I agree that this DAC is getting old, but I have it as part of a very minimal system and am using it also as a preamp. I personally think it is worth the effort to get it up and going

Thanks for the homework assignment(s). I'll generate diagnostics, uninstall current Snakeoil and attempt older version(s). I'll never know until I try it. Something is up and I plan on finding it.
More soon. Thanks!