Hi TPA team

I have another problem with my buffalo DAC III.
Each time I switch on or switch off an electrical device in my home (lights / fridge / Cleaning machine etc...) , the buffalo DAC unlocks for 1 second. (same behavior in different houses)
I don't understand why because I'm using the filter you recommend in the manual.
(No ground in my electrical network)



What can I do to avoid this painful behavior ?

Thank you

alpaga

Check out post 1326 on this page at diyaudio for possible cause/solution.

http://www.diyaudio.com/...hout-compromise-133.html

"The ES9018 is very sensitive to any disturbance of the bitclock - often what happens in cases like yours is that either there is some DC on the mains which causes a serious ground bounce and/or EMI when the switch is thrown.

There are two things to do to help - shield the DAC in a metal case - isolate the DAC from the spike (isolation transformers can help here).

keeping your wiring (supply and signal) short and tidy also helps quite a lot.

It is usually better to track down the offending DC generator (usually an appliance or ceiling fan or such) and replace it if possible - as having DC on the mains is not really good for any audio device. It saturates transformers and and can generate enormous transients when a field collapses.

So in short - a transient is making its way to your DAC, either directly or via EMI."

It's this one: http://www.schurterinc.c...heet/en/pdf/typ_DD12.pdf
M5 version. And yes: it provides filtering, but it won't do miracles.

I see a big problem in that picture: it's not only not grounded, the connectors are not insulated at all and the wire seems single (not double) insulation. I know you're not in the EU, but I'm pretty sure that's not allowed in Switzerland either as this combo is potentially quite lethal. Please build your DAC according to local safety regulations.

alpagas, please let me know if this works.

My DAC is enclosed and grounded, but still unlocks when lights are switched on the same circuit. I'm not really sure what to do about it. I could try replacing all the switches I suppose.

I have a Neutrik power connector, so not easy to replace with the filtered one. I see the same company make internal ones, but so many varieties that I have no idea which to buy!

How about this one:
http://cpc.farnell.com/t...er-3a-1-phase/dp/FT01462

?

Edited by user Tuesday, June 3, 2014 2:36:32 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

FWIW...

I mainly listen to my Buffalo test rig (where I test the DACs before shipping). It sits on my desk, completely open.

The room has florescent lighting. The power strip I plug it in to also powers my work light (halogen), soldering station, MyRef revC amp, 100MHz scope, and desoldering station. Switching of any of these causes no issues with the DAC.

The three rooms surrounding my basement office are laundry (w/ electric dryer), my workshop (many tools including my CNC router), and utility room (boiler). None of those cause problems with the Buffalo either.

I think it really comes down to the quality of your mains connections (good Neutral and Ground). I do not do any kind of additional filtering.