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More => Old Versions => JRiver Media Center 27 for Mac => Topic started by: AGAWA on April 01, 2021, 04:06:50 am

Title: 3 stereo DACs aggregated on MAC - do I need there separate ports
Post by: AGAWA on April 01, 2021, 04:06:50 am

Hi,
I'm thinking about using 3 stereo DACs on MAC, aggregate the three and use in MCH setup.
Do I need to connect them to 3 different USB ports? Or use a hub?, one port in MAC and three out of the hub to DACs?
Your experiences please.

Title: Re: 3 stereo DACs aggregated on MAC - do I need there separate ports
Post by: Wheaten on April 01, 2021, 06:27:47 am

I don't think JRiver supports 3 different audio channels on USB.
And no clue why you would want this, 3 DAC's for the same Stereo output.

If you vote for a hub, do some research as USB hubs have a very negative impact on Audio quality.
Normally i am not concerned when speaking in the digital domain (just bits), but USB is a strange one.
There is no control or correction on USB transport for digital audio.
Whatever happens between source and receiver will be received as is. (including EMC spark, PSU ripples,.....)

Title: Re: 3 stereo DACs aggregated on MAC - do I need there separate ports
Post by: AGAWA on April 01, 2021, 07:47:27 am

I'm seeking advice on - how to setup 3  x 2ch DACs , aggregated in Mac OS so they constitute 6ch MCH DAC.
People do this and it works in JRiver.
Anyone with such experience please comment.
I know Kal Rubinson does  it.
Do I need 3 separate USB-A ports on Mac or just one port with  USB hub attached (hub with 3 ports) ( Kal R mentions plain Belkin USB hub).
If on hub - how will I synchronise all 3 DACs?
Mac OS has ability to set different use of clock and sync.

Title: Re: 3 stereo DACs aggregated on MAC - do I need there separate ports
Post by: AGAWA on April 01, 2021, 09:22:10 am

found rather extensive discussion here:
https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,128850.0/prev_next,next.html#new

Title: Re: 3 stereo DACs aggregated on MAC - do I need there separate ports
Post by: iansr on August 02, 2021, 05:13:56 pm

AGAWA;  I’m very interested in this subject as well.  I want to implement 6 or 8 channels in JRive’ s  convolver using filters derived from AudioLense and then feed multiple DACs using the Mac’s Aggregate Device facility.  Ideally I think each DAC would be plugged into a USB port on the Mac rather than use a hub.

Title: Re: 3 stereo DACs aggregated on MAC - do I need there separate ports
Post by: iansr on August 02, 2021, 05:16:51 pm

Quote from: AGAWA on April 01, 2021, 09:22:10 am

found rather extensive discussion here:
https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,128850.0/prev_next,next.html#new

Wrong link ??