New Problem (with D50s?) -- New high-frequency crackling noise occurs intermittently for a couple of seconds at a time, usually repeating several times over the course of an hour or two's listening. Does this sound familiar to any of you streaming experts?
The signal chain is Qobuz->Verizon Fios->router->wired Ethernet->BlueSound Node 2i->Topping D50s (via digital coax)->preamp->graphic equalizer->power amp->speakers. I've never heard this kind of noise from my CD player, turntable, or FM tuner, all connected to the same preamp, etc. The Node 2i, preamp, equlizer, amp, and speakers are all relatively new. The D50s and digital coax are the oldest links in this chain, having been in service for a few years. (I've reported other anomalies with the D50s here recently, but they were all resolved satisfactorily.)
Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately!) the noise only occurs occasionally and (so far as I can tell) unpredictably, so I haven't been able to troubleshoot effectively. It can be an hour or more before the noise occurs. Today I tried streaming Qobuz directly from the Node 2i audio outputs to the preamp (bypassing the D50s) for an hour or so. I didn't hear any noise, but then I didn't hear any after I put the D50s back in the loop either for perhaps another half hour.
There are many possible sources of this intermittent noise, including Qobuz itself, the Node 2i, the (high-quality) digital coax link, the D50s itself, and the brand new (also high-quality) RCA cables from it to the preamp. If anyone can suggest a likely culprit and an appropriate diagnostic technique, I'm eager to isolate this issue. -- JClarkW