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AMR DP-777SE not USB Audio 2.0 compatible?

101.183.148.89

In Reply to: RE: DAC USB Audio 2.0 compatability posted by 91derlust on December 02, 2016 at 19:48:11

Hi all,
In my initial email I raised some general questions about the responsibility of DAC producers to be able substantiate claims regarding their USB Audio 2.0 (UAC2) compatibility. I have since looked into this regarding specific issues between my DAC and server.

History
AMR website FAQ:
The DP-777 requires a minimum of USB 2.0 AND USB Audio Class 2.0 compliant Operating Systems (Mac OS X, select distributions of Linux) or a USB Audio Class 2.0 Driver (supplied for Windows) in order to have sufficient bandwidth for 24-Bit 176.4/192kHz audio.
There is nothing specific, except positive magazine reviews, in relation to the SE version of the DAC on AMR's site. However they discuss the importance of USB compatibility in general...

AMR via email in April-2015 suggested the server I was using at the time was Linux-based and as such, it is not standardised across the board eg USB Audio Class 2.0. This implies that it was not working because it was not UAC2 compatible... conversely, if compatible, it should work.

AMR via email yesterday:
With regards to Linux we do not support this as there are too many variations...
The implication of this is that the DP-777SE USB firmware is not truly UAC2 compliant. AMR develops their input firmware and drivers for OSX/Win; they don't provide drivers for Linux because of the variety of distros. I am awaiting further confirmation of UAC2 (in)compatibility.

The problem
This would be fine except AMR have clearly given the impression - and it's a reasonable expectation - that their products are UAC2 compliant and should work with UAC2 compatible sources. IME and (finally) by their own admission they don't.
I feel for the distributor over here in Australia - a nicer, more professional, more helpful person you are unlikely to meet.
Buyer beware.
Cheers,
91.

"Confusion of goals and perfection of means seems to characterise our age." Albert Einstein
DP-777 FAQ (Open in New Window)

Edits: 12/04/16

Follow Ups:

RE: AMR DP-777SE not USB Audio 2.0 compatible? - Roseval 01:31:40 12/05/16 (3)
"AMR develops their input firmware and drivers for OSX/Win"

According to this page: http://www.amr-audio.co.uk/html/dp777_driver-download.html
They do supply a driver for Win. Small wonder as Win doesn't support UAC2
They don't supply a driver for OSX.
OSX is UAC2 compliant.
Likewise the iFi products: http://ifi-audio.com/downloads/

It looks like they do use UAC2.
Not to be mistaken for a good implementation.
A rule of the dump is that if a USB DAC works with OSX without installing a driver, it is UAC2 compliant.
Hence it is reasonable to expect it to work with recent Linux as well.

The Well Tempered Computer
- That is what I thought also, but... - 91derlust 02:46:13 12/05/16 (2)
  that relates to the DP-777, not the DP-777 SE. It is my understanding that the SE uses a different USB input. The firmware is likely different, but I take your point about the driver download (no OSX) and the likelihood of compliance.
  
  However, AMR has clearly stated in recent correspondence that they don't support Linux - why not if the Linux driver is UAC2 compliant? Could they be UAC2 non-compliant but still work with OSX?
  
  Let's see what AMR comes to me with.
  
  Cheers,
  91.
  
  "Confusion of goals and perfection of means seems to characterise our age." Albert Einstein
  - Not supported on Linux? Really? - AbeCollins 07:36:59 12/05/16 (1)
    Interesting. It wouldn't be smart of them to not support Linux with the DP-777 SE. If this is true, then they may not support several dozen popular audiophile music servers and network streamers out there that are based on Linux.
    - Yep! - 91derlust 11:59:35 12/05/16 (0)
      A lot of servers are Linux-based!
      
      Unless there is something I'm missing, if the DP-777SE was UAC2 compliant it should work with UAC2 compliant Linux servers.
      
      Thankfully the DP-777SE has a nice SPDIF in and the Antipodes can do SPDIF out... though I'd rather be using USB.
      
      I want to get off system merry-go-round, but might take a look at a different DAC if I feel like leaking a few more $.
      
      Cheers,
      91.
      
      "Confusion of goals and perfection of means seems to characterise our age." Albert Einstein

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