MacBook: One USB-C Outlet Not Recognizing DAC, Bit-Depth Playback Issue

[Richard_Bailey3 (Richard Bailey)]

My MacBook has two available USB-C outputs (3rd is for the mouse). Roon recognizes the Schiit DAC in only one of these USB-C outputs, through which it plays music. The DAC is not recognized in the other output port.

[Richard_Bailey3 (Richard Bailey)]

Here’s another strange event on my system. With the DAC recognized by Roon, if I start the listening session by playing music with 16-bit depth it will not play. At all. Roon shows the music playing, but no sound. I have to start with 24-bit music to get sound. After that, I can switch to 16-bit and it will play. If this is a Roon phenomenon, I would like to hear from the experts, as well, please.

[connor]

Hi @Richard_Bailey3,

We’ve attempted a log pull from your Roon Server instance that should illuminate what’s happening with the bit-depth and playback.

In the meantime, please verify the following:

1. When attempting to connect via the affected USB-C port, is the Schitt appearing in your Mac’s Audio Midi Setup utility (Navigate to Applications → Utilities → Audio Midi Setup).

2. Connecting the Schitt to the working USB-C port, please share a screenshot of the a) signal path within Roon and b) Audio Midi Setup utility page for the Schitt USB device. We want to determine if there is a hard-rule for bit-depth anywhere, and we need to see your audio chain from Roon → endpoint.

3. Lastly, do you have any issues with non-audio devices on this USB-C port, like when connecting external storage, an iPhone, etc.?

We’ll be watching for your response. In the meantime, a step you can take that might mitigate symptoms is to refresh your RAATServer. Try the following, but make sure you’ve created a Backup to retain DSP customization and other Zone settings:

• Create a Backup of your current Roon database
• Exit out of Roon
• Navigate to your Roon’s Database Location
• Find the folder that says “RAATServer”
• Rename the “RAATServer” folder to “RAATServer_old”
• Restart the Roon App to generate a new RAATServer folder

[Richard_Bailey3 (Richard Bailey)]

1. Yes, it does appear.
   

   

2. I am unable to provide a full answer, as Roon doesn’t recognize the USB DAC in either port. The computer, however, does. The proof:
   

   
   
   
   

3. Obviously the USB-C ports are working. However, I can’t play music with Roon thru the DAC. What’s Next?

[Richard_Bailey3 (Richard Bailey)]

We, powered down and up, and Roon said No Audio Devices, then it let me “enable” the USB Unison Schiit. It is now playing music. Why?

Screen shot of the MIDI -

There is something weird going on with Roon. This shouldn’t be so difficult.
Let me know what other stuff y’all need to fix it.

[Richard_Bailey3 (Richard Bailey)]

At the final move, Roon had disabled all sound zones including the Mac speakers, core audio, and three Sonos zones. It saw the USB Unison, too, and let me enable it. What’s playing now. Roon, on its own, also re-enabled the Sonos zones. I didn’t do that. Here’s the Sound picture now.

[Richard_Bailey3 (Richard Bailey)]

Screen shot of MIDI while playing 16/44.1 music.

[Richard_Bailey3 (Richard Bailey)]

Today I was able to play music thru the “affected” USB-C output, by manually enabling the DAC plugged in there. It would not start 16/44.1 music. I had to start with 24/96, then it played and I switched back to 16/44.1. It is working but manually. Does Roon no longer automatically sense connected USB DACs and enable them? That seems to be the case, to me. Two screen shots are attached. I would like some comments from your side now.