Network Details (Including networking gear model/manufacturer and if on WiFi/Ethernet)
Netgear Orbi / Connecting Roon to DAC via Ethernet
Audio Devices (Specify what device you’re using and its connection type - USB/HDMI/etc.)
AURALiC Aries Mini (Ethernet) outputting analog audio directly to amps
Description Of Issue
This has started since I installed Roon 1.8. I can turn on my amplifiers (Emotiva PA-1 mono pair) and everything is dead quiet. The DAC at this point has no input at all. I start Roon 1.8 on my Mac and Roon Remote 1.8 on my iPad, and immediately I get a soft farting sound from my speakers. The noise lasts about 0.5 seconds and occurs every 7 seconds. If I shut down Roon Remote, the noise stops immediately.
To make this even more difficult to diagnose, I have a second amplifier (Black Ice Audio F22 tube integrated amplifier). If the F22 is hooked up, I get no noise at all from Roon.
I tried another software (Auralic LDS) and the noise persisted - so it’s not Roon
I bypassed my Schiit Loki EQ box and the noise persisted - so it’s not the Schiit
I tried a different amplifier and the noise persisted - so it’s not the amp
I tried different interconnects and the noise persisted - so it’s not wiring
I disconnected the Ethernet cable & fed my DAC via WiFi and the noise stopped - So it’s related to Ethernet!
How that can be, I don’t know. Maybe a capacitor in my Ethernet switch is going bad and bleeding noise onto the signal? Maybe the wall-wart for the switch is intermittently not fully rectifying?
But the problem is solved for now. I can test my theory by substituting another switch (which I should probably do anyway just in case - I don’t want a bad switch frying my Blu-Ray player or TV either).
I am glad and congratulate you that you have investigated and found the cause of your problem. It is an interesting case, worthy of being remembered as a lesson learned.