So, I dunno if I'm just an idiot, but with every amplifier I've had, when I hook it up to my computer using an optical cable it sort of..auto disables itself. By this I mean when not in use, the audio portion seems to go into a 'sleep mode'. When I suddenly play something then, the first second or so is cut off while the audio 'wakes up'. Also, it's extremely quick to activate. Play a song like, 'Brain Stew', and the sadistic son of a bitch cuts off in all the blank spaces, leaving out a good chunk of the beginning. I've sort of just been dealing with it, thinking oh well, that's just the sacrifice for Optical quality sound. However, I figured I should make sure I'm not going through this crap for nothing and reach out to others. Is this just how it is or is there something I've been missing?
The optical audio output shouldn't be disabling itself like that. I would try looking at the audio settings on your computer. This has happened with several amps? In that case, I'd say it has something to do with your computer. Does your computer have a built-in optical output?
Yeah I should have known it's not normal. I just really didn't know where to find the setting. I will look again, though, since it's been a while since I've tried. Yes, this happens on more than one amp. My last amp I remember there even being an icon on the display that would turn on and off with the sound. Yeah, I am using the built in optical.
it is normal on most systems, the audio output for toslink will go to sleep.. That's why KODI has an option to play a -900000000000db bazillion sound at all times to keep audio device alive.. No way around it than running software to keep the audio device awake... Are you using just stereo? Toslink is shit for most modern formats.. Just using Stereo, use a good USB soundcard or something that has line out.. using surround, if your AVR supports it use HDMI Optical has no sound benefits, if you are just stereo.. just use good quality cables and a line level output to the amp or AVR from pc.. You won't be able to tell the difference
I see. I didn't know that. I used the optical out from my MacBook for quite a while and I never had the issue speedyink described. One reason to use optical is if your PC doesn't have a good analog audio output. A USB sound card like you mentioned would eliminate the need for that. It sounds like speedyink is just using the computer's built-in audio, though.
I am using 5.1 Surround, which is actually I think the main reason why I started using optical. I know the amp can probably decode from RCA plugs, but I think it works a lot better with Optical I seem to remember. I also play a lot of .flac files, if that matters. Thanks for the info! I will try to find that software. Edit: I found it, it's called "SPDIF Keep Alive", and it works wonders. Ay, tis true. I did have a seperate Sound Blaster sound card, but my video card grew to a double wide and it no longer fit in my case >_<
