Sony Z series Docking station issue

Hi,

I have a Z128 with a VGPPRZ10 docking station. Whenever I plug a USB audio device into any of the docking station USB ports the USB audio device has crackle in the audio. This happens with my Logitech USB headset (for Skype use) and also a mini USB audio adaptor I was hoping could get around the lack of audio on the dock. The same devices plugged into the laptop's own USB ports are fine - no crackle (even with the laptop docked).

It seems the USB ports on the dock have some interference issue or digital breakup problem - anyone else seen this ?

Mark

 

you can check using the "dpc latency checker" first...

 

When plugging in to the docking station, you go through an external USB hub. That adds quite a bit of latency. USB is a best-effort system without guaranteed minimum speeds, latency or DMA, so if the drivers for that audio device aren't smart enough, audio artifacts isn't surprising.

One thing that might help is to not use the same USB controller and hub for multiple devices. In particular, avoid slower (1 Mbps and 11 Mbps) devices like a mouse on the same hub and controller as an audio device, or the faster device will have to throttle itself whenever there's traffic from the other device.

 

Thanks for the tips. I tried removing all other USB devices from the dock without any change. I also ran the latency tester and found no issues, so the only conclusion is that the USB hub in the dock itself has too much latency.

Mark

 

I have same problem. I think it's caused by the sony dock station because my USB audio adapter works very well with Dell's dock system.

 

Interesting. I've been using my external USB audio box (emu-0404) on the docking station since day one with no issues.

-Peter

 

Do you need to install any driver for EMU 404? I have Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1, Creative Xmod and Logitech Premium 350 USB Headset. All of them have same problem. I use Windows 7 integrated driver for them.

 

Yes, there is a Windows 7 driver for the EMU 0404. A quick google search turned up this page which has links to a driver for the X-fi card. My guess is that your sound card will perform much better using the latest driver.

-Peter

 

After installing Creative's drive, my Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 works perfectly. There is no crackle any more. Thanks.

 

Ok - if anyone can recommend a different high quality USB headset that has its own driver and does not suffer from the crackle when used with the dock I'd appreciate it.

 

Define "high quality". I use a MOTU UltraLite ($549) with a pair of Grado RS-1 ($695) headphones, but that would be overkill for most people.

The $79 M-AUDIO - Transit - Hi-Resolution Mobile Audio Interface perhaps?

But if all you want to do is listen, the best thing to do is to use the audio out instead of USB. Since it's a docking station, you're not going to be mobile anyhow. An old 1980s amp (or even pre-amp) should cost you less than $50 at a tag sale or pawn shop, and will do far more for the headphone quality than an under-amped sound card will. And the RealTek chipset in the Z is actually pretty good -- it's only the amp and speakers that suck.

 

Hi everyone,

I've recently purchased a sony Z and got the docking station. I use a Pro-Ject Headbox DAC and am having a similar crackling problem when I attach the device to one of the dock's USB slots. (It works fine running directly off of the computer). I called Sony and they want to replace the dock for me -- would doing so have the possibility of helping? If not, is there anything I can do to use the dock and avoid the crackle?

Thanks a lot for the help!
Evan

 

I have the same problem with my USB headset in the docking station. Interested to know if anyone had any success in solving the problem.