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[dorianm]

Some DSD files constantly buffer. Same files play fine on other players like Colibri. I've had to load only DSD 128 and below to avoid buffering issues.

So I'm forced to use two players, one for under 128 and one for over the 128 (Colibri).

Not sure what audio engine MC31 uses, but Colibri uses BASS, and I believe it sounds better and is way faster. But MC31's file management and interface is what I like about MC31, which Colibri is years behind on both.

[JimH]

You may have limited bandwidth somewhere.  Network or file storage.

You can use MC's DSP Studio > Output format to convert some formats to a lower resolution.

[Wiki]

[dorianm]

You may have limited bandwidth somewhere.  Network or file storage.

You can use MC's DSP Studio > Output format to convert some formats to a lower resolution.

[Wiki]

I'm playing locally via SSD drives, straight thru SPDF unto the DAC.

[JimH]

Does S/PDIF involve a convertor? 

I don't know what the limit is for S/PDIF.

[Awesome Donkey]

Hmmm, are you bitstreaming DSD? Not really sure if that works through S/PDIF (I don't think it does, but I could be wrong). Because if you're not using DSD bitstreaming, it's doing a DSD conversion with a PCM stage in the middle and that could and likely would be the cause of the buffering.

https://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/DSD

[Awesome Donkey]

Oh, though, DSD512 likely can't be bitstreamed on macOS because macOS only supports DoP via CoreAudio and the majority of DoP-capable DACs don't support PCM sample rates high enough needed for DSD512 over DoP (DSD256 via DoP is usually the max supported on macOS and DoP). So in all likelihood it's converting it, and the Mac isn't fast enough to handle the DSD > PCM > DSD (or DSD > PCM) on-the-fly conversion, hence buffering issues. All DSD conversions go through a PCM step in the middle (which DSD to PCM or PCM to DSD is a lossy conversion), which is unavoidable.

DSD conversions (especially higher rate DSD and multichannel) are some of the most resource intensive tasks Media Center can do, and buffering during playback is an indication that the PC/Mac isn't powerful enough to handle it. You'd have to do all the conversions before playback and play those converted files in order to workaround this.

[dorianm]

Does S/PDIF involve a convertor? 

I don't know what the limit is for S/PDIF.

It can't be the SPDF, as I am able to play via the other app, Colibri at full res.

[dorianm]

Oh, though, DSD512 likely can't be bitstreamed on macOS because macOS only supports DoP via CoreAudio and the majority of DoP-capable DACs don't support PCM sample rates high enough needed for DSD512 over DoP (DSD256 via DoP is usually the max supported on macOS and DoP). So in all likelihood it's converting it, and the Mac isn't fast enough to handle the DSD > PCM > DSD (or DSD > PCM) on-the-fly conversion, hence buffering issues. All DSD conversions go through a PCM step in the middle (which DSD to PCM or PCM to DSD is a lossy conversion), which is unavoidable.

DSD conversions (especially higher rate DSD and multichannel) are some of the most resource intensive tasks Media Center can do, and buffering during playback is an indication that the PC/Mac isn't powerful enough to handle it. You'd have to do all the conversions before playback and play those converted files in order to workaround this.

So how is Colibri doing it? They use the BASS library and it seems to work flawlessly. I also encapsulate the files, which I can then play thru Apple's Music app. But of course I rather use MC because of the viewing options.

[dorianm]

Oh, though, DSD512 likely can't be bitstreamed on macOS because macOS only supports DoP via CoreAudio and the majority of DoP-capable DACs don't support PCM sample rates high enough needed for DSD512 over DoP (DSD256 via DoP is usually the max supported on macOS and DoP). So in all likelihood it's converting it, and the Mac isn't fast enough to handle the DSD > PCM > DSD (or DSD > PCM) on-the-fly conversion, hence buffering issues. All DSD conversions go through a PCM step in the middle (which DSD to PCM or PCM to DSD is a lossy conversion), which is unavoidable.

DSD conversions (especially higher rate DSD and multichannel) are some of the most resource intensive tasks Media Center can do, and buffering during playback is an indication that the PC/Mac isn't powerful enough to handle it. You'd have to do all the conversions before playback and play those converted files in order to workaround this.

I wasn't aware that DSD to PCM is a lossy conversion. So am I better off converting to FLAC 384? I paid premium for the DSDs, I'd like to hear them at their best resolution.

Thanks!

[dorianm]

Oh, though, DSD512 likely can't be bitstreamed on macOS because macOS only supports DoP via CoreAudio and the majority of DoP-capable DACs don't support PCM sample rates high enough needed for DSD512 over DoP (DSD256 via DoP is usually the max supported on macOS and DoP). So in all likelihood it's converting it, and the Mac isn't fast enough to handle the DSD > PCM > DSD (or DSD > PCM) on-the-fly conversion, hence buffering issues. All DSD conversions go through a PCM step in the middle (which DSD to PCM or PCM to DSD is a lossy conversion), which is unavoidable.

DSD conversions (especially higher rate DSD and multichannel) are some of the most resource intensive tasks Media Center can do, and buffering during playback is an indication that the PC/Mac isn't powerful enough to handle it. You'd have to do all the conversions before playback and play those converted files in order to workaround this.

It's also strange that I am playing a DSD512 right now on MC without issues. It did buffer before starting, but now it's playing flawlessly and the CPUs are at only 15%.

It seems to be only that album in particular. Not sure why. I will contact the vendor.

Thanks!

[AGAWA]

google specs of SPDIF. There is a limit.

[blgentry]

It's high likely that you are not playing 512 DSD via SPD/IF (coaxial or optical digital cable).  If your DAC has a readout, it should show what it is receiving. 

MC for Mac only sends DoP DSD on Mac unless you have a very specific DAC with one of the only DSD drivers made for Mac.  As far as I know there's only one company that makes a DSD driver for Mac for their DAC.  All others use DoP. 

Check the Audio Path in MC.  Player > Audio Path
That will show you exactly what is coming in to MC and what MC is sending out.  You will probably see PCM being sent out.

The conversion of DSD to PCM is not lossy like an MP3.  Rather, it is a conversion between incompatible formats.  DSD and be converted to PCM and back again, but the information is changed slightly along the way because the formats are not equivalent.  In a strict sense, it's a "lossy" conversion, but the change is very mild.  Lossy MP3s are an entirely different thing that are far more audible in terms of the information that is lost along the way.

"Converting to FLAC 384" is essentially the same thing as having MC send PCM to your DAC.  FLAC uses a PCM representation.

Again, be sure to check the Audio Path and you'll see what's really going on.

Best of luck,
Brian.

[dorianm]

Does S/PDIF involve a convertor? 

I don't know what the limit is for S/PDIF.

No, it's straight out of the MacPro unto the DAC.

[dorianm]

It's high likely that you are not playing 512 DSD via SPD/IF (coaxial or optical digital cable).  If your DAC has a readout, it should show what it is receiving. 

MC for Mac only sends DoP DSD on Mac unless you have a very specific DAC with one of the only DSD drivers made for Mac.  As far as I know there's only one company that makes a DSD driver for Mac for their DAC.  All others use DoP. 

Check the Audio Path in MC.  Player > Audio Path
That will show you exactly what is coming in to MC and what MC is sending out.  You will probably see PCM being sent out.

The conversion of DSD to PCM is not lossy like an MP3.  Rather, it is a conversion between incompatible formats.  DSD and be converted to PCM and back again, but the information is changed slightly along the way because the formats are not equivalent.  In a strict sense, it's a "lossy" conversion, but the change is very mild.  Lossy MP3s are an entirely different thing that are far more audible in terms of the information that is lost along the way.

"Converting to FLAC 384" is essentially the same thing as having MC send PCM to your DAC.  FLAC uses a PCM representation.

Again, be sure to check the Audio Path and you'll see what's really going on.

Best of luck,
Brian.

A lot of great info there.

Well, indeed it is being downconverter to PCM (see screenshot).

So how exactly can I play DSD files without conversion?

Also, I am uploading a screenshot of MC using more than 90Gigs of RAM before I forced quit it.

Thanks!

[Awesome Donkey]

If you want to playback DSD without conversions, you have to bitstream DSD to your DAC, which I don't think you can via S/PDIF unfortunately. Usually it's done via USB or DLNA if it supports DSD-over-DLNA.

However, every DAC I've seen don't have PCM sample rates needed for DSD512 over DoP (which as mentioned several times is basically the only means of playing back DSD on macOS without conversion). This means if you're trying to playback DSD512 on macOS, the only way to do it is via conversion (which is always a lossy conversion with a PCM step in the middle).

If your DAC supports DSD512 via native DSD, you'd need to be using Windows and the ASIO driver from the DAC manufacturer to play it back (via USB, DLNA, etc.). Otherwise DSD512 conversion (to DSD256, DSD128, etc.) on macOS is unavoidable.

The wiki covers DSD stuff quite a bit: https://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/DSD

I wasn't aware that DSD to PCM is a lossy conversion. So am I better off converting to FLAC 384? I paid premium for the DSDs, I'd like to hear them at their best resolution.

All conversions involving DSD in Media Center is a lossy conversion. DSD > PCM, PCM > DSD, DSD > DSD, all of them are lossy conversions and it's not possible to losslessly convert between PCM and DSD. The conversion has to go through a PCM step in the middle (as mentioned several times already), so in reality DSD to DSD conversions look like DSD > PCM > DSD. Like when converting DSD512 to DSD256, it'd be DSD512 > PCM > DSD256 which is unavoidable (and is a lossy conversion). My guess with Colibri playing it back is, it's doing the conversions in the background without informing you.

What DAC are you using? It should be simple to look up its capabilities.

[AGAWA]

TOSLINK is even more restrictive than coax.

[dorianm]

If you want to playback DSD without conversions, you have to bitstream DSD to your DAC, which I don't think you can via S/PDIF unfortunately. Usually it's done via USB or DLNA if it supports DSD-over-DLNA.
...

Yes, I just started using the "bitstream", and my DAC doesn't even support the native DSD, which I thought it did. But there are new version of quite inexpensive DACS that do support DSD512. But at this point, I don't even see the point, as I certainly use EQ on most songs. And that forces a DSD->PCM->DSD conversion and I just don't see the point to that.

Based on this video, I am not really sure I need any of it. A good FLAC at its highest rate is just as good for a human ear as any DSD.

There is a test at 20khz, which I didn't pass. Meaning my ears cannot hear the sound.

It's an interesting view and not to time consuming. Let me know if you watched it and what your thoughts are on chasing pure DSD.

Thanks,  Dorian


https://youtu.be/-jCwIsT0X8M

[Awesome Donkey]

Again, for the majority of DACs on the market, on macOS using CoreAudio only DoP is supported and not native DSD, and I've never seen any DACs with a PCM sample rate of 1411.2 kHz which is required for DSD512 over DoP to work. As of right now, DSD256 is likely the limit on macOS for the majority of DACs out there. To do DSD512 via native DSD, you'd have to use Windows and use the DAC manufacturer's ASIO driver or a Linux distro using ALSA, assuming the Linux kernel has support for your DAC.

P.S. The whole thing about PCM vs. DSD which is better debate is a whole can of worms that can be... unpleasant dealing with when engaging with others. Personally, I'd say find and listen to whatever you like and sounds best to you. I also personally can't hear any difference between PCM or DSD, so I don't favor one or the other and listen to both.

[JimH]

Under MC's Tools Menu, there's a Listening Test.  You can ask MC to take a clip and convert it into multiple formats, then listen and rate each one.  Almost nobody does it successfully.  One person did once say that he got them all correct.

The point is that most people can't hear differences once you get to lossless or even close to it.

Instructions are here:  https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=107924.0

[dorianm]

Under MC's Tools Menu, there's a Listening Test.  You can ask MC to take a clip and convert it into multiple formats, then listen and rate each one.  Almost nobody does it successfully.  One person did once say that he got them all correct.

The point is that most people can't hear differences once you get to lossless or even close to it.

Instructions are here:  https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=107924.0

I dig it. I tried it between a CD rip, aif, against a FLAC 384, and I liked the FLAC much more. The aif sounded dull, almost under a rap, while the FLAC sounded clear and more "there".

I just got a new DAC, should arrive tomorrow. I'll test to see if I can play DSD512 natively and see how it sounds against the aif and flags.

Thanks!!

[AGAWA]

I'm playing locally via SSD drives, straight thru SPDF unto the DAC.

Considering that you are using SPDIF for output the whole conversation is very interesting.
The limit for SPDIF is 192/24 PCM.

[Awesome Donkey]

I just got a new DAC, should arrive tomorrow. I'll test to see if I can play DSD512 natively and see how it sounds against the aif and flags.

Just remember if you're using macOS, you're going to likely be limited to DSD256 and not be able to playback DSD512 without conversion due to the DoP limitation.

Also like AGAWA pointed out S/PDIF is definitely going to be a limiting factor here, it's recommended to connect the DAC to the PC/Mac directly via USB and use that as the audio output in Media Center, and not use S/PDIF which I assume is using the onboard DAC in the Mac for playback (and not really the DAC, since that's being fed via S/PDIF from the Mac's onboard audio output). Using USB from the Mac (or PC, whichever) to the DAC avoids that kind of thing, but you still can't really workaround the DSD512 DoP limitation on macOS.

[JimH]

I dig it. I tried it between a CD rip, aif, against a FLAC 384, and I liked the FLAC much more. The aif sounded dull, almost under a rap, while the FLAC sounded clear and more "there".

Were you able to rank them correctly without looking to see what you were playing?

[dorianm]

Were you able to rank them correctly without looking to see what you were playing?

Haven't done it and won't be able to do it till Wednesday at the earliest. I'll update.

Thanks

[dorianm]

Were you able to rank them correctly without looking to see what you were playing?

I just got this from the manufacturer of the new DAC.

"Dear Dorian,

Thank you for choosing the SMSL D12 DAC. We understand that you have concerns regarding playing pure DSD audio through your MAC PRO when connected to the D12, as the MAC system only supports DOP256. Allow me to explain the situation in detail.

The latest versions of Apple's operating systems come with USB drivers that only support the PCM format. Additionally, the central audio processing engine of macOS, known as CoreAudio, also exclusively supports PCM internally. However, there is no limitation on the sampling frequency imposed by macOS, which is fortunate. Due to the architectural design of Apple's operating system, sound software developers are compelled to utilize CoreAudio as the standard format for all sound-related activities. Consequently, on the Mac platform, PCM is the primary format available. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that DoP (DSD over PCM) has now become the standard specification for DSD transmission. As long as both the Mac software and the USB DAC support DoP, it is possible to achieve DSD transmission.

On the other hand, Windows systems support ASIO drivers (unlike macOS), which provide support for both PCM and DSD formats without any restrictions on the sampling frequency or bit depth. Based on the information provided, the SMSL D12 indeed supports DSD up to DSD512.

However, the unfortunate limitation you are experiencing with DOP256 on the MAC system is a result of the constraints imposed by macOS itself. It's crucial to note that this limitation does not indicate any deficiency in the D12's capabilities but rather a restriction imposed by the macOS platform.

If you wish to fully experience DSD512, switching to a Windows system that supports ASIO drivers would be the ideal solution. We understand that this limitation may be disappointing for MAC users who are keen on higher DSD sample rates. Nevertheless, we want to assure you that the SMSL D12 DAC is fully capable of supporting DSD512 when used with a compatible system like Windows."

So based on this, Apple is the devil in disguise for HiFi Audio and there is no way to play DSD on the Mac without a conversion to DoP.

Is Linux the same? Or can Linux have the ASIO drivers with full PCM / DSD support?

Cause I really don't want to run windows.

[Awesome Donkey]

I just got this from the manufacturer of the new DAC.So based on this, Apple is the devil in disguise for HiFi Audio and there is no way to play DSD on the Mac without a conversion to DoP.

DSD-over-PCM (DoP) isn't a conversion, it's a data transport method. In simple terms it packs the DSD data in a PCM steam with a DoP header, which the DAC reconfigures as DSD and "unpacks" the data and plays it back as DSD. Furthermore the end result of DSD data delivered over DoP and native DSD is exactly the same, there's literally no difference besides the data transport being packed in PCM or direct.

It's just on macOS (CoreAudio) that DoP is the only option for DSD playback as Apple will likely never add native DSD support. The "downside" to DoP is that DoP depends on the PCM sample rates the DAC supports to determine what the maximum DSD it can support. Here's a little cheat sheet of DSD via DoP and the PCM sample rates the DAC would need to support.


DSD64 via DoP requires the DAC to support a PCM sample rate of 176.4 kHz

DSD128 via DoP requires the DAC to support a PCM sample rate of 352.8 kHz

DSD256 via DoP requires the DAC to support a PCM sample rate of 705.6 kHz


Now, all the DACs I've seen only support DSD256 over DoP, requiring native DSD support (Windows or Linux if the kernel supports the DAC) for DSD512. But if higher sample rate DSD was currently possible via DoP, here's what that would look like...


DSD512 via DoP would require the DAC to support a PCM sample rate of 1411.2 kHz

DSD1024 via DoP would require the DAC to support a PCM sample rate of 2822.4 kHz


Regarding Linux, native DSD being supported depends on the DAC and if the Linux kernel has support for the DAC, otherwise you may be limited to DoP there too. Keep in mind, Linux has larger learning curves than Mac does, especially if you've never used Linux before. Would actually recommend using Windows over Linux if DSD512 is actually a priority here. I'm afraid it's going to have wider support here for native DSD with a ASIO driver. ASIO is Windows only (though a DAC manufacturer created its own proprietary ASIO driver for macOS). On Linux it goes through ALSA and as mentioned native DSD support depends if the Linux kernel being used has support for the DAC, if not then for DSD512 it's likely Windows only there.

[dorianm]

DSD-over-PCM (DoP) isn't a conversion, it's a data transport method. In simple terms it packs the DSD data in a PCM steam with a DoP header, which the DAC reconfigures as DSD and "unpacks" the data and plays it back as DSD. Furthermore the end result of DSD data delivered over DoP and native DSD is exactly the same, there's literally no difference besides the data transport being packed in PCM or direct.

It's just on macOS (CoreAudio) that DoP is the only option for DSD playback as Apple will likely never add native DSD support. The "downside" to DoP is that DoP depends on the PCM sample rates the DAC supports to determine what the maximum DSD it can support. Here's a little cheat sheet of DSD via DoP and the PCM sample rates the DAC would need to support.


DSD64 via DoP requires the DAC to support a PCM sample rate of 176.4 kHz

DSD128 via DoP requires the DAC to support a PCM sample rate of 352.8 kHz

DSD256 via DoP requires the DAC to support a PCM sample rate of 705.6 kHz


Now, all the DACs I've seen only support DSD256 over DoP, requiring native DSD support (Windows or Linux if the kernel supports the DAC) for DSD512. But if higher sample rate DSD was currently possible via DoP, here's what that would look like...


DSD512 via DoP would require the DAC to support a PCM sample rate of 1411.2 kHz

DSD1024 via DoP would require the DAC to support a PCM sample rate of 2822.4 kHz


Regarding Linux, native DSD being supported depends on the DAC and if the Linux kernel has support for the DAC, otherwise you may be limited to DoP there too. Keep in mind, Linux has larger learning curves than Mac does, especially if you've never used Linux before. Would actually recommend using Windows over Linux if DSD512 is actually a priority here. I'm afraid it's going to have wider support here for native DSD with a ASIO driver. ASIO is Windows only (though a DAC manufacturer created its own proprietary ASIO driver for macOS). On Linux it goes through ALSA and as mentioned native DSD support depends if the Linux kernel being used has support for the DAC, if not then for DSD512 it's likely Windows only there.

Great break down, I'm understanding this much better now.

Would emulating Windows work on a MacPro Intel with enough RAM?

[Awesome Donkey]

Great break down, I'm understanding this much better now.

Would emulating Windows work on a MacPro Intel with enough RAM?

Using Boot Camp? Should generally work fine for Intel-based Macs, yeah. If dual booting isn't desirable, then using software like Parallels to run virtualized Windows within macOS could be a way to go. I believe on Apple Silicon-based Macs, Parallels would likely be the only current solution as Boot Camp is no longer a thing.

[dorianm]

Using Boot Camp? Should generally work fine for Intel-based Macs, yeah. If dual booting isn't desirable, then using software like Parallels to run virtualized Windows within macOS could be a way to go. I believe on Apple Silicon-based Macs, Parallels would likely be the only current solution as Boot Camp is no longer a thing.

Ok, then! We have a solution! Thank you very much!

[dorianm]

Using Boot Camp? Should generally work fine for Intel-based Macs, yeah. If dual booting isn't desirable, then using software like Parallels to run virtualized Windows within macOS could be a way to go. I believe on Apple Silicon-based Macs, Parallels would likely be the only current solution as Boot Camp is no longer a thing.

Not it's stuttering, and I can't figure out why.

[Awesome Donkey]

I assume you're using Boot Camp? Is DSD bitstreaming enabled? ASIO driver for the DAC installed and being used as the audio output in MC? A screenshot of the audio path during playback will likely help with this.

[dorianm]

I assume you're using Boot Camp? Is DSD bitstreaming enabled? ASIO driver for the DAC installed and being used as the audio output in MC? A screenshot of the audio path during playback will likely help with this.

No, I haven't started the windows emulation yet. I made some changes to the playback, but I changed everything back to what it was, and it still stuttering.

[dorianm]

I assume you're using Boot Camp? Is DSD bitstreaming enabled? ASIO driver for the DAC installed and being used as the audio output in MC? A screenshot of the audio path during playback will likely help with this.

I switch between the USB output of the computer and assign the same output in MC, but it continues to play thru the previous output. Very strange.

[dorianm]

I assume you're using Boot Camp? Is DSD bitstreaming enabled? ASIO driver for the DAC installed and being used as the audio output in MC? A screenshot of the audio path during playback will likely help with this.

And it's doing it on both USB outputs.  It's only doing it on dsf, Colibri plays without stutters.

[dorianm]

I assume you're using Boot Camp? Is DSD bitstreaming enabled? ASIO driver for the DAC installed and being used as the audio output in MC? A screenshot of the audio path during playback will likely help with this.

and it can't play dsf via Bluetooth by auto resampling? Colibri can play the dsf files via BT.

[Awesome Donkey]

No, I haven't started the windows emulation yet. I made some changes to the playback, but I changed everything back to what it was, and it still stuttering.

If you're still trying to playback DSD512 in MC on macOS it has to convert it on-the-fly during playback and since DSD conversions in MC are resource intensive that's why it's stuttering (especially higher the sample rate DSD it is, and if it's stereo or multichannel audio). Simply put, it's stuttering during playback in MC because the Mac isn't fast enough to handle the on-the-fly conversion. Don't know what Colibri is doing, never heard of it/used it. It's very likely converting it to something, as there's no way any app could currently playback DSD512 on macOS without conversion with your DAC.

You're not going to be able to playback DSD512 on macOS without converting it, because your DAC doesn't support DSD512 via DoP. The limit for your DAC on macOS without conversion is DSD256 via DoP.

[Awesome Donkey]

and it can't play dsf via Bluetooth by auto resampling? Colibri can play the dsf files via BT.

It's probably converting it to PCM at 48 kHz. Most Bluetooth audio devices only support PCM at 48 kHz, and is very limiting to use as you can read in this article. Unless I'm mistaken (which I don't think I am) but DSD isn't supported natively over Bluetooth at all, so it has to be converted to PCM (and likely at 48 kHz), more than likely.

[dorianm]

If you're still trying to playback DSD512 in MC on macOS it has to convert it on-the-fly during playback and since DSD conversions in MC are resource intensive that's why it's stuttering (especially higher the sample rate DSD it is, and if it's stereo or multichannel audio). Simply put, it's stuttering during playback in MC because the Mac isn't fast enough to handle the on-the-fly conversion. Don't know what Colibri is doing, never heard of it/used it. It's very likely converting it to something, as there's no way any app could currently playback DSD512 on macOS without conversion with your DAC.

You're not going to be able to playback DSD512 on macOS without converting it, because your DAC doesn't support DSD512 via DoP. The limit for your DAC on macOS without conversion is DSD256 via DoP.

No, I've tried DSD64 and still happening.  It wasn't doing it before. Before it just wouldn't play 512, but had no issues with lower ones. Now it's having an issue with all of them.

[Awesome Donkey]

No, I've tried DSD64 and still happening.  It wasn't doing it before. Before it just wouldn't play 512, but had no issues with lower ones. Now it's having an issue with all of them.

Are you using DSD bitstreaming? If you're using DSP Studio > Output Format > Output Encoding set to a DSD option, it's converting everything to DSD (even DSD). Make sure Output Encoding is set to None, then go to MC's Options > Audio > Settings and set the Bitstreaming option to DSD. Also make sure you're using exclusive mode in the device settings under Audio Device.

If it's still not working, post a screenshot of the audio path during playback.

[dorianm]

Are you using DSD bitstreaming? If you're using DSP Studio > Output Format > Output Encoding set to a DSD option, it's converting everything to DSD (even DSD). Make sure Output Encoding is set to None, then go to MC's Options > Audio > Settings and set the Bitstreaming option to DSD. Also make sure you're using exclusive mode in the device settings under Audio Device.

If it's still not working, post a screenshot of the audio path during playback.

I have the Bit streaming set to none, because otherwise I get the DSD output error.
in the DSP Output Encoding I have it set to none as well. 

[dorianm]

Are you using DSD bitstreaming? If you're using DSP Studio > Output Format > Output Encoding set to a DSD option, it's converting everything to DSD (even DSD). Make sure Output Encoding is set to None, then go to MC's Options > Audio > Settings and set the Bitstreaming option to DSD. Also make sure you're using exclusive mode in the device settings under Audio Device.

If it's still not working, post a screenshot of the audio path during playback.

And it's not really a stutter, it's like a clicking sound. And the CPU is not doing much. And now it's doing it with all files, including aif.

I'm giving up on this thing.

Is there a way to get a refund? This is an expensive piece of software and it's one issue after another.

[Awesome Donkey]

What error? Because DSD bitstreaming needs to be enabled or else MC is converting everything to PCM.

Screenshot of your MC Options > Audio would likely help too, to see what audio output is being used. Sounds like something is misconfigured somewhere.

[AGAWA]

and it can't play dsf via Bluetooth by auto resampling? Colibri can play the dsf files via BT.

Apple implements AAC in BT

[dorianm]

What error? Because DSD bitstreaming needs to be enabled or else MC is converting everything to PCM.

Screenshot of your MC Options > Audio would likely help too, to see what audio output is being used. Sounds like something is misconfigured somewhere.

Well whatever it is doing, it's not good. If I am running Apple's Music app, and I turn on MC, Apple Music starts making the same noise. If I quit MC, the issue goes away.

[dorianm]

What error? Because DSD bitstreaming needs to be enabled or else MC is converting everything to PCM.

Screenshot of your MC Options > Audio would likely help too, to see what audio output is being used. Sounds like something is misconfigured somewhere.

I took out the auto watch music folder in the library manager, and the noise stopped.

[dorianm]

What error? Because DSD bitstreaming needs to be enabled or else MC is converting everything to PCM.

Screenshot of your MC Options > Audio would likely help too, to see what audio output is being used. Sounds like something is misconfigured somewhere.

The noise stopped on aif, but it's still there on dsf, no matter what resolution.

This app is not for working out. Is there a path to a refund?

[AGAWA]

opencores is the spoiler???

[EnglishTiger]

This app is not for working out. Is there a path to a refund?

No - Just like that Apple Product you are using MC with there is no guarantee that any Hardware, or Software, is capable of satisfying every Individuals Wants/Needs/Requirements

[Awesome Donkey]

Again, screenshots of all your audio settings under MC's Options > Audio and screenshots of the audio path during playback would likely help with figuring this out. A screenshot of DSP Studio > Output Format may help too. And you are connecting the DAC to the Mac via USB and not S/PDIF, right? Because DSD bitstreaming is not going to work via S/PDIF. And I wouldn't recommend blindly changing settings and whatnot trying to fix this, because it could mess with other things.

Though one setting you might try toggling the integer mode option under MC's Options > Audio > Device settings and see if that makes a difference.

Generally for DSD playback on macOS via bitstreaming, you also need to 1) make sure system volume (and internal volume in MC) is set to 100% or else you may just get noise and 2) you need to open the Audio MIDI Setup app in macOS and make sure it's set to the max sample rate available for your DAC.

[JimH]

What error? Because DSD bitstreaming needs to be enabled or else MC is converting everything to PCM.

Screenshot of your MC Options > Audio would likely help too, to see what audio output is being used. Sounds like something is misconfigured somewhere.

It's really hard for Awesome Donkey to help if you don't follow his advice.