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Troubleshooting External DAC / Mac PowerBook Setup

post #1 of 7
11/7/11 at 5:42pm
Thread Starter 

I'm an experienced audiophile, but new to computer audio.  

 

I'm trying to test to troubleshoot a problem that I hope has an easy solution.

 

Setup:

- Macbook Pro (mid-2010)

- Schiit Asguard

- Schiit Bifrost

- Audeze LCD-2 (v.2)

- Wireworld Supernova Toslink with adapter

- Signal Cable Silver Resolution RCAs (with Silver Eichman Bullets)

 

I've used my computer audio rig with headphones before upgrading to an external DAC.  Now, I'm not getting any sound and before sending the Bifrost back, I need to confirm that my Mac settings are completely correct.

 

- In System Preferences > Sound > Output I've selected: "Digital Out"

- In AudioMIDI Setup > Audio Devices > I've selected: "Digital Out" and Format: 44100.0 and 2ch-32bit (I've played around with both of these settings to no avail).  

 

The volume for M, 1, and 2 are grayed out and don't allow me to move them at all.  

 

When I select "configure speakers: I can click on "1" and "2" and the cable lights up.

 

Looks like I'm 95% of the way there and either:

- My settings are wrong

or

- the DAC has a Toslink issue

 

Can anyone here provide suggestions for troubleshooting?  I've done some online searching but can't see any indication of what to try next?  

 

Thanks in advance.  

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post #2 of 7
11/7/11 at 5:54pm

The Bifrost supports 24 bit. You can start by changing your settings to 24 bit rather than 32 bit. I'm not familiar with OSX settings unfortunately.

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post #3 of 7
11/7/11 at 6:02pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks.  Actually I have tried the settings @ 44100.0 and 2ch-24bit and that's where they are now.  Still no sound.

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post #4 of 7
11/7/11 at 10:11pm

I have the Bifrost working with both TOSLINK and USB on a Mac Pro. So I don't think the Bifrost is the problem. I'm not familiar with the cables/connectors that you are using. I'll pull out my old Macbook Pro, try the Bifrost with it. I will be using a mini toslink adapter (by Griffin) and will be going all optical to the Bifrost's TOSLINK in.  Back in a few . . .

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post #5 of 7
11/7/11 at 10:59pm

Ok. Back.

 

I'm running Snow Leopard (10.6 with latest patches) on the oldest of the MacBook Pros (the one's that can't run Lion - grrrr).

 

Digital Out selected in System Preferences (although SoundSource makes the process much easier).

 

MIDI Devices set to "Built-in Output" with the Output Source set to Digital Out, and the Format settings set to match tracks I'm playing via iTunes. And it seems to be working . . .  Oh!  I don't use the "Configure Speakers" button . . . I just let the music rip to test.

 

Also success when I use Pure Music with iTunes; and I don't have to mess with the MIDI settings as Pure Music will auto-change the MIDI settings to match the music track being played back for me.

 

Sounds very similar to what you are doing. I know you probably have this covered, but you are using a mini TOSLINK adapter plugged into the notebook's headphone out to light up that optical cable - right?


Edited by MtnSloth - 11/7/11 at 11:05pm
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post #6 of 7
11/8/11 at 12:33am
Thread Starter 

Yes, I'm using a mini TOSLINK adapter in the headphone out and the cable is lit.

 

I am using the Built-in Output for the Output Source also on Digital Out.  What's the best default format to use?  

 

I also tried with Audiarvana and I just bought BitPerfect.  No success yet on anything. Will try again tomorrow after a reboot when I'm back at work.

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post #7 of 7
11/8/11 at 8:02pm

I experimented using 44100 with 2ch-16bit (and 2ch-24bit) for testing CD lossless rips - same as you. Sorry. I'm out of ideas. frown.gif

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