My Mac Core is connected by ethernet directly to Orbi Router (which is connected by ethernet to Verizon Router).
Hi All.
In my ongoing quest to eliminate periodic (few times/day) dropouts while listening to MQA tracks from Tidal, is there any potential benefit in using one of the Thunderbolt (USB-C) ports instead of the USB-A in connecting my Mac Mini Core to the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M?
I don’t want to buy a USB-C to USB-B cable if it’s unlikely to improve things. … But I’m getting desperate. I could eliminate all dropouts by changing the Tidal settings to HiFi, but then I’ll feel like I wasted $500 on the 200M.
USB speed should not be your problem, that’s enough with all versions. Maybe start narrowing it down by changing to another computer if at hand? Maybe the cable is faulty? Got another? Simple quality is sufficient.
This is a long shot but since you describe the dropouts as occurring just a few times per day, I wonder if some periodic operation on the Mac is causing the issue. One possible culprit is Time Machine. Do you happen to have Time Machine enabled on the machine?
As @BeeKay wrote, this doesn’t sound like a cable problem. That’s not where I’d start.
I’m sure you’ve tried configuring the device in exclusive mode. If you haven’t, that’s worth trying.
Not sure how do that. …The MQA settings are in the setup for the DacMagic, not my core.
As for Time Machine, it’s not active. …In fact, this Mac Mini is used ONLY as my music server… I have about 500GB of music loaded onto it and the rest of my listening comes from Tidal. …In fact, if one of my lossless CD rips (all through iTunes, over the years) is avail. as MQA, I want to be able to hear the MQA version. …But these occasional dropouts are really aggravating. …I have a brand new Mac Mini, a brand new DacMagic, and I went to the trouble/ expense of wiring an ethernet cable through the house to my Core, and I still have these dropouts. …Ugh.
But I do appreciate peoples’ interest in helping me.
Sorry to hear this. The issue you’re hitting would drive me nuts.
I have a Mac Studio which is connected via USB-C → USB-C to the primary in a pair of KEF LSX IIs. When I’m not using Roon to drive them, they are the default output device on the Mac. When I do use Roon, I set it to exclusive mode because I prefer how volume control works in that mode. In both cases, I don’t experience audio dropouts.
I hate to say this but if you’re in the US and you bought your Mini directly from Apple, you might still be in the extended holiday return window which closes tomorrow, Jan 8. I have no idea about equivalent policies outside of the US. If this applies to you, it’s something to think about since the clock is ticking.
Thanks, I should have been more clear. What I don’t understand is “setting Roon MQA to decoder only” From what I see, only my DAC has these settings. …And I’ve all of those MQA settings and there doesn’t seem to be a difference.
Right click (long press) on the zone icon (bottom right of screen)
This will display a pop up window
Then select Device setup
Then select Advanced Settings (you may have to scroll down a little to see this)
From there, you will see “Enable MQA core decoder” set this to “Yes”.
UPDATE:
I just read comments about these image … for clarity I should have said these screenshots where taken with Roon Core running on my laptop, no DAC connected just using the internal speakers as it was what I had to hand at that time, in order to aid the OP pictorially where these MQA related setting are located within Roon. It is not representative of my main system or how to or how to optimally setup a system.
I wasn’t clear either.
The internet can be tricky.
I’m not even sure my suggestion will help but it did resolve an issue with a different DAC.
I have an option for MQA capabilities that I didn’t see in your example.
However I see your Audio Device as Realtek rather than your DAC. This seems suspect.
My PC has Reatek audio too but when my DAC is connected via USB I see the DAC not Realtek.
I wonder if you need to change something in audio settings?
Note. I’m on a phone and can’t see the original posts when I reply.
I might be editing this post for clarity/errors.
Also. I think you’re on a Mac? I have to check your post again. I have a Mac too but I’m currently using a Windows PC as my core.
I didn’t see Realtek when I had my Mac as
My Core.
Before changing settings, I grabbed the cable from my printer to see if maybe it’s a cable issue. …Well, no dropouts all day. …If I hear any I will then go about changing settings. I figure it’s best to change just one thing at a time. Both of these cables are just freebie jobs that were included with our two printers. We’ll see.
