NDS "Unable to Reclock Audio"

Posted by: KRM on 29 December 2013

This is the third in a trilogy of NDS input threads.

 

When I connected my iPad to the USB input on an Arcam rDock Uni and connected the later to the s/pdif input on the NDS I got poor sound quality, audible jitter and a message on the front screen saying "Unable to Reclock Audio".

 

I'm not too bothered as the rDock went back to the dealer when discovered I can connect the iPad directly to  the UDB input. However, I an intrigued as to what was going on here. My best guess is that the NDS can't Reclock the audio at any of the available frequencies its clock allows and so it recovers the data via a sub-optimal method (possibly asynchronous).

 

The white paper appears to support this view, but wonder what the more technically minded members think?

 

Keith

Posted on: 29 December 2013 by Harry

Sorry I can't help Keith, but three questions:

 

How are you liking the NDS?

 

Do you think it's particularly musical with 24Bit material, perhaps exploiting it better?

 

Are you sure this is only a trilogy?

Posted on: 29 December 2013 by KRM

Hi Harry,

 

Just off to walk the dog so I will reply properly later.

 

Keith

Posted on: 29 December 2013 by KRM

Hi Harry,

 

i'm loving the NDS. It has a beautiful beguiling quality that leaves me lost in the music. It can also do the heavy lifting when bass and grunt are required and it times beautifully. I know some feel that the DAC does better with the boogie factor, but that's not the case in my system. The NDS is better than the NDX + DAC in every department.

 

We got off to a slow start as it was delivered without the Burndies so we had to power it with a single XPS Burndie. I had what I can only describe as a hissy fit and 24 hours later we were sorted. Jason met up with Iain on the edge of Bath and Iain delivered and installed the Burndies later that evening. He also rebuilt the system, based on Jason's detailed instructions. This is a classic example of a customer services disaster being fixed so quickly and so well that it leaves the customer feeling better than if they had got it right first time. Thanks Jason and Iain.

 

The golden rules applied to the system were:

-  The NDS goes top (NDS - Stageline - 252 - Space - Space on the brawn side)

-   Shelf placement is more important than keeping Burndies off the ground (where there's a conflict)

-   Power supplies radiate interference more upwards than downwards

 

I think the subtlety of the NDS's presentation means that it doesn't reveal its magic all at once, but is ultimately more rewarding than some "in your face" upgrades.

 

I have not noticed hi res stuff sounding more improved than lower res sources. It all sounds amazing to me, but I am shocked how good MP3 sounds via Apple TV.

 

Keith

 

 

 

Posted on: 30 December 2013 by Harry

Thanks Keith. Glad to hear the rewards are coming.

 

Bit of a faux pas with the Burndy, still, all's well that ends well.

 

I think subtlety is the cornerstone. Sure, it can do all the HiFi stuff and "heavy lifting", but as you say, it draws you in and immerses you. I noticed a considerable difference in tone and timbre which in of itself is impressive but it served more to draw me in than pin me back.

 

I always start off with the best intentions when trying to describe why I like the NDS so much, but it always ends the same - it just sounds "right" to me.

 

All the best with it.