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Author Topic: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback  (Read 5690 times)

Birchman

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Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« on: May 30, 2023, 02:20:05 pm »

I presently use a Mac which outputs to an mid-price range Marantz amp. 

For quite awhile there is something that I have noticed with the JRiver where the playback of stored audio media files (WAV, FLAC, mp3, etc)  seems somewhat compressed or shrill sounding especially on the high end of the dynamic range. 

This has led me to constantly try other media players.  I am not presently hearing the same problem to anywhere near the same extent with at least two other audio players (Colibri and the resident Apple music player). 

What I am hearing on these other two players is a more organic or analog sounding play back.

I think I was having the same problem with Window machines before I converted to Apple in the last year or so. 

I seem to remember shifting between different players on my Windows machines.  I have one Windows machine playing through another amp in my garage and it seem to have the same problem with JRiver playback. 

My sensitivity to compressed sounding playback might be different than for many others but the playback at times is grating somewhat like fingernails on a chalkboard or fatiguing.  Is anyone else experiencing this playback problem?
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blgentry

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2023, 02:38:32 pm »

Are you using DLNA (network) to connect to these devices?  If so the default "server profile" for that sends MP3 audio.  If you can check your Marantz while playback is happening, it should show you the file type and bit rate.  You will probably see MP3.

Fixing this requires a bit of configuration that I haven't done in a very long time.  You can get started at:

Tools > Options > Media Network > Add or configure DLNA servers

Best of luck.

Brian.
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Birchman

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2023, 09:11:27 pm »

My output is an HDMI cable straight from the Mac to the Amp, similar to the configuration for my windows machines. 

I am primarily playing WAV or FLAC files at 44/16.  I have always used whatever default setting JRiver sets.

The Marantz amp does not show file type, etc during playback. 

I did try turning the DLNA feature completely off and then back on with no change to what I am hearing. 

This problem seems to be similar to compression problems found when an audio engineer boosts the high or mid range in a remastering.
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Awesome Donkey

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2023, 03:48:48 am »

Is it a new M1 or M2 Apple Silicon-based Mac? If so, HDMI audio output on those are limited to 48 kHz and it's likely there's some resampling going on there. Only way around it is to avoid using HDMI from the Mac, as it is probably a chipset limitation of Apple Silicon-based Macs. You can verify this by opening the Audio MIDI Setup app in macOS and see if it displays 48 kHz for all output options (as seen in the screenshot posted in the link I posted).
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Manfred

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2023, 05:36:16 am »

On Audioscience Review you could find an interesting article about SQ using HDMI:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/a-deep-dive-into-hdmi-audio-performance.56/

For audio it's better to use USB->DAC with galvanic isolation. I don' think your Marantz builtin DAC has galvanic isolation. If you want better SQ you could try a USB DAC with analog out to Marantz (should have analog inputs?). Maybe one of your friends or dealer could give you one for testing?

If you use DLNA:  Use Whitebear DLNA tool to check your server and device settings. Use the search engine to look for Whitebears tool.

48kHz on Mac Limit - My very personal Comment:
I think it's Apple's strategy to limit video content to 48kHz sample rate. HDMI IF reflects that . They want to drive the streaming market to a standard. I have only two old concert BD's with 96 kHz. Every new commercial video content I have seen the last years is limited to 48 kHz or below. For Audio only Apple strategy is to use Ethernet, WiFi or USB/Thunderbold as interface.
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blgentry

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2023, 07:29:24 am »

Check DSP Studio and make sure you are not using settings that you are unaware of:  EQ, etc. 

Otherwise, if this is some subtle playback quality, I wish you luck in identifying it.

Brian.
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Birchman

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #6 on: May 31, 2023, 01:01:37 pm »

As this is happening with both my Windows and Mac machines on different amps with different type connectors with the player set to default settings I suspect that Brian's comment about this is some being some subtle playback quality is probably correct. It might be something that only a few ears can hear and probably has not risen to a level of concern as as I might be the first person to actually try to discuss the problem.  Unfortunately for myself I will probably not be able to continue to use this player as I have found other relatively similar players that do not have this playback problem.  Thanks everyone for taking the time to offer suggestions. 
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JimH

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #7 on: May 31, 2023, 01:20:52 pm »

Did you turn off all DSP Studio settings?

Something isn't right and it's probably with your settings.

If you're using DLNA, the files may be being converted on the server.  You can change that in Media Network options.
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Birchman

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2023, 01:37:01 pm »

DSP is off.  DLNA is off.  High end/ upper mid range is still overly loud/shrill compared to other players.  Thanks for your concerned response.
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JimH

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2023, 01:43:14 pm »

I don't understand.  You said this above:
Quote
I did try turning the DLNA feature completely off and then back on with no change to what I am hearing.

I can assure you that, with default settings, JRiver isn't altering the sound from the file.

Did you test a different amp?  It's possible that the amp is a factor.

Or try converting to WAV?

You're experiencing something uncommon.  It often ends up in the "Weird Problems" thread:

https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,24031.350.html
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blgentry

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #10 on: May 31, 2023, 02:15:48 pm »

@birchman: 

You might find it useful to examine the "audio path" while a song is playing.  This should show you the source file type, the output type, and any changes that MC is making to the audio.

Player > Audio Path

There's also an icon in the upper right of MC that looks a little bit like an equalizer or sliders or a gear.  If you hover over that the audio path will also pop over so you can read it.

Best of luck.
Brian.
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Awesome Donkey

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #11 on: May 31, 2023, 02:17:15 pm »

Also might be a good idea to check the audio output is being used, if the default CoreAudio output is being used it *could* be going through the system mixer. Also integer mode being used or not may make a difference.
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Birchman

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #12 on: May 31, 2023, 03:26:14 pm »

Input is straight from the hard drive.  All of the output options for different devices route through core.  There is not any other output option for anything different except for "null output".  I can't find the integer option.  I can play the same identical file in the same drag and drop manner in at least two other player's default/straight out of the box modes and not have this playback problem which occurs in JRiver's default/straight out of the box mode.  Once again, Thanks.
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JimH

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #13 on: May 31, 2023, 03:42:24 pm »

I can play the same identical file in the same drag and drop manner in at least two other player's default/straight out of the box modes and not have this playback problem which occurs in JRiver's default/straight out of the box mode. 
Can you play an imported file instead of using drag and drop?
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Birchman

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #14 on: May 31, 2023, 04:42:25 pm »

Yes I can import files.  No diff.  I think we are beating a dead horse here.  No one else seems to be hearing what I do and there does not seem to be any quick easy fix.  Thanks for all of your help, most sincerely, Birchman.
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Awesome Donkey

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #15 on: May 31, 2023, 04:44:45 pm »

Input is straight from the hard drive.  All of the output options for different devices route through core.  There is not any other output option for anything different except for "null output".  I can't find the integer option.  I can play the same identical file in the same drag and drop manner in at least two other player's default/straight out of the box modes and not have this playback problem which occurs in JRiver's default/straight out of the box mode.  Once again, Thanks.

Integer mode option is in MC's Options > Audio > Audio Device > Device Settings... popup window.
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Birchman

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #16 on: May 31, 2023, 05:00:10 pm »

Integer mode is not enabled. The player is in whatever default mode exists upon installation and I have not made any adjustments.  Unless someone else has heard the same thing and came up with a quick fix I think I am going to give up on this problem.  Thank you very much for all of your concerned help.
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JimH

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #17 on: May 31, 2023, 05:10:18 pm »

@birchman: 

You might find it useful to examine the "audio path" while a song is playing.  This should show you the source file type, the output type, and any changes that MC is making to the audio.

Player > Audio Path

Did you do this?
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JimH

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #18 on: May 31, 2023, 05:44:51 pm »

You just need to look at it and report what you see.
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Birchman

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #19 on: May 31, 2023, 09:07:17 pm »

My bad, I did not see that Audio Path is an option.  I have attached a screen shot.  Thanks
.
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Awesome Donkey

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #20 on: June 01, 2023, 04:01:39 am »

Yeah, as expected it's resampling everything to 48 kHz to get around Apple's HDMI chipset limitation on Apple Silicon-based Macs. The only thing I can recommend is to try changing to the SoX resampler by going to MC's Options > Audio > Settings and enabling the Use SoX for resampling option and see if that makes any difference. Resampling *can* introduce artifacts that can potentially be audible to some people, so this could be what you're hearing.

To avoid resampling completely you'd have to use another connection (e.g. USB) instead of HDMI.

P.S. All other apps are also resampling audio that isn't 48 kHz as well, since over HDMI the Apple Silicon-based Macs can't playback 44.1 kHz or anything above 48 kHz without resampling first. In the background, apps are probably doing this without informing you (or the system is just doing it in the background without informing you, either way) which of course resampling is always a lossy conversion process. This is why a lot of users don't use the HDMI out from Apple Silicon-based Macs for audio as you can't get bit-perfect audio (unless the source media is 48 kHz), because of this limitation.
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blgentry

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #21 on: June 01, 2023, 07:28:59 am »

which of course resampling is always a lossy conversion process.

You keep saying this.  I'm not sure you understand what you are saying.  Resampling is not the same as lossy compression.  Yes , resampling, with most algorithms, changes the data.  But it does not reduce the data rate or anything especially adverse.  When you say "a lossy conversion", most people think this will be a very audible change.  Like converting to MP3, which reduces the data rate drastically.  Resampling does not reduce the data rate.  So it really should not be especially audible.  Yes, I avoid sample rate changes when I can.

Perhaps you know all of this already?   I'm lobbying for you to change your wording of this as I believe that these statements confuse customers that are not as technically informed as you and I.

Thank you for your consideration.

Brian.
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Awesome Donkey

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #22 on: June 01, 2023, 07:34:25 am »

Anything that changes audio data, in my book, I consider a lossy conversion, as it isn't bit-perfect and you can't resample losslessly. It's a permanent loss of the original data by changing it, and it can't be restored back to the way it was originally. Same with dithering as well, though padding bit-depths from 16-bit to 24-bit or 32-bit is fine and isn't dithering, as that's just tagging on zeroes as padding. Dithering from 24-bit to 16-bit, that's something I'd also consider a lossy conversion.

I mean, call it whatever you will and I can see how it could be confusing with lossy compression like MP3s, but I still call it a lossy conversion. Same as I do with DSD to PCM (or vice versa) conversions. *shrugs* I am open to alternative terminology though.
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Birchman

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #23 on: June 01, 2023, 12:24:12 pm »

I changed the SoX and there is not any noticeable change to what I am hearing.  I will attach a screenshot of the change.  My Marantz amp probably dates itself as it has numerous HDMI inputs and no USB inputs.  Luckily I have two apps that seem to play the music ok.  I can now see that it is probably not a coincidence that those two apps are very Mac centered.
 Hopefully JRiver can find a way sometime to remedy this problem.  In the meantime I will try to see if I can EQ around the problem.  Thanks everyone.
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blgentry

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #24 on: June 01, 2023, 01:07:03 pm »

I've been using MC on Mac for 7 or 8 years now.  I've seen a lot of interesting and unusual issues.  This one is new for me.

These other programs you use to play audio on your Mac:  They are using the exact same connection?  HDMI to your Marantz receiver?  ...and they sound substantially different than MC?

Do you think there is a volume difference between the players?  Even a small volume difference can make highs sound more prominent.

Is there anything else you can think of that might account for what you hear?  EQ settings on the other players for example.  Or a system level EQ that you might have installed on your Mac.

Have you examined the front panel of the Marantz while each app is playing?  Generally speaking you will see various lights on the receiver that indicate what it is receiving and what kind of decoding is being done.  If, for example, your Marantz is engaging a surround sound mode with MC and *not* with the others, that would explain a sonic difference.  Or if the Marantz is engaging some kind of processing option with one or the other.

It would be really good if you could pull up the on screen display of the Marantz during playback.  I'm pretty confident that a Marantz with HDMI has an on screen display that should show surround modes, and input formats.

Thanks for reading.

Brian.
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Birchman

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #25 on: June 01, 2023, 04:46:33 pm »

Brian, thanks for all of the interesting questions.  My hearing is such that I seem to hear distortions that others either miss or just accept.  As to my setup all things remain constant.  The only thing that is changing is my choice of player app on the Mac.  So yes, the problem is a difference in players.  On my Marantz I can see very basic information and the display information does not change between players.  As no one else who frequents this board seems to be aware of the problem I will just have to content myself with a relatively inexpensive Mac specific player that I recently discovered.  The resident player on the Mac is also good but its interface for my type of musical use is cumbersome.  I will also continue to play with eq and volume work arounds for the MC.  I think it is time for me to get outside and get some fresh air.  Thanks.
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Birchman

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #26 on: June 02, 2023, 01:08:55 pm »

Something I would like to point out to the developers of JRiver is that this post has had over 2,500 views in just a few days.  What might be reasonable to infer here is that my concern and observations might not be entirely random.  Just as an additional aside I don't have any way to run graphics as can be found in Audacity for purposes of looking at dynamic range but suspect that if I had such that I could easily demonstrate that JRiver is compressing/or amplifying the top end to where it can be uncomfortable for some. I use the word compressing as discussed in audiophile circles to describe the amplification or stretching of wave lengths. I don't think the problem is in a Mac's conversion to different bit rates as I have never seen such a problem in files that I convert to different formats.  I do think that somehow JRiver is somehow compressing the data.  Maybe it is something just a simple as how JRiver's internal volume is set. I am not an audio engineer.  Also, I don't have the slightest idea of how these programs operate.  I only know what I am hearing and I expect more from a program that I have been supporting for awhile.  Signing off.  Thanks everyone. 
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JimH

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #27 on: June 02, 2023, 01:46:26 pm »

I don't know if you ever took a look at the Weird Problems link in my signature.  It would be worth spending a few minutes on it.  It might help you reconsider the conclusions you've made.  There are lots of ways things can go wrong.  All of those in the thread turned out to be unrelated to JRiver.  Drivers, etc.
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Birchman

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #28 on: June 02, 2023, 03:11:50 pm »

I am using a Mac straight out of the box with no modifications.
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JimH

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #29 on: June 02, 2023, 03:16:04 pm »

I also asked if you could try a different DAC.  That test might give us clues to finding an answer for you.
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JimH

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #30 on: June 02, 2023, 03:40:56 pm »

You could post a file on dropbox and see if anyone else can hear the problem you report.
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Awesome Donkey

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #31 on: June 02, 2023, 03:41:06 pm »

Unless all your media is 48 kHz to begin with, those two apps are resampling all audio to 48 kHz in the background because of the Mac HDMI 48 kHz sample rate limitation. The question is if the apps themselves are doing it with their own resampling feature(s) or if the macOS system mixer is doing it silently in the background. I'm going to bet it's the latter here, especially if one of the apps is Apple Music.

The difference is, Media Center handles all resampling itself with the SSRC resampler (which is the default) or the SoX resampler when you enable the feature. SoX should pretty much be one of the best resampling algorithms available, so it's kinda odd to hear even after using the SoX resampler it still sounds different. Generally, regardless of OS, Media Center won't allow the system mixer to do it, unless exclusive mode is disabled, then maybe playback goes through the system mixer. Bob would likely know for sure how it works on macOS and CoreAudio.
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BillT

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #32 on: June 03, 2023, 02:33:26 am »

Something I would like to point out to the developers of JRiver is that this post has had over 2,500 views in just a few days.  What might be reasonable to infer here is that my concern and observations might not be entirely random.

I wouldn't jump to that conclusion. Views don't mean that anyone else has the same issue.

I don't have a Mac, but am viewing the thread for the entertainment value!
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Birchman

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #33 on: June 03, 2023, 01:31:19 pm »

That was not a concrete conclusion but an observation that others might be having the same problem. 
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AGAWA

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #34 on: June 03, 2023, 02:51:19 pm »

"This problem seems to be similar to compression problems found when an audio engineer boosts the high or mid range in a remastering."
this is EQ not compression.

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Birchman

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #35 on: June 05, 2023, 04:36:33 pm »

I agree with AWGA's assessment.  This problem is not limited to one song but occurs across all songs played via JRiver.  I think someone is going to need to run something like a graphic analysis of an output from an HDMI port on a Mac with an M1 processor in order to compare to other apps which do not seem to be exhibiting this problem.  I wish that I had such capability but am not willing to spend time and money when all I want to do is listen to music.   I now have three other apps where I do not hear this occurring.
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JimH

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #36 on: June 05, 2023, 04:44:59 pm »

I don't think AGAWA was agreeing with you.  He was simply trying to correct your terminology.
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Birchman

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #37 on: June 05, 2023, 05:10:10 pm »

What is interesting is that I hear this problem with other players which try to service both Windows and Macs.  The players where I do not hear the problem are very Mac specific.  I am going to sign off now as this is taking too much of my time where I was hoping there might be a quick fix.  Thanks everyone.   
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Awesome Donkey

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #38 on: June 05, 2023, 05:14:52 pm »

I think someone is going to need to run something like a graphic analysis of an output from an HDMI port on a Mac with an M1 processor in order to compare to other apps which do not seem to be exhibiting this problem.

Ultimately, this is probably pointless. The 'problem' is very likely related to the M1/M2 48 kHz HDMI audio limitation and resampling being used to workaround it. Remember, the Apple Silicon-based M1 and M2 Macs are limited to 48 kHz over HDMI and you have to resample everything that isn't 48 kHz to 48 kHz in order to play it back. You can see this happening in the screenshot you posted above of the audio path during playback. Other apps like VLC, Apple Music, etc. the resampling process is very likely handled by the macOS system mixer itself silently (without ever informing you). Media Center on the other hand handles resampling itself with either SSRC which is the default, or the SoX resampler if the option is enabled. SoX should pretty much be the best resampling algorithm available but it seems it just doesn't agree with your ears (nor does SSRC for that matter). The most important bit here to focus on is that Media Center handles resampling itself, either through SSRC or SoX. I don't believe there's a way to allow the system mixer to do it instead, *maybe* using the default CoreAudio output with exclusive mode disabled? I doubt it, but I digress...

The *only* way to avoid the resampling completely is to use another connection that isn't HDMI whether it be USB, optical/coaxial, DLNA if the receiver supports it (and hopefully supports gapless playback), etc. This is a well-known limitation of the Apple Silicon-based Macs since the M1 was released several years ago, which Apple didn't address with the M2 Macs. Maybe M3? Or maybe they don't care at all about it. *shrugs*

What is interesting is that I hear this problem with other players which try to service both Windows and Macs.  The players where I do not hear the problem are very Mac specific.

On Windows are you using HDMI out from a device (e.g. GPU) that's limited to 48 kHz only? Because being able to install Windows via Boot Camp on M1 and M2 Macs doesn't exist so that can't really be tested unless you have a PC with the same 48 kHz HDMI audio limitation. All the HDMI outputs I've used on PCs (both with dedicated graphics and integrated graphics, even the Raspberry Pi) aren't limited to 48 kHz like the Apple Silicon Macs are over HDMI and thus no resampling needed. You can verify this in Media Center via the audio path, and it'll tell you if resampling is being used or not.
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Birchman

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #39 on: June 05, 2023, 05:43:41 pm »

I hear the problem with VLC also.  I agree that the other players that are Mac specific and sound correct are probably running through the Apple Player somehow.  I don't have a problem with that as the Apple Player sound is very good and those third party players correct the clunky interface of Apple Player.  Apple's lack of support for FLAC is a problem but not for me as WAV had been my primary file choice maybe ten years (though I would have gone FLAC if I had it to over).  I don't see any reason to change my amp just for this problem as it handles everything else I use at this time.  Maybe someday in the future when my Marantz amp needs replacing I will find a comparable amp has the correct USB/DAC capacity for but for the time being I just have to work with what I have.  Thanks.
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JimH

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #40 on: June 05, 2023, 06:21:20 pm »

What is the model # of the Marantz?  We could look at the input options.  It probably has RCA jacks so you could use an inexpensive USB DAC to feed it. :-\

Try searching for USB DAC at Amazon.
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Birchman

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #41 on: June 05, 2023, 06:52:08 pm »

I will research DAC options at a later date as there is too much else going on for me just now.  Not sure if that is the fix I need as it might interfere with things like video play, Dolby digital, etc. so would have to do a bunch of research.  Just a quick update: The Mac specific media players that sound correct process FLAC files which the Apple player does not process.  Once again, thanks.
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bob

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #42 on: June 09, 2023, 12:11:47 pm »

I've added a bunch of logging to the CoreAudio device open that would help show exactly what is happening.
Also, the next build (which I'll post today, 31.0.21) will show whether or not integer mode is being used in the audio path.

I did a little playing with this because it's actually pretty difficult to find a device which works in integer mode. None of the system devices on a M1 do.
Even if it says Integer in Audio Midi you can't open it as an app in Integer mode unless the device has the non-mixable attribute.
I'm pretty certain you need to use exclusive mode as well.

So I have 2 devices that work in integer mode. One is a Dragonfly USB Dac. It does 24 bit integer mode as well as the default float32 mode.
The other is a iFi iDSD Nano USB DAC which does 32 bit integer mode (no 24 bit integer mode) as well as the default float32 mode.

Testing the dragonfly I noticed a marked listening difference between the 32 bit float mode and the 24 bit integer mode that surprised me (and I wasn't expecting that).
The sound to me was clearer and brighter in Integer mode.

Anyway for everyone that's following this, hope it helps.
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AGAWA

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #43 on: June 09, 2023, 12:35:15 pm »

Bob,
I just switched from Apogee Duet for Mac and IOS; Duet. With Integer Mode set in MC Audio MIDI was showing Integer, 24 bit non-mixable.
Apogee Symphony Desktop shows 24 bit Integer - Unmixable.
Apple Music is not setting unmixable attribute. JRiver does - uses also exclusive mode.
Just curious.
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bob

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #44 on: June 09, 2023, 01:24:59 pm »

Bob,
I just switched from Apogee Duet for Mac and IOS; Duet. With Integer Mode set in MC Audio MIDI was showing Integer, 24 bit non-mixable.
Apogee Symphony Desktop shows 24 bit Integer - Unmixable.
Apple Music is not setting unmixable attribute. JRiver does - uses also exclusive mode.
Just curious.
Just to clarify, that is the case when my iFi is running in integer mode as far as the display in Audio-Midi is concerned (it switches to non-mixable during playback).

The system devices on some Macs (not the M1, but my Intel iMac for example) and also my monitor connected to the Mac M1 show that they can support integer mode in Audio-Midi however they are not settable to non-mixable mode as you can see by looking in the MC log for when the devices are queried for integer mode support upon open.
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AGAWA

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #45 on: June 09, 2023, 01:42:20 pm »

Just to clarify, that is the case when my iFi is running in integer mode as far as the display in Audio-Midi is concerned (it switches to non-mixable during playback).

The system devices on some Macs (not the M1, but my Intel iMac for example) and also my monitor connected to the Mac M1 show that they can support integer mode in Audio-Midi however they are not settable to non-mixable mode as you can see by looking in the MC log for when the devices are queried for integer mode support upon open.

Same here,
I can see in Audio MIDI change from 24 bit Integer to 24 bit Integer unmixable when MC is playing (during playback from MC) Nothing from Apple Music.

On another topic - I wonder if Mr Birchman ever looked onto Audio MIDI setup; under HDMI in output there is information about format, sample rates, etc.
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Birchman

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #46 on: June 12, 2023, 06:53:06 pm »

Nothing new here as far as I can see.  This is in keeping with the earlier above screenshot taken from inside of JRiver .
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bob

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #47 on: June 12, 2023, 09:01:05 pm »

Nothing new here as far as I can see.  This is in keeping with the earlier above screenshot taken from inside of JRiver .
Using the latest build, 31.0.21, you can see if Integer mode is successfully entered in the Audio Path.
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AGAWA

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #48 on: June 13, 2023, 01:41:12 am »

is HDMI the only sound connection? Do you use the headphones, and are they plugged in into your Mac? Please remove headphones plug.
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Birchman

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Re: Harsh Sounding High End Audio Playback
« Reply #49 on: June 13, 2023, 03:23:33 pm »

is HDMI the only sound connection? Do you use the headphones, and are they plugged in into your Mac? Please remove headphones plug.
Headphone jack is connected directly to Bose computer speakers and used a lot when I am not playing media through the amp. I did not catch that the screen print is for the headphone connection.  No difference when connected to Amp.  Running out of allowable uploads for this page.
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