USB audio output to DAC not working in Sierra 10.12.1

[jstn]

Ok, very (very, very) annoying issue...

I have a McIntosh D100 DAC connected to my mid-2011 Mac Mini via USB. It shows up in Sound Preferences fine, it's unmuted and the volume is turned up, however I get NO audio output from the device since upgrading to Sierra. The DAC has a display which shows the bit depth of the input it's receiving, and it doesn't show anything, so I can confirm there's no signal from the Mac Mini. Everything eorked FINE prior to the upgrade. The internal speaker also works fine.

Anyone else having this issue? It's literally brought my entire audiophile music system to a halt.

Any help is appreciated!

Justin

 

[KevinJS]

My setup is similar to yours, except my DAC is Cambridge Audio DACMagic Plus. It works using USB. I was listening to it yesterday.

I also connect using optical digital from the dual purpose headphone/digital output.

Does your DAC have TOSLink input? If so, could be worth trying that hookup.

 

[KevinJS]

If your music is in iTunes, by the way, it could be worth a look to make sure the output to USB is turned on.

 

[jstn]

Thanks Kevin. I'm playing music via mpd. iTunes works fine on my internal speaker but is very choppy and static-y on my DAC, via USB.

I do have another optical input, which I'll test out tomorrow.

I'm also going to send McIntosh an email, to see if they have any insight into this problem.

Best,

Justin

 

[KevinJS]

Hope I've reassured you that it can work under Sierra.

We need to get you up and running ASAP.

Life without music is mere existence.

 

[Slydude]

Life without music is mere existence.

That's a great line. Wish I had thought of it.

 

[KevinJS]

That's a great line. Wish I had thought of it.

I live for those few hours a week when I can relax with my sound system. Makes the rest of the week worthwhile.

 

[jstn]

Thanks again Kevin. I'll test the optical output from my Mac Mini to my DAC.

I can't tell you how annoyed I was last night listening to music from my Mac Mini's internal speaker while staring at around $10k worth of audiophile-grade-equipment-paper-weights!

Justin

 

[KevinJS]

You don't need to tell me. I know. It would have turned me into a gibbering wreck.

Let me know how you get on with the optical cable, please. I still think we can get the USB side to work. One point, when I plug my DAC into USB, it knocks out the internal speakers and becomes the system default. Doesn't sound like it's doing that on yours, or are you unplugging the USB to hear the Mac speaker?

 

[jstn]

Just tested the optical out and it works perfectly. Sooo looks like I'm making the switch from USB to optical (again!). I can play my FLAC audio from Vox on my Mac Mini and via mpd from my phone.

But I'm still annoyed that the USB output isn't working... I'm not giving up on figuring that out!

Justin

 

[KevinJS]

Neither am I. It should work, damnit. When I'm home I'll do some digging and see if I can shed any light.

That's a sweet DAC by the way. Had a look at some pics.