[ubuntu] USB DAC - Works Intermittently

I recently purchased a SMSL Q5 Pro USB DAC/AMP. I have tried it on 14.04, 15.10 and 16.04 beta2.

My generic question is should this device be supported, and just work plug and play? Has anyone else used this device or another by SMSL?

Whats happening:

When plugged in hot, a new output shows up under sound settings, (Analog S-AMP). When plugged in before boot another (Digital S-AMP) is there also. They randomly flash on and off, and if you click one of them quick enough sound will output, then after 5-10seconds it will start to crackle and becomes inaudible.

There are a few differences between ubuntu versions, but none of them work without getting a certain sequence right each time.

Something odd that i've found is that if i launch and leave ruing "pavucontrol" GUI, things work fine!, at least the crackling disappears, then if i close the window things go downhill. I originally thought it was the device, but because of this strange event i'm starting to thing it could be driver related.

I can get some logs from syslog, but at this stage just wanted to see what i should be expecting!