Buffering

I have a McMini Pro M2. Using a PS Audio Direct Stream Mark 2.
Playing DSD 256 I watch the Buffering pause, then all of a sudden start again.
That behavior gives a skipping sound, or like a switch being turned off and on again quickly.
Does anyone know why the buffering would pause and start again?

Thank you.

Audirvana Studio 2.3.4 (20304)

macOS 13.4.1 with 16GB physical RAM

Connected account of : Jeffrey White

SIGNAL PROCESSING:

Polarity Inversion:
	Globally: OFF
	Per track: ON
Effects plugins ACTIVE in realtime mode with new macOS API
	AU plugin #0: Effect - Apple AUGraphicEQ ()
	AU plugin #1: None
	AU plugin #2: None
	AU plugin #3: None

UPSAMPLING:
r8brain not in use
r8brain filter parameters
Bandwidth = 99.5%
Stop band attenuation 218dB
Phase linear

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

LIBRARY SETTINGS:
Sync list: 1 folders
AUTO: /Users/jeffreywhite/Music/For Mac Mini/Audirvana Music
iTunes/Music library synchronization: not synchronized
Library database path: /Users/jeffreywhite/Library/Application Support/Audirvana/AudirvanaDatabase.sqlite

Local audio files fingerprinting
Tracks with no MBID: 838

Remote Control server:
Listening on 127.0.0.1 on port 49933

ACTIVE STREAMING SERVICES
Qobuz: Connected as Qobuz Studio

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

Active method: Local

Max. memory for audio buffers: 6812MB

Local Audio Engine: CoreAudio
Exclusive access: OFF
Integer mode: ON
Use max I/O buffer size: ON
Actual I/O buffer frame size: 512

Preferred device:
PS Audio Primary Play Interface
Model UID:PS Audio Extended Resolution USB:2616:0202
UID:AppleUSBAudioEngine:PS Audio:PS Audio Extended Resolution USB:Version 3.02 11/30/2022:1

Active Sample Rate: 192kHz
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:Primary Play Interface
Manufacturer: PS Audio
Model name: PS Audio Primary Play Interface
Model UID: PS Audio Extended Resolution USB:2616:0202
UID: AppleUSBAudioEngine:PS Audio:PS Audio Extended Resolution USB:Version 3.02 11/30/2022:1
USB Vendor ID: 0x2616
USB Product ID: 0x0202
ID 0x31

9 available sample rates up to 705600Hz
44100
48000
88200
96000
176400
192000
352800
384000
705600
Audio buffer frame size : 58 to 4096 frames
Current I/O buffer frame size : 512

Volume Control
Physical: Yes
Virtual: Yes
Max volume alert: Enabled

MQA capability
Auto-detect MQA devices: Yes
Not a MQA device, user set to not MQA
DSD capability: DSD via PCM 1.1

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
36 virtual formats:
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 705.6kHz
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 32 little endian Signed Integer 705.6kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 384kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 352.8kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 192kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 176.4kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 96kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 88.2kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 44.1kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 705.6kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 384kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 352.8kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 192kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 176.4kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 96kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 88.2kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 44.1kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 705.6kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 384kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 352.8kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 192kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 176.4kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 96kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 88.2kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 44.1kHz

54 physical formats
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 705.6kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 384kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 352.8kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 192kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 176.4kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 96kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 88.2kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 44.1kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 705.6kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 384kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 352.8kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 192kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 176.4kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 96kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 88.2kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 44.1kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 705.6kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 384kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 352.8kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 192kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 176.4kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 96kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 88.2kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 44.1kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 705.6kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 384kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 352.8kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 192kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 176.4kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 96kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 88.2kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 44.1kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 705.6kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 384kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 352.8kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 192kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 176.4kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 96kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 88.2kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 44.1kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 705.6kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 384kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 352.8kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 192kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 176.4kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 96kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 88.2kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 44.1kHz

Local devices found : 2
Device #0: ID 0x31 Primary Play Interface
Manufacturer: PS Audio
Model UID: PS Audio Extended Resolution USB:2616:0202
UID: AppleUSBAudioEngine:PS Audio:PS Audio Extended Resolution USB:Version 3.02 11/30/2022:1
USB Vendor ID: 0x2616
USB Product ID: 0x0202
Model name: PS Audio Primary Play Interface
Device #1: ID 0x4b Mac mini Speakers
Manufacturer: Apple Inc.
Model UID: Speaker
UID: BuiltInSpeakerDevice
Model name: Apple Inc. Mac mini Speakers

UPnP

UPnP devices found : 2
Device #0: ID 0x0 : OPPO BDP-103
UID: uuid:140479c0-58f3-1cef-84bf-6cfdb9d9019b
Location: http://192.168.1.77:2870/dmr.xml
Manufacturer: OPPO
Model name: OPPO BDP-103
Device #1: ID 0x0 : Denon AVR-X6200W
UID: uuid:5f9ec1b3-ff59-19bb-8530-0005cd681503
Location: http://192.168.1.188:8080/description.xml
Manufacturer: Denon
Model name: *AVR-X6200W

Chromecast

Chromecast devices found : 0

Welcome!

  • Are you running the Mac Mini headless?
  • Are you accessing you music locally via a USB attached storage device or using the integrated SDD of the Mac Mini for your local music library?
  • Are you serving files to the Mac via networked Ethernet or Wirelessly?

Enable “Exclusive access” (ON)

Try limiting the playback buffer to 6GB max and experiment with lower allocation to find the sweet-spot…

:notes: :eye: :headphones: :eye: :notes:

In addition to @Agoldnear comments, (and it is essential you turn exclusive access on) try turning of realtime mode for the Apple EQ plug in. I have an M2 Max MacBook Pro with 96 GB ram but it fails to play files correctly with the AppleEQ plug in in real time mode. Turning real time mode off solves my playback problems. The Apple plugins are not the best!

The plug-in architecture is bypassed when playing DSD… The most important consideration is the overhead of the DoP embedding/packetization processing of the 11.2MHz DSD signal for output …

Initially I was going to recommend removing the Apple EQ plug-in, but after re-reading the initial post, I removed this recommendation… Maybe there is something there, but it is doubtful… I totally agree that the Apple EQ does not play well with Audirvana from my personal experiences. :wink:

Missed the DSD 256 and just looked at the debug info. For @Jeffrey1 , when I playback DSD 128 files with my Mac having a buffer set at 6GB always results in tracks only partially buffering the track (longer classical pieces) but I don’t get the skips in sound but then I have exclusive access on. Maybe worth a try to increase your max memory allocation to a higher figure (no more than 10 GB…need to leave the remaining 6gb for your operating system).

My concern with a higher playback buffer allocation, is the potential for CPU disc-caching interrupts in the DoP calculations if there is not enough available system RAM for those accumulation buffers… We need more information on how he is accessing these files and the source of these DSD256 files being played… :sunglasses:

I thought I would be notified when there was responses.
Wow, thanks everyone first of all.
I ended up turning exclusive access back on, and turning off all plugins.
Also allocated 4,072 Memory. If I didn’t turn on the exclusive access I would get a burst of static out of no where. Now no more ticks, static.
The reason I had the Exclusive Access off was because of Qobuz was distorting after about 3 tracks, sometimes 2.
It seems turning off all that pertains to using Audio Units Effects. And turning off Real Time and Api switches first to be be sure. I haven’t been getting the distortion problems related to streaming also.
I have my DSD on the Mac mini drive so far.
Thanks again.

1 Like

I use an AU plug-in for HRTF when up-converting/modulating PCMxxx to DSD128 and it is always installed when I play native binaural DSDxxx files… the plug-in architecture is bypassed when playing native DSDxxx files.

Notification preferences are enabled in your account profile settings.

:notes: :eye: :headphones: :eye: :notes:

I am using a MacBook Pro screen sharing.
I set it up with hdmi to the tv and used a mini keyboard.
Then unplugged hdmi and don’t need keyboard, just networked screen.

This has helped Mac Mini users running their platforms headless, here on this forum…

A headless Mac Mini (M1 or otherwise) will realize better performance from enabling the video sub-system properly by employing an inexpensive HDMI video accelerator dongle like this:

NewerTech® : Video : HDMI Headless Video Accelerator

NewerTech HDMI Headless Video Accelerator. Take back the full power of your Headless Mac’s GPU.

Mac and PC computers can pack phenomenal power into a compact form factor, but when they’re operated without a display attached, the GPU isn’t activated — meaning it’s not pulling its weight. So when you access your Mac or PC remotely, the CPU does all the work in rendering the user interface. As a result, the interface lags; OS animation, cursor movement, menu navigation, and typing all suffer, making remote operations a pain.

Without reading much here on this, I rather ask you please. This then talks directly to the Macmini from the MacBook without a load on the network?
I do notice my screensaver is very jerky for lack of better words.
I have not done any research to see how anybody runs a Mac mini headless.

Thanks

Also I did look at my preferences, it looks like my notifications are on for my email, but I’m not receiving anything. I went back through and save changes just to see if that helps.
Thanks again.

Maybe it goes into your junk folder and you will need to say to it ‘not junk’

Have sent you a private message just for testing…

The HDMI adapter engages the GPU of the Mac Mini, so the CPU is not burdened with having to handle all the graphics processing that is normally handled by the GPU…

I YouTubed it, I definitely will purchase. I’m learning as I go. No one mentioned this, very cool.
I will now have to figure out a private message and how to send.
I did check my junk folder, unfortunately nothing.
Odd.

After going into preferences now, my notifications are going to my junk mail so I am moving them hoping that works.

I ordered, there is a price drop also, about 15 bucks with shipping.
Thank you guys.

1 Like

Would you explain please how to send a private message.
Can’t seem to find information on this.
It’s a good idea.

i have sent you a private message, you should see something flashing or something here…
just click anyone icon to see options… message

maybe this preference is not on for you…