Mac mini, USB and Denafrips DAC

I have a denafrips terminator. I can use this in my chain with a metrum Ambre endpoint, the latter connected to the terminator by optical.

I’m struggling to get audio out via USB from my Mac mini. The chain would be Mac mini… USB… Terminator… DAC

When I look at system preferences in the Mac mini, the only options is the Mac mini speakers and AVR receiver - there is no USB output. When I look at Roon audio devices, the only ones that can be enabled are ‘system output’, ‘displayport’ and ‘Mac mini speakers’. When I look at midi audio devices, there is ‘Mac mini speakers’ and DisplayPort and a webcam. Again no USB audio option.

The terminator does work when connected to the metrum Ambre but does not show in Roon.

Any ideas how to get it working with Mac mini usb?

Moved to support for you in case they can offer any suggestions and flagging @alvin1118 for some guidance.

Hi @Anjan_Chakraborty,

Have you made sure to select the USB input on the Terminator before attempting to output an audio stream to it? From the Terminator Manual:

NOTE: The USB Module is designed to switch on only when USB Input is selected. This is
specially designed to reduce inputs interference for best sound reproduction.

I would focus on getting the Terminator to show up via the Mac Mini’s system preferences first and only afterwards move to trying to enable it in Roon. Also, I saw two drivers for Windows, but no indication of OSX compatibility, I am not sure if this DAC is perhaps incompatible with OSX so I would double check this either with the manufacturer or see if anyone else is using this DAC on OSX.

– Noris

All fixed now. I had to install the Amanero USB soundcard driver in windows (via Bootcamp) after which it shows up as an output device in OS X.

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