Pops with EMU 0404USB

[Ste77]

I have two DACs, one VDAC II and one EMU0404 USB both used with Pi via USB.
VDAC is playing smoothly any type of file while I noticed that with the EMU you hear pops and cracks with both MP3 and FLAC.
I've tried to increase buffer from 2048 to 4096 but no significant improvements.
Should I insist and further increase buffer? Do you think that is the issue?
Another theory I have is potentially related to the card itself since I'm not sure the EMU is a real asyncronous which could bring some noise/compatibility issue with USB transmission?
Then there is always the possibility of electrical disturb but why only with EMU and not with VDAC considering it's the same set up?
Any ideas/suggestions?

[janui]

Hi Ste77,
Please post the your debug information.

If it’s not possible to post it, just post the lines "audio_output { ... }", including all the lines between curly brackets. There could be more than one section beginning with "audio_output {", please post them all. And specify your Pi type and the image you are using.

Could you also tell us some more about when the "pops and cracks" occur, for example, only when number change, continuous, only some numbers, random, etc.
janui

[Ste77]

Hi janui
here you go:

audio_output {
name "bcm2835 ALSA"
type "alsa"
device "hw:0,0"
dsd_usb "yes"
auto_resample "no"
auto_format "no"
enabled "yes"
}

audio_output {
name "E-MU 0404 | USB"
type "alsa"
device "hw:1,0"
dsd_usb "yes"
auto_resample "no"
auto_format "no"
enabled "yes"
}

I'm still using PI first series with 0.3 beta but also have a Pi3 at home and planning to use it at some point in the future.
Regarding the pops/cracks, this is happening during playing, particularly evident for FLAC, but also some MP3 are affected.
This is not continuous but rather random.
Again, if I play the same tracks with VDAC, same set up, no pops/cracks at all.

[janui]

[hondagx35]

Hi,

you have both outputs enabled at once this is to much for the Pi1.
Go to the MPD page and select "Analog" and then back to your USB DAC.

Frank

[janui]

Thanks Frank,
Missed that.
janui

[Ste77]

Hi both
I went for option 2 installing the suggested image and making sure the EMU is the only selected output.
Definitely MUCH BETTER.
All pops disappeared.
Thank you guys!