Files refuse to play after format switch or pause

Support
#1

I have been experiencing some strange issues with my Roon player connected to several different DACs over USB. Sometimes when during playback the file format changes (e.g. playing a regular CD-file after a DSD-file), or when I’ve paused playback and then try to resume, Roon refuses to load the new file. In the playback bar, the file is indicated, but the counter stays at 0:00, and after a few moments, Roon moves on to the next file, and then the next, without ever really starting playback. The only solution is to restart Roon.

I have Roon running on a Mac Mini using the latest version of OS X (10.12.5). I’ve experienced the issue using multiple DACs, e.g. an MSB Signature, or an MBL Corona CD/DAC, all connected to the same Mac Mini using the same AudioQuest USB cable. The issue does not seem to occur when playing over a Meridian 818, but the difference is there of course that the ID41 is a network DAC, not connected to the Mac Mini using USB.

Any help in finding out how to solve this would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!

#2

You may want to play with the Resync Delay settings for your DACs, giving them a bit more time to catch on:

Roon Settings > Audio > Device Setup (small cog wheel next to your device) > General (first tab) > Resync Delay.

1 Like
#3

Thank you very much, I will definitely try that. I’ll post back with results.

#4

I’m afraid that didn’t do the trick, :-(. I set the resync delay to maximum, but the music still sometimes refuses to come back up.

#5

Is there somebody else who has experienced this? It keeps giving me issues, quite annoying…

I have noticed that when switching from DSD to PCM, the format analyser shows that it is still trying to play the file using DoP, instead of switching to regular PCM. So that’s at least part of the issue…

#6

Hi @Daan_Vreeswijk ---- Thank you for the report and the continued feedback, both are very appreciated. My sincere apologies for the wait.

Moving forward, I discussed this thread to with our techs to try to come up with the “next steps” in addressing this behavior and as per our conversation may I very kindly ask you to please provide the following:

  1. While this may seem elementary, have you tried swapping in another USB cable during your troubleshooting OR perhaps trying another USB port on the MacMini?

  2. Would you mind looking over /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins and letting me know what you’re seeing there? Screenshots of the content in the folders would be very appreciated!

-Eric

#7

Hi Eric,

Now it’s my time to apologize for the wait. My NAS broke down, and replacement took a while. While I was at it, I made some changes to my setup, with Roon Core running on a QNAP NAS, and the Mac Mini running RoonBridge. This morning I had a bit more time to test, and exactly the same problem occurred again: I was playing a DSD-file last night, no problem. Put the system on pause, started playback of a PCM file this morning, again no sound.

I have swapped USB cables and ports, but to no avail.

I have enclosed a screenshot of the requested folder. Only the subfolder selected had any content, all others were empty.

Screen Shot 2017-09-16 at 10.33.27.jpg1440×816 182 KB

Hope this helps, if you need any more info, please let me know.

#8

Hi @Daan_Vreeswijk ---- No worries :wink: I appreciate the follow up/update!

Moving forward, I would like to propose a few tests to see if we can localize the issue a bit. Please see below.

  • Would you be willing to try moving the “HAL” folder out of your “audio plugins” (temporarily) to see if this triggers a change in behavior?

  • If you haven’t already, can you try hosting RoonBridge on another device besides to confirm if you get the same results while using a USB mounted DAC?

Looking forward to your feedback!
-Eric

#9

I did the first step: removing the HAL folder did not have any effect. I tested with putting a track on pause and restarting playback some hours later (so not even a format change).

Regarding the other device, I’ll try to test this as quickly as possible.

Many thanks.