MXD-D400 DAC/Monitor issue

[bluecrab]

I have two MXD-D400 decks and this situation is the same on both (US and JPN models):

Unlike with most other MD decks, I can't get the DAC/Monitor function to work on the D400. On other MD decks, you just connect a digital source, set the input to OPT, hit REC, play the source, and off you go.

 

Not so with e D400. Connections are all OK and tested (works fine when there is an MD in the deck and the deck is set to REC).

But when there is no MD in the unit, then the DAC pass-through doesn't work. Is this feature missing on the D400 or is there something else I need to do?

 

I went back through forum postings and did various googles...no luck.

TIA.

[sfbp]

I just confirmed. The D40 (modified) and D5C both work fine.

 

Looking at the circuit, the path through the DAC is wired up in a different way to all previous models eg JB series and also MDS-PC3 (which I have). The latter is IMO the best of the lot because it gives max flexibility (analog or digital input) coupled with BOTH analog and digi output (simultaneously).

 

On another topic (which may be related), the new NW-ZX2 has separate DACs (I think) for 44.1 and 48Khz. I did notice a long time ago that the the D400 behaves strangely badly in some circumstances playing back LP4 which I always took to be some strangeness in the order of conversion from 48 to 44.1 (perhaps you understand the schematic better than I do), so much that I would suggest you probably don't actually want to use it as a DAC. I think they needed CDs to play directly without pressing the REC button, which is what I have to do with my modified D40.

 

FWIW, you could do the D40 mod to the D400 and have MD output digitally through a new, separate connector all the time. But I doubt this is what you want or need.

 

Stephen

 

PS the DAC is probably not as good as the beefy ones in earlier units. For me the nice part of the unit is that it's the only combo deck with optical out from the MD side built in. For non-MD I would choose a better DAC, perhaps.

[PhilippeC]

As say Stephen, it is probably a settings problem. Make a try at first that the source is set at a maximum of 24bit-48 kHz* output, use a plugin like Resampler (Sox) and don't forget to put your output level strong enough.. Is it strange or not that the minidisc.org techincal datas give him modern specifications : Specs: SNR & Dynamic Range > 96dB. Freq resp: 5hz-20khz +/-0.5dB. THD: < 0.005%. Hybrid Pulse DAC (192khz, 24bit), ADC (96khz, 24 bit)

[bluecrab]

Thanks, Stephen. Unless there is some "secret" combination of button-presses — and given your likely accurate analysis of the path, this is highly improbable — I think you are correct and that I am just out of luck on this one. I decided just to put the D40 back where it was. I had pulled it from the rack and put the JPN D400 in its place, assuming that the D400 would behave like most other MD decks. Wrong. I am mainly using the D40 as an outboard DAC (connected to a MacBook's optical out) for listening to FM radio that is streamed, and iTunes. Also for occasional CD>MD copying  duties, although that is mainly handled by a US D400.

 

I did, as I noted, briefly run the signal through the D400's DAC, albeit with an MD inserted and the deck in REC mode. I didn't listen long enough to draw any conclusions, but I did not notice any improvement in SQ that way. So, it will be the D40 performing DAC duties for now. Not sure what I'll do (if anything) going forward. Part of the deal here is my not spending any money on this particular config. Thanks again.

 

BTW, I have sent an email to Sony Support about this, but I expect they won't be able to wave a magic wand and have it work.

===============

Thanks also PhillipeC. Hmm...I don't think I can change any source settings on the MacBook natively, but a plugin might change that. Still, the D400 would need the appropriate signal path, I think. What in the world was Sony thinking when they apparently dropped this functionality!?