INTERACT FORUM

More => Old Versions => JRiver Media Center 22 for Mac => Topic started by: chrisc on May 02, 2017, 09:11:16 am

Title: Denafrips ARES DAC - playing DSD files
Post by: chrisc on May 02, 2017, 09:11:16 am

I have been running an ARES DAC from a MacBook using JRiver using these settings:

The output encoding is set to None
The sample rate is set to "no change" for each value
The channels set to "source no of channels"

However, I notice that on about half 24 bit 192KHz recordings, the 44.1 and 4X lights come on.  Alternatively the 48 light and 4X light comes on.  Playing DSD recordings shows the 44.1 light and 8X light

Do you know what would allow the DSD light to come on?

Title: Re: Denafrips ARES DAC - playing DSD files
Post by: tyler69 on May 02, 2017, 10:27:43 am

You probably need to bitstream DSD (options->audio->settings).

Title: Re: Denafrips ARES DAC - playing DSD files
Post by: chrisc on May 04, 2017, 09:26:58 am

Yes, I tried Bitstream.  When I clicked on Play, a hiss came out the speakers

In Audirvana+, there is a setting:

Stereo:
Native DSD - DSD over PCM standard 1.0 or 1.1

Invoking this causes Audirvana to deliver a DSD signal to the DAC

Is there a similar setting in JRiver?

Title: Re: Denafrips ARES DAC - playing DSD files
Post by: tyler69 on May 04, 2017, 11:25:27 am

Yes, in "options->audio->audio device->device settings" check "dsd bitstream in dop format".

Title: Re: Denafrips ARES DAC - playing DSD files
Post by: chrisc on May 05, 2017, 07:00:50 am

Teeny bit of progress...

Selecting Bitstream causes a hiss from the speakers
Selecting DSD in DOP format gets a sound, but it warbles

There is no "dsd bitstream in dop format" option offered.  Are you sure you are looking at the Mac version?

Title: Re: Denafrips ARES DAC - playing DSD files
Post by: Awesome Donkey on May 05, 2017, 07:06:59 am

You might have to open the Audio MIDI Setup app in macOS (located in the Applications folder > Utilities folder), then set the output format to the highest bit depth/sample rate available for your DAC. It sounds strange, I know, but it's required for some DACs (e.g. Schiit DACs for example).

P.S. The "DSD bitstream in DoP format" option isn't available on macOS/CoreAudio, so ignore that one. Just enable DSD bitstreaming and try the above and see if it works any better.