Comments on: Williamson on the Hardware: The Alpha Design Labs STRATOS

By: Jeffrey J Mark

Jeffrey J Mark — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 03:36:00 +0000

Dave can the unit be connected to the digital inputs of an amp or DAC (T+A DAC 8 DSD) for playback?

By: David W. Robinson

David W. Robinson — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 10:32:00 +0000

In reply to Jeff Charles. A happy ending, then, Jeff. Glad to hear it!

By: Jeff Charles

Jeff Charles — Sun, 20 Nov 2016 17:58:00 +0000

In reply to David W. Robinson. David, I have since exchanged the GT40a for a Stratos and as you described, it is working just fine with the Windows anniversary update.

By: Jeff Charles

Jeff Charles — Sun, 20 Nov 2016 17:56:00 +0000

In reply to Raymond Li. Raymond, thanks for the heads up regarding the GT40A and Microsoft. I decided to forget waiting for Microsoft to correct the issue. Furutech and Audiyo, their local distributor in my area, have gone the extra mile for me and I have since exchanged my GT40A for a Stratos which is working just fine. These guys do indeed value their customers unlike a certain nationwide communication company named after a guy named Alexander. I am a happy Furutech/Audiyo customer and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

By: Raymond Li

Raymond Li — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 19:49:00 +0000

In reply to Jeff Charles. Hi Jeff, I was told that we'll have to wait for Microsoft to get a fix around this anniversary update. Best is to roll back to Win 10 (regular) and disable the auto update for now. I know there's other DACs that are in the same boat as ADL so let's cross our fingers.

By: David W. Robinson

David W. Robinson — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 19:29:00 +0000

In reply to Jeff Charles. That sounds very frustrating Jeff. You'll have to check with ADL to find out what the current level of support for the GT 40 is. Certainly driver support and update issues are important if a product is going to be continued in the inventory. But it's also true that manufacturers may reach a point of no longer supporting a given device as operating systems develop. Let us know how it turns out when you contact them and find out if there's a driver update. Dr. David W. Robinson Editor-in-Chief

By: Jeff Charles

Jeff Charles — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 16:05:00 +0000

In reply to David W. Robinson. Okay thanks David. I purchased the ADL GT40a in July. Loved it, but after the Windows anniversary update it would no longer function. I backed out the update and it worked for a short period of time but the auto updates were applied again and I'm back in the same boat, waiting and hoping that the fellows at Furutech will provide updated drivers that will correct the issue. Maybe I should propose an exchange of the GT40a for a Stratos and ante up the difference in cost as it's been close to two months now without any means of playing my flac based music. Somewhat frustrating.

By: David W. Robinson

David W. Robinson — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 09:35:00 +0000

In reply to Jeff Charles. Jeff, here's the word from David Williamson: ""I'm running the Anniversary Update (1607) on my PC, laptop and Surface Tablet and I've encountered no issues using them with the Stratos. The closest thing to an issue was the one I mentioned in my review, where Windows decided to update itself during a listening session. At the conclusion of its update/restart cycle I experienced no further issues and was not required to update any drivers for the Stratos." Hope that helps you.

By: Jeff Charles

Jeff Charles — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 21:16:00 +0000

Does the ADL Stratos function with Windows 10 Anniversary update. The ADL GT40a has issues with the Anniversary update and appears to require updated drivers so I was curious as to whether the Stratos had any issues.