Massdrop Liquid Carbon X + SDAC DAC/Amp Discussions | Drop

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Massdrop Liquid Carbon X + SDAC DAC/Amp

Audiophile

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sschlang

Oct 24, 2018

Hi all...I'm a newbie to MassDrop and headphone amps, etc. I just received the Liquid Carbon X + SDAC/DAC/AMP which I am hoping to use with the HD6XX. I was hoping to run my Ipad and/or Iphone off of this. When hooking everything up, however, my Ipad gave me an error message: "SDAC cannot use device because it requires too much power." I have no clue as to how to go about remedying this OR if it can be remedied. I am hoping some kind soul out there in audiophile land can help me figure out what to do next. I don't know whether it's relevant but I am using the Lightning to USB Camera Adapter (which works fine with my Dragonfly). Thanks so much!!

Oct 24, 2018

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iamjamestl

112

Oct 24, 2018

sschlangThe SDAC is powered by the USB bus. It requests up to 500 mA, which is OK for a USB device, but would quickly kill your phone/tablet's battery. Connect your phone to a powered USB hub, then plug the SDAC into the powered hub and it will work.

Oct 24, 2018

sschlang

Oct 24, 2018

iamjamestlI will give it a try...thanks so much!!!

Oct 24, 2018

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sschlang

Oct 25, 2018

iamjamestlHi all...Grrrr! Some progress but I still don't have it. Don't know what I'm doing wrong. I have plugged both the Liquid Carbon and my device (Ipad or Iphone) into the Powered USB hub (11 Port Super Speed Hub by Apanage). I'm not getting the SDAC device error message on the Apple device but I'm missing something very basic because the amp is not picking up any signal from the Ipad or Iphone. Music plays through the device speakers but not through the amp/headphones. I'm figuring that the USB from the device should be the "in" and that the USB hub should allow the amp and the Iphone or Ipad to "talk" to each other. The apple devices are charging - so I know they're getting juice. So - what am I missing or not getting? Very frustrating!!!

Oct 25, 2018

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iamjamestl

112

Oct 25, 2018

sschlangIf the Apple devices are charging, you have them plugged in wrong. The Apple device should be the host, so connect the hub *input* to the Apple device via the USB camera adapter, then plug the SDAC into any one of the "output" ports of the hub.

Oct 25, 2018