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Media Center 26 volume control doesn't work: USB connect from Mac Mini to amp

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LouisThe:
Mac Mini late 2014
OS Sierra 10.12.6

2.6 Intel Core i5
8GB 1600 Mhz DDR3

Playing Media Center 26.0.29

Connected to SimAudio 240i integrated amp via USB

Media Center plays fine but defers to the integrated amp for volume control: that is, when using Media Center, the volume controls on the Mac Mini don’t work—neither the system’s sound volume control nor the MC 26 volume control.

I also play music through Apple Music, Pure Vinyl and out of my Safari browser: for all of these, the volume control in the app  works to control volume using the exact same set up as for Media Center. For this set up, I cannot get Media Center 26 to do what every other app can do.

If I connect my MacMini to the 240i via the headphone port on the macmini to the media input on the 240i, the volume control on Media Center works fine: can anyone help me to be able to control volume via the MediaCenter 26 volume control while sending music to my integrated amp through the USB connection?

Thanks very much

Matt:
Try Internal Volume.  It's 64-bit so as good as it gets.

LouisThe:
Thanks, Matt: no luck though- what I did do is go into system preferences-sound-under  device for output, 2  items are listed 1. internal speakers (built in) and 2. Moon USB DSD HD Audio. Preferences will not allow me to select Moon USB, or more accurately, will allow me to select it, but within seconds, leaves it to return to "Built In" with no control given to the USB. If I shut down Media Center 26, preferences immediately selects USB and gives me volume control on the computer for Apple Music, Safari and Pure Vinyl: so something happens when I launch Media Center 26 that prevents the Mac Mini from accessing USB. Now I should say that, in MC 26, under Playback Options, Audio device shows the Moon USB DSD etc. So, it appears that something in MC 26 is preventing the Mac Mini's preferences from  choosing USB in the preferences and from giving volume control to MC 26.

LouisThe:
I should be clearer: it appears that something in MC  26 is preventing the Mac Mini's sound preferences from selecting the USB connection for the purposes of volume control: in MC 26, the music is still travelling by USB to the integrated amp-- but when MC 26 is launched, preferences will not allow me to select the USB port to give the Mini, and hence MC 26 (apparently) volume control:

blgentry:
There are a few settings that will probably help you with this. 

1.  Exclusive access.  This setting makes MC "own" the audio device while it's in use. No other programs are allowed to touch it while MC has it.  You can turn that off here:
Tools > Options > Audio > Audio Device > Device settings > Device > Open with exclusive access > (uncheck to turn off)
2.  It sounds like you want to use the Mac's sound controls to turn the volume up and down.  The keyboard controls, the slider in the audio device at the top of the screen, etc.  If that's what you want, try #1 first.  If that doesn't work, then you probably want to turn on System Volume mode.  That makes MC use the OS (mac OS) volume controls:
Tools > Options > Audio > Volume > Volume Mode > System Volume
3.  Yet another option with Volume is to have MC use the Media Keys on your keyboard.  But in this case, MC "listens to" the media keys, as opposed to using System Volume.  You can control Media Key settings here:
Tools > Options > General > Advanced > Media Key Mode > (experiment with the options here)

Hopefully #1 or #2 sorts out your issue.
Good luck!

Brian.

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