Roon Server on Mac mini m1 - Audio devices disappear when monitor is going into sleep (ref#HEW9Y0)

[Gerald_Hammer]

What’s happening?

· Something else

How can we help?

· None of the above

Other options

· Other

Describe the issue

Roon Server on Mac mini m1 - Audio devices disappear when monitor is going into sleep

I would like to share an interesting observation in regards of „Audio devices disappearing“
I know, there are a lot of community posts around that topic, but mine is quite different and strange as well.

My configuration (since 2 days) is
System: Mac mini m1, 8GB RAM, 256 GB SSD - continuously switched on - no sleep
OS: Mac OS Sonoma, current update
(Current Release) Roon Server Application and configuration is stored on the internal disk
Music library on a QNAP Rack Mount Direct attached storage
Network: Ethernet, WiFi is switched off
The system is planned to be a headless configuration - but that doesn’t work - please go ahead and read the following description
I have migrated the system, coming from the former system (Mac mini 2014) to the above mentioned

After a short while all Remote clients notify of non existing Audio devices.
I invested time in understanding when this happens.

1. Having no monitor connected to the Mac mini - Headless configuration. 10 min after the Remote Desktop is disconnected, Audio Devices disappear. It appears that it has something to do with „(Virtual) Display going to sleep) . From the moment, I reconnect using Remote Desktop, the Audio Devices are back immediately
2. In the case a monitor is connected, Audio devices are lost, as soon as the monitor is going into sleep

Workaround:
Configuration works stable and reliable as long as a monitor is connected and display is not configured to go into sleep after a defined period of time. Screen saver can be configured without any impact on Audio device availability.

It sounds like voodoo :-) I know.
I am interested to know if anyone is experiencing the same issue and if there is a better solution than connecting a monitor which cannot go into sleep, which is really not brilliant in terms of energy saving.

Describe your network setup

Ethernet connection, WiFi switched off

[zonurben]

Hello Gerald
I am relatively new to this. I also use a headless M1 Mac with Sonoma. My audio devices have also suddenly disappeared. My power meter (power outlet) also showed that the Mac went into sleep mode. I then studied the sparse “energy settings” in the “system settings” and set the following: “No automatic activation of sleep mode when display is off” is activated.
Since then, everything has worked for me without interruption.

[Fernando_Pereira]

This detailed “how to” may help Roon Core on headless Mac mini M1 Tips & Tricks

[Gerald_Hammer]

Hi,

Shame on me.

I thought to have everything done to keep the Mac mini Always on.
Havent´t seen that the Mac went into sleep, cause Power Led is on when in Sleep mode.
Should have known this, cause I own a Mac Studio as well.

I forgot to mark this setting with a cross.

Many thx for your immediate response.