What is the difference between the stereo and 7.1 outputs?
Well, did you try stereo output ?.. I’m not quite sure what could it be in your situation here, but I’ve had almost the same issues, and Cambridge Audio Azur DacMagic Plus model was the only DAC which helped me to resolve it. I mean there was a technical problem, and I had two options – repair it, or buy a new one. And this new Cambridge Audio DAC ( from here ) is the option I’ve made about DAC under 500 dollars. I can say for sure that it’s one of the best models I’ve used.
The 2-channel output uses a discrete stereo D-to-A converter. The 2-channel output is always downmixed multi-channel audio, and is independent from all audio settings in the player. The Discrete L/R Stereo output has been designed with a higher output level of 2.40Vrms at 0dBFS, while the Multi-channel output is 2.0Vrms at 0dBFS. The dedicated stereo output uses the Cirrus CS4398 DAC. The multi-channel analog output uses the Cirrus CS4382A DAC.
The 2-channel output uses a discrete stereo D-to-A converter. The 2-channel output is always downmixed multi-channel audio, and is independent from all audio settings in the player, with one exception: If Audio Format Setup -> SACD Output is set to DSD, then multi-channel SACDs will not be downmixed to the dedicated 2-channel outputs. This is not a problem for stereo SACDs, but for multi-channel SACD you will get only the FL and FR channels from the dedicated stereo outputs when using the DSD setting. Use PCM in this case. The Discrete L/R Stereo output has been designed with a higher output level of 2.40Vrms at 0dBFS, while the Multi-channel output is 2.0Vrms at 0dBFS. The dedicated stereo output uses the Cirrus CS4398 DAC. The multi-channel analog output uses the Cirrus CS4382A DAC.