Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Noisy Director DAC

I have just acquired a Director DAC for use with a WIN10 PC - when I try and play any files, I get a pronounced amount of background hiss (but the files play). I have an existing Director, which I have had for some while, working on a Win11 (laptop) PC, and this doesn't have the same problem (even when running the laptop from its mains supply). I tried swapping the DACs and the problem stays with the PC, so its not the DAC itself which is the main issue. I also have an Explorer 1 and this works OK on the 'noisy' PC. I don't know what version of firmware any of the DACs is running and can't find out since Meridian has now removed all drivers etc. from its website (unless anyone can ping me a copy of the right files and a quick 'how to' guide?)

I'm guessing that the problem is a ground-loop or a noisy USB supply in the (all-in-one Dell desktop) PC? This wouldn't explain why the Explorer works OK, though... Can I safely run safely the Director with its external power supply? Would this automatically disconnect the USB supply?

Any suggestions or ideas gratefully received.

Hi

It is recommended that you first replace the computer and troubleshoot whether it is the PC or your DAC.

I used foobar in Win10 for this work.

Hi

Thanks for the reply. As noted in my post, I tried swapping the DAC to another PC (a laptop) and the problem goes away, so the problem is with the PC (USB-supply?) or grounding from PC-DAC-amp. The question is, how to fix it?!

Are there any other digital outputs on the PC you can try? I use my Director with the optical out from the PC.

I suggest you read the documentation first.

This DAC, a brand-new accessory, has a separate power adapter.

You can try to use the mobile phone charger to connect to the USB cable.
The premise is that you should first measure the correct voltage with a multimeter to avoid damaging the equipment.

The DAC has driver: Meridian_USB2_audio_v1.68-19_driver_installer.zip, have your installed it or using a Windows driver?

Sadly, there are no other digital outputs on the PC.

Unfortunately I don't have a copy of the driver and it is no longer available on Meridian's website, so I'm using the Windows default driver. Is there somewhere I can download the Meridian driver from? Will the ZIP file package also allow me to check and upgrade the firmware, if needed?

Does anyone have experience of using a USB isolator (e.g. "Nobsound USB to USB Isolator Module Audio Noise Eliminator Industrial Isolator Protection" which is available from Amazon for 20-odd pounds)? This might be a solution.
The alternative (which "should" work) is a USB to SPDIF converter, but these are more than twice the price, so I don't want to go down this route unless it is the only option.

FWIW, when I regularly used my Director connected to my Mac no other firmware was required. For example, in Amarra Luxe, it automatically revealed Director as the connected DAC.

Also, no other software/firmware was required when my Director was directly connected to my Squeezebox Touch - with the latter showing ‘Meridian Director’ on-screen as the connected DAC.

In both cases, the supplied PSU was not required.

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