWO USB 3.1 (gen) ports.
Technically a third (or more) USB port if connecting the optional HUBs. Those ports may even be USB 3.2
now as the above link gives; the default windows (10) driver for some USB chips (might be different USB controller chips used on your laptops’ left side vs the laptops’ right side) defaults to an incorrect standard for USB audio kit.
Using an official driver seems to offer an applet that gives some device control (that is to say, control over how your PC uses its USB ports). That link might give some ideas on how to change the USB mode to one that is industry standard for using with USB audio.
Truly, at the moment, I would suggest that any issues you may be having with USB audio devices will not just magically ‘go away’, and is certainly not likely to be device specific.
The nature of how various USB DACs connect, depending on whether they are USB 1.1 or USB 2 audio devices, is pretty straightforward.
It generally is a ‘plug and play’ affair.
The industry has learned that consumers like ‘bigger numbers’ on our spec sheets year in-year out.
Of course the industry follows with constantly finding bigger numbered parts to sell us.
Without going ‘anti Microsoft’ (a stance I have strong opinions on to do with their consumer ethics), I will confirm that their Surface Books do not always hold the ‘latest technology’ when it comes to USB standards.
This makes for ‘forced drivers’ in Windows 10 for USB a front that makes their own Surface Books appear more reliable and ‘usable’ / easy for end users.
This seems to be a thing for microsoft. Any non microsoft product that gets forced driver updates (something that the industry creed for decades has been ‘if the update doesn’t do anything that the user needs DON’T update’ (—if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it)), Microsoft making Win10 a ‘forced driver update’ environment makes it a completely unusable environment for ANY production or use in business WORLD OVER. (Caveat Emptor)
Anyhow this issue is exacerbated by Windows 10 forced driver updates.
My own recent experience of a flagship wifi receiver, which is unusable with forced driver updates, I can generally make it work for “one boot” without ‘retroubleshooting’ to fix what Microsoft keeps breaking.
They did the same with a Microsoft video game for many months, the trifecta of windows updates, driver updates and game updates (it was a microsoft first party software product), meant the game would never boot up twice successfully on PC, without loosing 10-30 minutes servicing the product. (with multiple boots)
Microsoft sell Xboxs. (they get money for yearly net connections, money from peripheral sales, and money for EVERY title sold). On PC they get none of that. Windows 10 is very effectively going out of its’ way to kill PC as a platform, especially a gaming platform.
Anyhow mildly angry rant, as the industry, in an attempt to sell more, puts time costs on millions of end users.
Sadly, in this instance, a feature of having ‘faster USB’, means we have lost a lot more time than we will ever gain.
I am happy to give succinct assistance, this message is bigger than it needs to be to confirm WHERE the blame needs be. It is neither user, nor hardware part, but the software vendor of the OS and industry need to ‘advance’.
I DO feel your pain. Hope we can easily set, via BIOS, a backwards compatible USB mode. At least for one of the ports?
edit: didn’t hear from you.. for other users in the same situation, a quick resolve: try a USB HUB? Forcing an older HUB in place using a slower speed, if you have one in the house, might get around this. (I have doubts as the USB3.1 port will still be in the pathway.) This issue could be a low quality USB cable (try rotating a thick and fast cable into use), but is most likely Windows 10 ‘forced driver’ updates. I have seen this issue countless times with people saying ‘it worked yesterday’ etc.. a quick check always seems to show that Microsoft have updated to an outdated driver that seems to break things- has happened to me personally, nearly weekly since win 10 launched (but never during the prelaunch version that didn’t force updates).
The link above should give methods to forcing unsigned drivers etc, but at the end of the day, M$ just screws up the machine over and over and over again. The issues here are not likely at all related to the DAC, and will need to be troubleshot as the same issues will creep up on other DACs in a Win10 environment. (In this instance I would LOVE to be wrong, and it would be great if it was simply a dodgy USB receiver chip- yet this DAC has a cutting edge high quality receiver chip designed to allow top tier DSD etc)
(Edited)
Beardigor
0
Mar 10, 2023
If anyone is willing to sell one - doesn't have to work - and ships to Europe, I'd buy it.
vandenmar
6
Feb 12, 2023
My unit has a very noticeable dithering sound but only on the left channel. Is this something that’s fixable at all?
Beardigor
0
Mar 10, 2023
vandenmarHi, just in case, if you'd want to get rid of it, i'd buy it. But in the EU.
Buckaboo
141
Aug 14, 2022
Dropping this here in case anyone is interested in purchasing an Airist R2R. https://www.ebay.com/itm/354212699614?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=WKykBn1VQQG&sssrc=2524149&ssuid=WKykBn1VQQG&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
LordBorg
331
Jan 2, 2022
I'm selling my Airist R-2R DAC. It looks like new, had very little use and works perfectly well. It comes with all original accessories and box. I'll even include a pair of short RCA cables. $500 shipped to continental U.S. lordborg@gmail.com
amiga505
16
Feb 17, 2022
LordBorgCult item or not, the price is kinda steep - I just missed one on local classifieds here in Germany for EUR 125, EUR 250 appears to be the highest price from historical sales here. If you are willing to knock the price down to say USD 200 and ship to Germany (I am covering the costs obviously), this is something I am ready to consider.
allsmilesb
110
Oct 11, 2021
To Massdrop
Massdrop you have wonderful line of headphones, amps and other exclusive audiophile products. Unfortunately you have very slim line of dac options. The grace and the o2/grace dac are wonderful dacs but very featureless and are solid state variety. Regardless of the drama with the Mass Airist R2R dac it was a wonderful performing R2R dac that is sadly missing from the Massdrop line up. I suggest a revision, a sequel or successor to the Airist R2R. If Airist is no longer viable to work with brands like Soekris and their R2R dac the 1321 would be great blueprint to Massdrop R2R dac another would be a budget friendly verision of Denafrips ARES II R2R Dac.
Thanks for your time and great massdrop products you have produced.
(Edited)
ridhuankim
671
Aug 27, 2021
My unit Started developing buzz on the left channel.
When I got my first 2 units they had to be returned as they had buzz and soon one side Lost sound.
Returned both units, cancelled 1 and replaced 1 unit.
Now this replaced unit also Started to buzz so I expect this is going to break down soon.
Out of warranty and this will surely steer me away From any further purchases from Drop.
Wanted to get the Panda and also the 8xx but was scared to buy anymore.
The things that still consider a good buy from Drop are the AAA 789 amps and 6xx headphones. The rest....
boregardxx
0
Aug 11, 2021
Does anyone know of a linear power supply that is compatible with the Airist? I see a number of 5volt 3.0amp but the Airist is listed as 5.3volt 3.0amp. This is well outside my skill set and I tried to no avail to dewey decimal google for it but nothing I feel I can trust. Any help is greatly appreciated. TY
zmk8
3
Oct 21, 2021
boregardxxHi, if you've got a multimeter to measure the output voltage, most linear power supplies have a trim pot inside that you can rotate to give the desired voltage. That's what I've done on mine. First I measured the voltage of the supplied walwart, and then I matched it. It measures ~ 5.6V with no load. Also if say you buy from a seller on eBay or AliExpress you could message the seller to ask if they would set the voltage for you.
(Edited)
boregardxx
0
Oct 22, 2021
zmk8Thank you zmk8! That is pretty much what I did, with some help. LPS is hooked up, working well and deepened soundstage and tightened up the edges. Much appreciated!
jimbo1957
0
Feb 9, 2021
Another dead R2R...out of warranty...anyone recommend a US based repair outfit? If I can't locate a shop, anyone want to buy it cheap?
rastus
1395
Dec 22, 2020
dr_jacThe R2R 11 dac/amp is a nice unit, or the Ares as a dac alone. Either will get you onto a nice r2r level; Ares has more life.
http://www.audio-gd.com/R2R/R2R11/R2R11EN.htm
https://www.denafrips.com/ares
https://www.denafrips.com/ares
(Edited)
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