DSD files getting downsampled to 96Hz …

Roon Software Discussion
1

I have just setup a 2023 Mac Mini (Apple M2 chip with 8‑core CPU and 10‑core GPU, 8GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD) as a Roon player that is connected to my Roon Nucleus. I am taking a USB output from the MAC mini to my GUSTARD U18 DDC, which then connects to my Musical Fidelity M1 DAC. I am unfortunately getting only a PCM 96kHz signal into my GUSTARD U18, which means all my DSD files are getting downsampled.

Is there anyway to get DSD output from the MAC mini to the GUSTARD DDC? I tried connecting HDMI out from the MAC mini to the IIC port on the GUSTARD U18, but that didn’t work (no sound).

Any suggestions on what I can do please? Thanks a bunch …

2

To get a clearer picture of what is happening, if would be helpful if you could post a screenshot of your signal path.

3

Here you go …

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4

Probably similar to this:

5

Thanks. Got it. Makes sense. I made that change, and tried to route the output through the core …

The display on the GUSTARD U18 had changed to PCM 705.6kHz, but I can’t hear any sound through the speakers. Attaching the screen shots again

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6

In both you are routing through the OS MIXER, try using Core Audio.

7

I went to the Audio MIDI setup on my MAC mini, and changed the format to 2ch 32-bit Integer 96kHz and the sound state playing through the core (at 96kHz :frowning: So, basically even with the output through the core, the sound doesn’t play through the GISTARD U18, at any fidelity higher than 32 bit 96kHz …

8

Hmmmm. That makes sense. Tried doing that, but not able to. Tried adjusting the sound setting, and also adjusting the Audio MIDI setup.

I have chosen GUSTARD USB Audio 2.0 in sound settings. In the Audio MIDI setup for GUSTARD USB Audio 2.0, if I choose anything higher than 96kHz, I don’t hear any sound. The most that I can go to is 32 bit 96kHz. I am assuming that because I am going through the MAC sound system, and not able to bypass it …

Attaching screen shots, in case that explains

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9

Did you go to the Roon Settings > Audio and enabled CoreAudio there? After this you can choose it as the output zone to play to

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Yep. That’s what I have chosen in the Roon settings …

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11

And chosen in Roon’s zone menu? Because here it seems that you hadn’t

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12

Yep. I think I have chosen the max fidelity in the zone setting as well, Attached is the screenshot …

Clearly I am missing something. Super frustrating. Thanks a lot for your patience and support

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13

You won’t get DSD512 via a Mac whatever you do as that requires 1024/24 pcm as Mac’s only DoP.

14

I am not even getting a FLAC 192 at this point :slight_smile:

I am maxing out at PCM 96kHz.

15

Isn’t this the max resolution of how the Musical Fidelity M1 is connected?

It might be that your audiopohics is perfectly capable of much higher resolutions than the connected musical fidelity DAC

16

Because that’s the max of your DAC, you get 192/24 if using AES, everything else is capped at 96/24.How do you expect to go higher than its designed specification? No DDC is going to change the DACs abilities. It doesnt even support DSD at all in any shape or form.

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