Audirvana + Big Sur + Tidal impossible to listen to

Not sure if this combination works for others, but it certainly does not work for me. I have the latest Audirvana version installed. The sound via DAC is completely scratchy as if the headphone is broken. Listening through Tidal also via same DAC directly is absolutely fine. Also the SysOpt does not seem to be functional. No sure how that all ties together, but it is impossible to listen to.

Thanks!

Hello @filter1234,

Can you send me a copy of the “Debug Info”? You can get it in Audirvana Settings>General>Debug Info

Note: By clicking on the Debug Info button, Audirvana automatically copies all its content, all you have to do is paste it in response to this message

here you go & thanks for the quick response:

Audirvana Mac Version 3.5.42 (3572)
macOS 10.16.0 with 8192MB RAM

SIGNAL PROCESSING:

Polarity Inversion:
	Globally: OFF
	Per track: ON
Effects plugins NOT ACTIVE

UPSAMPLING:
iZotope SRC not in use iZotope SRC filter parameters
Steepness = 22
Filter max length = 500556
Cut-Off (x Nyquist) = 94%
Anti-aliasing = 99.9279
Phase = 83%

AUDIO VOLUME:
Max allowed volume: 100
Replay Gain: None
SW volume control: OFF

LIBRARY SETTINGS:
Sync list: 3 folders
AUTO: /Users/schrotti/Music/Rammstein
AUTO: /Users/schrotti/Music/Rammstein (2001) Mutter
AUTO: /Users/schrotti/Music/Rammstein (2004) Reise, Reise
iTunes/Music library synchronization: not synchronized
Library database path: /Users/schrotti/Library/Application Support/Audirvana/AudirvanaPlusDatabaseV2.sqlite

ACTIVE STREAMING SERVICES
Qobuz: Connected as
TIDAL: Connected as HIFI

=================== AUDIO DEVICE ========================

CoreAudio audio path, buffer I/O frame size: 512

Max. memory for audio buffers: 7168MB

Local Audio Engine:
Exclusive access: Enabled
Integer mode: Enabled

Preferred device:
Project RS USB 2.0 Audio Out
Model UID:Project RS USB Audio 2.0:2772:0221
UID:AppleUSBAudioEngine:Project RS :Project RS USB Audio 2.0:0000:1

Active Sample Rate: 44.1kHz
Hog Mode is off

Bridge settings:
Sample rate limitation: none
Sample rate switching latency: none
Limit bitdepth to 24bit: OFF
Mute during sample rate change: OFF

Selected device:
Local audio device
ID 0x31 Ausgang (integriert) Manufacturer:Apple Inc.
Model UID:AppleHDA:51 UID:AppleHDAEngineOutput:1F,3,0,1,1:0

3 available sample rates up to 96000Hz
44100
48000
96000
Audio buffer frame size : 14 to 4096 frames
Current I/O buffer frame size : 512
Volume Control
Physical: No
Virtual: Yes
MQA capability
Auto-detect MQA devices: No
Not a MQA device, user set to not MQA
DSD capability: DSD via PCM 1.0
Device audio channels
Preferred stereo channels L:1 R:2
Channel bitmap: Ox3, layout:
Channel 0 mapped to 0
Channel 1 mapped to 1

Audio channels in use
Number of channels: 2
Use as stereo device only: No
Simple stereo device: Yes

1 output streams:
Number of active channels: 2, in 1 stream(s)
Channel #0 :Stream 0 channel 0
Channel #1 :Stream 0 channel 1

Stream ID 0x32 2 channels starting at 1
3 virtual formats:
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 96kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 48kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 44.1kHz

3 physical formats
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 96kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 44.1kHz

Local devices found : 1
Device #0: ID 0x31 Ausgang (integriert) Manufacturer: Apple Inc. Model UID: AppleHDA:51 UID: AppleHDAEngineOutput:1F,3,0,1,1:0

UPnP devices found : 0

not sure if it makes a difference but his debug info is done with the dac turned on:

Audirvana Mac Version 3.5.42 (3572)
macOS 10.16.0 with 8192MB RAM

Registriert nach holger schrooten

SIGNAL PROCESSING:

Polarity Inversion:
	Globally: OFF
	Per track: ON
Effects plugins NOT ACTIVE

UPSAMPLING:
iZotope SRC not in use iZotope SRC filter parameters
Steepness = 22
Filter max length = 500556
Cut-Off (x Nyquist) = 94%
Anti-aliasing = 99.9279
Phase = 83%

AUDIO VOLUME:
Max allowed volume: 100
Replay Gain: None
SW volume control: OFF

LIBRARY SETTINGS:
Sync list: 3 folders
AUTO: /Users/schrotti/Music/Rammstein
AUTO: /Users/schrotti/Music/Rammstein (2001) Mutter
AUTO: /Users/schrotti/Music/Rammstein (2004) Reise, Reise
iTunes/Music library synchronization: not synchronized
Library database path: /Users/schrotti/Library/Application Support/Audirvana/AudirvanaPlusDatabaseV2.sqlite

ACTIVE STREAMING SERVICES
Qobuz: Connected as
TIDAL: Connected as HIFI

=================== AUDIO DEVICE ========================

CoreAudio audio path, buffer I/O frame size: 512

Max. memory for audio buffers: 7168MB

Local Audio Engine:
Exclusive access: Enabled
Integer mode: Enabled

Preferred device:
Project RS USB 2.0 Audio Out
Model UID:Project RS USB Audio 2.0:2772:0221
UID:AppleUSBAudioEngine:Project RS :Project RS USB Audio 2.0:0000:1

Active Sample Rate: 44.1kHz
Hog Mode is off

Bridge settings:
Sample rate limitation: none
Sample rate switching latency: none
Limit bitdepth to 24bit: OFF
Mute during sample rate change: OFF

Selected device:
Local audio device
ID 0x3b Project RS USB 2.0 Audio Out Manufacturer:Project RS
Model UID:Project RS USB Audio 2.0:2772:0221 UID:AppleUSBAudioEngine:Project RS :Project RS USB Audio 2.0:0000:1

8 available sample rates up to 384000Hz
44100
48000
88200
96000
176400
192000
352800
384000
Audio buffer frame size : 14 to 4096 frames
Current I/O buffer frame size : 512
Volume Control
Physical: Yes
Virtual: Yes
MQA capability
Auto-detect MQA devices: No
Not a MQA device, user set to not MQA
DSD capability: DSD via PCM 1.0
Device audio channels
Preferred stereo channels L:1 R:2
Channel bitmap: Ox3, layout:
Channel 0 mapped to 0
Channel 1 mapped to 1

Audio channels in use
Number of channels: 2
Use as stereo device only: No
Simple stereo device: Yes

1 output streams:
Number of active channels: 2, in 1 stream(s)
Channel #0 :Stream 0 channel 0
Channel #1 :Stream 0 channel 1

Stream ID 0x3c 2 channels starting at 1
16 virtual formats:
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 384kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 352.8kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 192kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 176.4kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 96kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 88.2kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 48kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 44.1kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 384kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 352.8kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 192kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 176.4kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 96kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 88.2kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 44.1kHz

16 physical formats
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 384kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 352.8kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 192kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 176.4kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 96kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 88.2kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 44.1kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 384kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 352.8kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 192kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 176.4kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 96kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 88.2kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 44.1kHz

Local devices found : 2
Device #0: ID 0x31 Ausgang (integriert) Manufacturer: Apple Inc. Model UID: AppleHDA:51 UID: AppleHDAEngineOutput:1F,3,0,1,1:0
Device #1: ID 0x3b Project RS USB 2.0 Audio Out Manufacturer: Project RS Model UID: Project RS USB Audio 2.0:2772:0221 UID: AppleUSBAudioEngine:Project RS :Project RS USB Audio 2.0:0000:1

UPnP devices found : 0

Disable upsampling and try again.

upsampling is already deactivated

If you try to play files that are in your library, do you have the same issue?

yes. same distorted sound.

And it also is the same for MQA files via Tidal

I have Big Sur installed on a MacMini 2018 and it plays perfectly fine - with and without upsampling. SysOpt was enabled automatically when I installed BS and relaunched Audirvana. I see no change in audio quality.

I have Big Sur installed on both my systems with different DAC’s,(Audioresearch and MSB) and Audirvana and Tidal work flawlessly.I have not needed to change any settings etc after the upgrade.Just thought I’d share my experience.

I just did a new installation of both big sur and Audirvana but no change. But turning off the “integer mode” did the trick. @Antoine Could you please check? At least I can listen to my music again…but it is certainly more enjoyable with integer mode on.

Hello ,
I am trying to play MQA files from tidal up to 192k but I can’t.
It limits me on 96k. When I play 176 , it limits me at 88k.

Big Sur , iMac 2019 , Denon x1600h. Tried HDMI and airplay. Same outcome.

Hello @alexakos89,

Does your Denon x1600h is MQA compatbile?

Hello @Antoine ,
No its not as I am aware of.
I have the selection use as not MQA.
If I select MQA Decoder it limits me at 48k

Audirvana 3.5 integrates the MQA Core Decoder that performs the first unfolding (up to 88.2 or 96kHz) to benefit from the high resolution of the MQA audio files even without an MQA audio device. By MQA decision, the second unfolding (to 176.4 or 192kHz) can be performed only in a MQA renderer/decoder DAC.

1 Like

Thank you @Antoine for the information.
So everything works fine.
Thanks for your time and your fast response.
Keep it up!

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