Intermittent audio cutting out with optical (toslink) The Frame 2019 49"

[Monographia]

I have some severe clipping, cutting out, choppy, glitchy, stuttering (whatever is the correct term) audio.

It happens for a millisecond every other second or so. It feels that it happens more often when there are audio intense moments, but it could also be that it's just more noticeable at those moments.

It happens on both HDMI channels (Apple TV and XBOX), as well as DTV (which I never watch, so that's not really an issue, but could help determining the problem).

The apps on Samsung works better, but after a while the clipping sound appears. On the apps it occurs sometimes and sometimes not, compared to the Apple TV and XBOX where it happens all the time steadily.

When I connect the optical cable to my XBOX everything sounds perfect and there is no clipping whatsoever. 

Also analogue works perfectly with the amp.

All the suggestions I've read mostly focused on changing the Digital Output Audio Format to PCM, which I've tried with no luck.

I've tried factory resetting the TV which didn't do anything.

The manual for my amp says:

The digital inputs are capable of handling up to 24bit / 192 kHz audio signal in PCM-format. check your source signal type to make sure it is in the right format.

Are there any settings I'm missing on my TV to set this up properly? Does 24bit / 192kHz mean anything that I should change in the setup?

Here is my setup:

TV: The Frame 2019 49" (QE49LS03RAU) – 2 months old

Amp: NAD Amp1 (NADAMP1BK) connected via the optical input (D1 for TV use) with a new optical cable (ARGCL1OPT1,0) – both bought 1 week ago

Stereo system 2:1

HDMI 1: Apple TV4 connected with new Premium HDMI cable from Deltaco

I've tried all the different audio settings (Stereo / Dolby Digital, and forcing 16bit) which doesn't change anything

HDMI 2: XBOX One S connected with the in-the-box HDMI cable – 2 weeks old

Tried Stereo Uncompressed and Bitstream, neither changed anything. 

Worth noting is that the TV don't recognize my amp correctly, it instead sets it up as a Denon. 

When it doesn't want to set the amp up and I manually have to say which it is I can choose Nad Amp1, but the remote won't work then and it didn't have any any other affect on the audio.

[rcrocky]

Hi,

Same issue here...

Samsung 50QN90C (2023) and NAD d3045, clipping, stuttering sound both via HDMI and optical, too.

But I tested it with my 10 years old Samsung TV, and the same happens.

With my old Onkyo, everything is fine... 😞

[SGreene]

Hello. I feel fortunate to have found this thread. It was difficult enough to describe the situation in words and find a relevant discussion online. But more importantly, after trying a million different things, I found the issue in this thread. I want to thank all who have contributed. You provided me with a cause and a solution to save my new and costly investment.

I recently installed an 85” Frame TV and hooked the optical from the Connect box to my trusty DAC and then to my 2-channel integrated amp. After about an hour of streaming YouTube TV or just a few minutes playing Spotify directly from the apps built into the Frame, the audio started to stutter and cut out for a blip of a second every few seconds. This would continue unless I exited the app, turned off the TV, and got back into it. Then, about an hour later, the audio playback issues I just described would happen again.

I tried swapping cables. I tried a different network. (I have very high network speeds throughout my home.) The last thing to try was a replacement DAC. I wasn’t even sure that would work until I found this thread. Then I read in the thread of folks discovering that a specific DAC chip could be the issue. My DAC had a chip by the mentioned manufacturer… an ESS Sabre 9023 DAC chip.

I looked for a replacement DAC that did NOT have an ESS Sabre chip. I found one, bought it, installed it, and… Eureka! Three days in with the new DAC, and no more audio issues!!!

So… I feel pretty confident in saying, after reading this thread (Thank you!), that the issue causing audio stuttering and drop-outs between Samsung TVs and specific audio systems is the ESS Sabre DAC chip. Replace a DAC or amp with that chip (or keep the amp but get a different DAC), and all will be glorious!

[GVoul]

Hi,

just to be clear about the comment above. The issue is not on the DAC chip as that receives just digital information. It is on the chips responsible for the SPDIF handling from optical to digital data.

[storck22]

EDIT: Unfortunately USB is also an issue here. The sound cut out happens much rarer than on optical, but still happens. So I am currently trying to find another solution. I have messaged Audioengine and asked them if they have any solution for this.

Hi,

I also have the same issue with sound cutting out every few seconds when connected through optical link. I tried different setup options on Samsung TV and finally found this discussion after failing to make any improvements. My setup is:

-Samsung The Frame 55" 2023

-Audioengine DAC D1 connected via optical link to Samsung One Connect box.

Thankfully the DAC also has USB B input so I was able to connect it to the Samsung One Connect through USB A -> USB B cable as the Samsung box has USB outlets on it's side. The issue stopped.

However should I be worried about a sound quality degradation when using this method of connecting? USB is also digital so the quality should be the same as when connecting through optical link, correct?

[Dav Id]

I fixed this.

No amp firmware update required.

I have a Samsung Frame 50 (2023) and a Leak 130 amp connected via optical lead.

I did the following:

Disconnect lead. Turn amp and tv off and back on.

With both on, connect the lead firstly to the amp, then the TV box. Connect with the prompt on the TV.

This is the process stated by Samsung.

I also changed the following settings on the TV:

Digital Audio Output Format: PCM

Dolby Atmos: Off

Simultaneous Optical Output: Off

I’m not sure which of the above fixed it, but I now have perfect sound output. This is on Amazon Prime, Netflix, and YouTube - these were all clipping previously.

[ToneMalone]

Thank you to the contributors here for sharing knowledge and helping me to resolve what was becoming a very frustrating issue. I note this thread's title refers to a 2019 TV and that my 2023 TV has the same issue ... so I'm also throwing out the challenge to Samsung to improve the quality of their digital audio signal and nip the issue on the bud.

Anyway, the Topping E30ii was flagged here as a DAC users had success with, so I looked for other decent DACs currently in production with the same chip. I'm happy to report the S.M.S.L SU-1 (AK4493S chip) has solved the issue for me, so adding it to the list of options.

The SU-1 is a simple device - 3 switchable inputs but no headphone amp nor volume control. Many people in this situation probably just want a small box that will solve the glitches between their TV and amplifier - so it fits the bill for that and has had great reviews, being compared to more expensive DACs. At A$119 it was half the price of the Topping E30ii. The S.M.S.L should be <$100 in the US. Probably if course best to buy from someone with a change of mind returns policy, just in case it doesn't solve the issue.  But in my case the new DAC is staying put!

All the best to other users trying to solve this problem.

[northerner]

I ran into the same issue with my Samsung The Frame 50LS03T from 2020, in combination with my beautiful brand new LEAK Stereo 230 Amplifier (equipped with the Sabre ES9038Q2M chip). Clipping occurs both with using the HDMI / eARC and optical inputs.

Currently I circumvent the issue by using an old cheap HDMI ARC extractor from AliExpress, but of course I would much prefer to use the amplifier's built-in DAC.

I have requested help or an update from the manufacturer (IAG), and am hopeful they will be able to help out the same way Arcam, Marantz, Quad and Cambridge Audio have done. If I receive any further updates I will make sure to update here on this thread too.

[Jeffersun]

Hello, I have the same problem.

Hello

 I recently bought a 90SE but when I connect it to the system the following occurs.

I have a Samsung Art Frame 55 TV 2024, a Cambridge CA81 version 2 amplifier, a Yamaha 303 CD player. 

The problem is as follows. I get a crackling sound from time to time when working with the TV.

I don't notice it with the CD player. No matter how I connect the 90SE to the TV, whether with optics or USB, the crackling is there.

The settings on the TV are set for PCM. This crackling is strange, it occurs when the topping works for a while or its solution at times.

Thank you and I'm waiting for options to solve the problem. 

Best regards Ivo.

[northerner]

Have you tried updating the firmware @Jeffersun?

I don’t have a Cambridge amp myself but I read this reply a few pages back: https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/tv/intermittent-audio-cutting-out-with-optical-toslink-the-frame...

[GVoul]

Hi,

you can check my response that I had send back:

Re: Intermittent audio cutting out with optical (toslink) The Frame 2019 49" - Page 10 - Samsung Com...

Actually the solution for MK II is included in the firmware and most probably you have to use optical port D2. You can check the response above or even the manufacturer manual.