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loud "POP" sound when playing FLAC files

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duclosa:
Hi all.

I've been using MC12 (12.0.404) with XP SP3 on an old Dell E1505 to play (mostly) FLAC files from NAS throug USB DAC (Audio Research) on CLASSÉ pre-amp, CLASSÉ amp to B&W speakers. Everything worked well for a number of months.

Not too long ago, I upgraded to MC14 (14.0.165) and quite a few FLAC files started playing incorrectly. Near the end of the file, there is a LOUD POP sound, just before switching to the next file. It also happens with MC15, which I tried (and bought!) this evening.

I thought that the FLAC files were somehow faulty. I opened one in WavePad, and it played correctly...

That last observation, together with the fact that MC12 plays the files correctly lead me to believe that there is a problem with  the way MC14+ interact with FLAC files.

I'd be more that willing to send one of the files for tech support to look at it...

Thanks in advance.

Alain

Alex B:
It is not a common problem. I have FLAC files in various bit depths and sample rates and they play just fine.

Your problem could be caused by incorrect tags. For instance, some ripping programs can add ID3 tags to FLAC files if they are misconfigured.

Here is a quote from the official faq: http://flac.sourceforge.net/faq.html#general__tagging

--- Quote ---What kinds of tags does FLAC support?

FLAC has it's own native tagging system which is identical to that of Vorbis. They are called alternately "FLAC tags" and "Vorbis comments". It is the only tagging system required and guaranteed to be supported by FLAC implementations.

Out of convenience, the reference decoder knows how to skip ID3 tags so that they don't interfere with decoding. But you should not expect any tags beside FLAC tags to be supported in applications; some implementations may not even be able to decode a FLAC file with ID3 tags.
--- End quote ---

MC's FLAC input plug-in has changed a few times since MC12 and it is possible that a file format problem causes audible glitches only with the later versions.

I guess someone would need to inspect a sample file...  (I can do that if you can upload a file somewhere and provide a link.)

EDIT

Just to verify that the problem is really caused by the file, can you hear the "pop" when you play only a single file (i.e. when there is no track transition) and can you always reproduce it when you play the same file again?

duclosa:
Hello Alex.

Thanks for the prompt reply.

I indeed believe that the problem lies within the files and their interactions with MC, as WavePad plays them just fine.

the problem is indeed reproducible with the same file, each time it is played and also occur when playing just 1 file.

Here is a link to such a file, on RapidShare : http://rapidshare.com/files/386267423/01_-_Mozart-_Horn_Concerto__1_In_D__K_412_-_1._Allegro.flac.html

Thanks for helping. I'm a bit worried by thatproblem, as I recently converted a large number of CDs...

Also, if it can be of any help, the same files, played though MediaMonkey or WinAmp do not display the same behavior.

Alain.

JimH:
On our wiki, there is an article about "DAC Settings".  Please try it.

Alex B:
I tested the sample file. The problem is in the file. I'll create a detailed reply later today.

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