Error initializing sound device via Aggregate Device

Chriswsc1988 · July 24, 2022, 4:38pm

Hi all,

Background:
I am using 16" M1 Max MacBook Pro & found that HDMI output has been limited to only 48kHz.

There is connection that between My Macbook & Yamaha RX-A4A via HDMI interface.
Although connection works but the audio sample rate limited as 48kHz only.

Ref - " How can I pass hi-res audio through my HDMI port" :
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253761698?answerId=257056571022#257056571022

From above workaround I downloaded & install BlackHole software for creating an aggregate audio device. After that I opened my MAC’s AUDIRVANA Studio 1.13.3 and there is error message when playing music file:

Error initializing sound device
The sound device is already hogged by another application((null), pid = 0)

Unable to start playing

I have reset the Audio MIDI setup as well as restarted AUDIRVANA Studio many times & the issue still exists. Music file fail to play via this output interface. Other applications such as Spotify app / Youtube video via browser work normal via this aggregate audio device with 96KHz.

I checked pid = 0 is kernel_task and cannot be forced closed & I would like to know how to solve above error message so the AUDIRVANA Studio can play music file via this aggregate audio device interface which it supports 96kHz or more on audio sample rate?

Thanks all for the help.

Debug Information as below for support team’s refernce:

Audirvana Studio 1.13.3 (11303)

macOS Version 12.5 (Build 21G72) with 32GB physical RAM

Connected account of : Chris Wong

SIGNAL PROCESSING:

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

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: ON

LIBRARY SETTINGS:
Sync list: 2 folders
AUTO: /Users/Chris Wong SC/Music/Hi-Res
AUTO: /Users/Chris Wong SC/Music/Music
iTunes/Music library synchronization: not synchronized
Library database path: /Users/Chris Wong SC/Library/Application Support/Audirvana/AudirvanaDatabase.sqlite

Remote Control server:
Listening on 127.0.0.1 on port 49403

ACTIVE STREAMING SERVICES

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

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

Max. memory for audio buffers: 31744MB
Exclusive access: Enabled
Integer mode: Enabled

Preferred device:
APPLE INC. AGGREGATE DEVICE
Model UID:~:AMS2_Aggregate:0
UID:~:AMS2_Aggregate:0

Active Sample Rate: 96kHz
Hog Mode is off

Bridge settings:
Sample rate limitation: 192kHz
Sample rate switching latency: none
Limit bitdepth to 24bit: ON
Mute during sample rate change: ON

Selected device:
Local audio device
ID 0x3f Aggregate Device
Manufacturer: Apple Inc.
Model Name: Apple Inc. Aggregate Device
Model UID: ~:AMS2_Aggregate:0
UID: ~:AMS2_Aggregate:0

12 available sample rates up to 768000Hz
8000
16000
44100
48000
88200
96000
176400
192000
352800
384000
705600
768000
Audio buffer frame size : 29 to 4096 frames
Current I/O buffer frame size : 512
Volume Control
Physical: No
Virtual: No
MQA capability
Auto-detect MQA devices: Yes
Not a MQA device, user set to not MQA
DSD capability: Unhandled
Device audio channels
Multichannel: 28 channels
Preferred stereo channels L:1 R:2
Channel bitmap: Ox3f, layout:
Channel 0 mapped to 0
Channel 1 mapped to 1
Channel 2 mapped to 3
Channel 3 mapped to 2
Channel 4 mapped to 4
Channel 5 mapped to 5
Channel 6 unused
Channel 7 unused
Channel 8 unused
Channel 9 unused
Channel 10 unused
Channel 11 unused
Channel 12 unused
Channel 13 unused
Channel 14 unused
Channel 15 unused
Channel 16 unused
Channel 17 unused
Channel 18 unused
Channel 19 unused
Channel 20 unused
Channel 21 unused
Channel 22 unused
Channel 23 unused
Channel 24 unused
Channel 25 unused
Channel 26 unused
Channel 27 unused

Audio channels in use
Number of channels: 28
Use as stereo device only: No
Simple stereo device: No

4 output streams:
Number of active channels: 28, in 4 stream(s)
Channel #0 :Stream 0 channel 0
Channel #1 :Stream 0 channel 1
Channel #2 :Stream 0 channel 2
Channel #3 :Stream 0 channel 3
Channel #4 :Stream 0 channel 4
Channel #5 :Stream 0 channel 5
Channel #6 :Stream 0 channel 6
Channel #7 :Stream 0 channel 7
Channel #8 :Stream 1 channel 0
Channel #9 :Stream 1 channel 1
Channel #10 :Stream 1 channel 2
Channel #11 :Stream 1 channel 3
Channel #12 :Stream 1 channel 4
Channel #13 :Stream 1 channel 5
Channel #14 :Stream 1 channel 6
Channel #15 :Stream 1 channel 7
Channel #16 :Stream 1 channel 8
Channel #17 :Stream 1 channel 9
Channel #18 :Stream 1 channel 10
Channel #19 :Stream 1 channel 11
Channel #20 :Stream 1 channel 12
Channel #21 :Stream 1 channel 13
Channel #22 :Stream 1 channel 14
Channel #23 :Stream 1 channel 15
Channel #24 :Stream 2 channel 0
Channel #25 :Stream 2 channel 1
Channel #26 :Stream 3 channel 0
Channel #27 :Stream 3 channel 1

Stream ID 0x40 8 channels starting at 1
7 virtual formats:
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 48kHz
3 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 48kHz
4 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 48kHz
5 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 48kHz
6 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 48kHz
7 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 48kHz
8 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 48kHz

21 physical formats
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
3 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
4 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
5 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
6 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
7 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
8 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 20 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
3 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 20 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
4 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 20 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
5 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 20 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
6 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 20 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
7 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 20 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
8 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 20 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
3 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
4 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
5 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
6 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
7 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
8 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz

Stream ID 0x41 16 channels starting at 9
12 virtual formats:
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 768kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 705.6kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 384kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 352.8kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 192kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 176.4kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 96kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 88.2kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 48kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 44.1kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 16kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 8kHz

12 physical formats
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 768kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 705.6kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 384kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 352.8kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 192kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 176.4kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 96kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 88.2kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 48kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 44.1kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 16kHz
16 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 8kHz

Stream ID 0x42 2 channels starting at 25
12 virtual formats:
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 768kHz
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 Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 16kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 8kHz

12 physical formats
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 768kHz
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 Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 16kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 8kHz

Stream ID 0x43 2 channels starting at 27
4 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 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

4 physical formats
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

Local devices found : 5
Device #0: ID 0x30 Panasonic-TV Manufacturer: MEI Model UID: 34A996A2-0000-0000-001C-010380804878 UID: 34A996A2-0000-0000-001C-010380804878 Model Name: MEI Panasonic-TV
Device #1: ID 0x4a BlackHole 16ch Manufacturer: Existential Audio Inc. Model UID: BlackHole16ch_ModelUID UID: BlackHole16ch_UID Model Name: Existential Audio Inc. BlackHole 16ch
Device #2: ID 0x5a BlackHole 2ch Manufacturer: Existential Audio Inc. Model UID: BlackHole2ch_ModelUID UID: BlackHole2ch_UID Model Name: Existential Audio Inc. BlackHole 2ch
Device #3: ID 0x6a MacBook Pro Speakers Manufacturer: Apple Inc. Model UID: Speaker UID: BuiltInSpeakerDevice Model Name: Apple Inc. MacBook Pro Speakers
Device #4: ID 0x3f Aggregate Device Manufacturer: Apple Inc. Model UID: ~:AMS2_Aggregate:0 UID: ~:AMS2_Aggregate:0 Model Name: Apple Inc. Aggregate Device

UPnP devices found : 2
Device #0: ID 0x0 49FX800_Series UID: uuid:4D454930-0100-1000-8001-80C75524F500 Location: http://[omitted]/dmr/ddd.xml
Device #1: ID 0x0 Yamaha RX-A4A UID: uuid:9ab0c000-f668-11de-9976-8c19b5b657c4 Location: http://[omitted]/MediaRenderer/desc.xml

Agoldnear · July 24, 2022, 7:37pm

…

Could be a HDCP (High-bandwidth Content Protection) issue… HDMI has very strict content protection protocols… you may be exceeding the number of HDMI devices allowed… You are showing 5 local devices in the Aggregate Device and 2 UPnP devices… Check your HDCP settings of the RX-A4A… DRM (Digital Rights Management) functions will come into play, when digital-audio devices are connected in serial, on a digital-audio bus…

The RX-A4A supports PCM to 384kHz and up to DSD256 via HDMI… What happens when you connect your MBP directly via HDMI to the Yamaha receiver (no Aggregate Device, no Network connection)?

Chriswsc1988 · July 25, 2022, 3:17pm

Hi Agoldnear,

Thanks for your reply. I tried some scenarios:

When connecting my MBP directly via HDMI to the Yamaha receiver (no Aggregate Device, no Network connection) , Audirvana Studio 's Audio Tab shows output device as below "

Screenshot 2022-07-25 at 22.53.111920×1241 96.3 KB

"

Remarks: Although the music file is 24bit/96KHz, the output limited as 48kHz as MAC OS HDMI audio sample rate limitation. The output device name as “YMH RX-A4A” when TV power-off ; name as “Panasonic-TV” when TV power-on & connected to A4A HDMI ouput port 1 . Also need to limited set max. sample rate to 96kHz otherwise strange/ cringe sound output. This case the music file plays normally in 24bits/48kHz 7.1ch

Checked A4A HDCP setting, it is auto setting or back to 1.4 per port ; I believe not related since other APPs such as Spotify, Netflix/Youtube on browsers work normal
I deleted & re-created Aggregate Device with only Blackhole 16ch , A4A/Panasonic-TV & default MAC speakers only , problem still exist & error message appears when playing file

Screenshot 2022-07-25 at 23.05.041920×1205 93 KB

UPnP seems no related as well ; I also turn off Panasonic-TV to disable one of these interfaces.
Other Apps, browser playing Youtube/Netflix, Spotify apps work normally via this Aggregate Device Interface expect Audirvana Studio.

Select Virtual interface BlackHole 16ch, file can be played but no sound, not only Audirvana but also other apps.

Finally below is my debug information:

Audirvana Studio 1.13.3 (11303)

macOS Version 12.5 (Build 21G72) with 32GB physical RAM

Connected account of : Chris Wong

SIGNAL PROCESSING:

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

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: ON

LIBRARY SETTINGS:
Sync list: 2 folders
AUTO: /Users/Chris Wong SC/Music/Hi-Res
AUTO: /Users/Chris Wong SC/Music/Music
iTunes/Music library synchronization: not synchronized
Library database path: /Users/Chris Wong SC/Library/Application Support/Audirvana/AudirvanaDatabase.sqlite

Remote Control server:
Listening on 127.0.0.1 on port 55537

ACTIVE STREAMING SERVICES

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

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

Max. memory for audio buffers: 31744MB
Exclusive access: Enabled
Integer mode: Enabled

Preferred device:
APPLE INC. MULTI-OUTPUT DEVICE
Model UID:~:AMS2_StackedOutput:0
UID:~:AMS2_StackedOutput:0

Active Sample Rate: 96kHz
Hog Mode is off

Bridge settings:
Sample rate limitation: 96kHz
Sample rate switching latency: none
Limit bitdepth to 24bit: ON
Mute during sample rate change: ON

Selected device:
Local audio device
ID 0x2e Multi-Output Device
Manufacturer: Apple Inc.
Model Name: Apple Inc. Multi-Output Device
Model UID: ~:AMS2_StackedOutput:0
UID: ~:AMS2_StackedOutput:0

12 available sample rates up to 768000Hz
8000
16000
44100
48000
88200
96000
176400
192000
352800
384000
705600
768000
Audio buffer frame size : 29 to 4096 frames
Current I/O buffer frame size : 512
Volume Control
Physical: No
Virtual: No
MQA capability
Auto-detect MQA devices: Yes
Not a MQA device, user set to not MQA
DSD capability: Unhandled
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 0x2f 2 channels starting at 1
12 virtual formats:
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 768kHz
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 Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 16kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 8kHz

12 physical formats
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 768kHz
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 Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 16kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 8kHz

Local devices found : 4
Device #0: ID 0x4e RX-A4A Manufacturer: YMH Model UID: 65A80832-0000-0000-001E-010380000078 UID: 65A80832-0000-0000-001E-010380000078 Model Name: YMH RX-A4A
Device #1: ID 0x32 BlackHole 16ch Manufacturer: Existential Audio Inc. Model UID: BlackHole16ch_ModelUID UID: BlackHole16ch_UID Model Name: Existential Audio Inc. BlackHole 16ch
Device #2: ID 0x42 MacBook Pro Speakers Manufacturer: Apple Inc. Model UID: Speaker UID: BuiltInSpeakerDevice Model Name: Apple Inc. MacBook Pro Speakers
Device #3: ID 0x2e Multi-Output Device Manufacturer: Apple Inc. Model UID: ~:AMS2_StackedOutput:0 UID: ~:AMS2_StackedOutput:0 Model Name: Apple Inc. Multi-Output Device

UPnP devices found : 1
Device #0: ID 0x0 Yamaha RX-A4A UID: uuid:9ab0c000-f668-11de-9976-8c19b5b657c4 Location: http://[omitted]/MediaRenderer/desc.xml

Agoldnear · July 25, 2022, 5:05pm

…

What happens with the MBP connected directly to the RX-A4A, (No Blackhole, no Aggregate Device, no Network connection), and in Audirvana, your DAC Input is set to “Use Stereo Only” and the “Bridge” “Maximum sample rate” set to 384kHZ and your ‘Audio MIDI Setup’ configured to 24/384kHz when the receiver is actively connected to the MBP?.. Does Audio MIDI Setup show the receiver as 384kHz capable? (You may find the HDMI limitation is 192kHz)

Are you using a high-speed HDMI 2.0 cable?

Blackhole may be hogging the Core Audio path… and DRM functions may be involved with the files you are trying to playback… Are these 24/96kHz files purchased from a legitimate reseller or are you streaming these from a service? DRM functions will be active in streamed content. If you are trying to play files not legitimately purchased or from a streaming service, you will run into DRM management roadblocks.

I’m not certain… you would need input from the Audirvana team regarding how they address the HDMI in Core Audio…. but my feeling is Audirvana addresses the HDMI output via Core Audio API’s and Audirvana + Core Audio becomes the source of the audio data flowing across the HDMI bus… Therefore the fundamental MBP system audio limitations are not a factor.

What happens with a direct connection to the receiver and Audirvana set as described above, and ripping a 16/44.1 CD and in Audirvana, up-convert to 24/176.4kHz or 24/352.8kHz?

The Apple HDMI HDCP protocol support will for sure be a factor with DRM content. DRM factors in every digital-audio playback scenario of legitimate content acquired through legitimate resellers.

Chriswsc1988 · July 26, 2022, 2:18pm

Hi Agoldnear,

When my MBP connected directly to the RX-A4A, (No Blackhole , no Aggregate Device, no Network connection), and in Audirvana, DAC Input is set to “Use Stereo Only” and the “Bridge” “Maximum sample rate ” set to 384kHZ and ‘Audio MIDI Setup’ not able to be configured as 24/384kHz when the receiver is actively connected to the MBP. Audio MIDI Setup cannot show the receiver as 384kHz capable? (You may find the HDMI limitation is 192kHz) - As below:

I am using HDMI 2.1 cable & connect to A4A HDMI Input port 2.
Just remembered that I have not mentioned my TV model yet.
I am using Panasonic TH-49FX800, a 2018 model with ARC @ HDMI port 2 (HDMI2.0), which connecting RX-A4A HDMI output port 1 (HDMI 2.1 with eARC) ; TV HDMI port 1 (HDMI 2.0) with HDMI 2.0 cable for direct connect to my MBP

TV spec:

All of my 24/96KHz have been purchased from Mora (Japan Online Hi-Res store)/ OTOTOY (JP online Hi-Res store)/ HDtracks as well as 16/44.1 CD are purchased from Amazon Japan. DRM issue not likely in this case.

Direct connection to the receiver and Audirvana set as described above, and ripping a 16/44.1 CD and in Audirvana, up-convert to 24/176.4kHz or 24/352.8kHz? <-You mean rip CD music file to lossless FLAC? I cannot find this feature in Audirvana. When playing 16/44.1 ripped lossless files, same as hi-res, they’re both playable with limited to 48kHz sample rate.

In summary, since aggregate interface not working only on Audirvana. I tried some workaround & now I am using TV 's HDMI 1 (HDMI 2.0) connect to my MPB HDMI ; then in Audirvana using A4A UPnP interface. This setup can achieve my desired usage : I can use my TV as extend monitor via HDMI connection & able to enjoy Hi-Res 24/96kHz Music without limited to 48kHz at the same time.

Seems the root cause is the M1 SoC somehow limited MAC HDMI output sample rate as 48kHz by coding & not likely H/W design. Although Audirvana can play file via HDMI connection such as TV/AMP/DAC but still limited as 48kHz. If setup Aggregate Device with Blackhole there is hogging the kernel_task issue. Lesson learned & I am looking forward to Audirvana team diagnostic & reply.

It may help for technical fix / solution for next build/patch. Thanks a lot.

Agoldnear · July 26, 2022, 6:50pm

…

Maybe I’m missing something… When I say “direct to the RX-A4A” I mean connecting the MBP HDMI directly to an HDMI INPUT connection on the receiver…not a TV input and using ARC… I already knew from the de-bug info that you had a Panasonic TV connected in the Aggregate Device report.

If you are connecting to an HDMI input on the TV and then returning to the receiver via ARC, you are invoking DRM management functions which will inhibit playback functionality.

Also, I see from the Audio MIDI Setup screen-shots, that the RX-A4A is not selected as the output device, and you have the Aggregate Device selected as the output device…

Also in Audio MIDI Setup: You have selected 8-channel playback, rather than 2-channel playback… but the input digital signal is 2-channel 24/96kHz… I see that Audirvana is reporting the DAC as 24/192.kHz 7.1 channel…

Apple supports Dolby Atmos… Dolby Atmos is multi-channel 24/96kHz… So, it will not make sense that Apple would throttle the HDMI connection to 48kHz…

Yamaha states the RX-A4A is capable of 2-channel 384kHz PCM and up to 11.2MHz DSD (DSD256)

Why are you not making a direct HDMI connection from the MBP HDMI output, to an HDMI input on the receiver, and then connecting one of the HDMI outputs of the receiver to the TV (as a monitor)? The RX-A4A facilitates viewing video while simultaneously listening to another audio source…

Maybe you need to study your RX-A4A user manual to understand a better connection scheme, so to optimize the performance of the receiver…

From the Wikipedia article: “HDMI” HDMI - Wikipedia

For digital audio, if an HDMI device has audio, it is required to implement the baseline format: stereo (uncompressed) PCM. Other formats are optional, with HDMI allowing up to 8 channels of uncompressed audio at sample sizes of 16 bits, 20 bits, or 24 bits, with sample rates of 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, or 192 kHz. HDMI also carries any [IEC 61937]-compliant compressed audio stream, such as Dolby Digital and DTS, and up to 8 channels of one-bit DSD audio (used on Super Audio CDs at rates up to four times that of Super Audio CD. With version 1.3, HDMI allows lossless compressed audio streams Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

Chriswsc1988 · July 27, 2022, 1:01pm

Hi Agoldnear,

For making a direct HDMI connection from the MBP HDMI output, to an HDMI input on the receiver, and then connecting one of the HDMI outputs of the receiver to the TV (as a monitor)? The RX-A4A facilitates viewing video while simultaneously listening to another audio source

I have been using this method all the time before discover the HDMI limited issue. The system will shown as “Panasonic-TV” if the TV is powered-on ; shown as “RX-A4A” in Midi & “YMH-RX-A4A” in Audirvana when TV is powered-off. It works normal BUT MBP HDMI output limited to 48kHz no matter how to setup with how many channels. It only happens in Apple M1 SoC ; There is not issue and same as usual with >= 96kHz or their best sample rate on Intel CPU MAC

Apple supports Dolby Atmos… Dolby Atmos is multi-channel 24/96kHz… So, it will not make sense that Apple would throttle the HDMI connection to 48kHz…
I get your point, but the reality is Apple would throttle the HDMI connection to 48kHz. I found that there are same issue reported by other resource as below:

Reference:

M1 Mac Mini HDMI audio output locked at 48Khz
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252403374

Mac mini M1 - only 48KHz audio?

Q: How can I pass hi-res audio through my HDMI port
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253761698?answerId=257055653022#257055653022

Now I removed the Aggregated Interface, fallback to the status that just found the HDMI sample issue.

From below screen capture, the system limited to only 48kHz in all channels

Due to this macOS issue, Audirvana also affected. From below screen capture you can see although file is 24/96 but auto-limited to 24/48 - on all channels

I tried to set max. sample rate in setting → “For bridge devices connected to a DAC”
No Limited : Bottom right corner shown as 24/768kHz but strange sound
352.8 / 384 / 192kHz : Bottom right corner shown as 24/176.4kHz ; 24/384kHz or 24/192kHz but strange sound
176.4kHz / 96kHz : Play normally but auto limited to 24/48kHz

I checked A4A user manual and understand the setup. There is no limited issued found on Intel CPU MAC, other Windows Laptop, or other machines. So I tried the workaround for using BlackHole with Aggregate Device Interface but Audirvana fail to play via Aggregate Device Interface and so the story goes…

Current debug as below:

Audirvana Studio 1.13.3 (11303)

macOS Version 12.5 (Build 21G72) with 32GB physical RAM

Connected account of : Chris Wong

SIGNAL PROCESSING:

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

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: ON

LIBRARY SETTINGS:
Sync list: 2 folders
AUTO: /Users/Chris Wong SC/Music/Hi-Res
AUTO: /Users/Chris Wong SC/Music/Music
iTunes/Music library synchronization: not synchronized
Library database path: /Users/Chris Wong SC/Library/Application Support/Audirvana/AudirvanaDatabase.sqlite

Remote Control server:
Listening on 127.0.0.1 on port 49783

ACTIVE STREAMING SERVICES

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

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

Max. memory for audio buffers: 31744MB
Exclusive access: Enabled
Integer mode: Enabled

Preferred device:
YMH RX-A4A
Model UID:65A80832-0000-0000-001E-010380000078
UID:65A80832-0000-0000-001E-010380000078

Active Sample Rate: 48kHz
Hog Mode is off

Bridge settings:
Sample rate limitation: 96kHz
Sample rate switching latency: none
Limit bitdepth to 24bit: OFF
Mute during sample rate change: ON

Selected device:
Local audio device
ID 0x4b RX-A4A
Manufacturer: YMH
Model Name: YMH RX-A4A
Model UID: 65A80832-0000-0000-001E-010380000078
UID: 65A80832-0000-0000-001E-010380000078

7 available sample rates up to 768000Hz
32000
44100
48000
176400
192000
705600
768000
Audio buffer frame size : 15 to 4096 frames
Current I/O buffer frame size : 512
Volume Control
Physical: No
Virtual: No
MQA capability
Auto-detect MQA devices: Yes
Not a MQA device, user set to not MQA
DSD capability: Unhandled
Device audio channels
Multichannel: 8 channels
Preferred stereo channels L:1 R:2
Channel bitmap: Ox3, layout:
Channel 0 mapped to 0
Channel 1 mapped to 1
Channel 2 unused
Channel 3 unused
Channel 4 unused
Channel 5 unused
Channel 6 unused
Channel 7 unused

Audio channels in use
Number of channels: 8
Use as stereo device only: No
Simple stereo device: No

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 0x4c 8 channels starting at 1
7 virtual formats:
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 48kHz
3 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 48kHz
4 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 48kHz
5 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 48kHz
6 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 48kHz
7 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 48kHz
8 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 48kHz

21 physical formats
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
3 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
4 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
5 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
6 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
7 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
8 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 20 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
3 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 20 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
4 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 20 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
5 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 20 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
6 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 20 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
7 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 20 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
8 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 20 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
3 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
4 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
5 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
6 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
7 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz
8 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz

Local devices found : 3
Device #0: ID 0x4b RX-A4A Manufacturer: YMH Model UID: 65A80832-0000-0000-001E-010380000078 UID: 65A80832-0000-0000-001E-010380000078 Model Name: YMH RX-A4A
Device #1: ID 0x2f BlackHole 16ch Manufacturer: Existential Audio Inc. Model UID: BlackHole16ch_ModelUID UID: BlackHole16ch_UID Model Name: Existential Audio Inc. BlackHole 16ch
Device #2: ID 0x3f MacBook Pro Speakers Manufacturer: Apple Inc. Model UID: Speaker UID: BuiltInSpeakerDevice Model Name: Apple Inc. MacBook Pro Speakers

UPnP devices found : 1
Device #0: ID 0x0 Yamaha RX-A4A UID: uuid:9ab0c000-f668-11de-9976-8c19b5b657c4 Location: http://[Omitted]/MediaRenderer/desc.xml

Agoldnear · July 27, 2022, 1:17pm

… @Chriswsc1988

Have you tried setting the RX-A4A as 2-channel rather than 8-channel in Audio MIDI Setup?
Maybe you will need to manually switch between 8-channel and 2-channel for stereo audio playback via Audirvana?

What sample-rate do you see when playing Dolby Atmos?

I also see Blackhole in your Local devices still… And the RX-A4A on the UPnP path…

From the Apple Support site:

Mac computers that have a built-in HDMI port comply with HDMI 1.4 or later and support:

Up to 4K at 60Hz on compatible Mac models.
Up to 4K at 30Hz on compatible Mac models.
8-channel/24-bit audio at 192kHz, Dolby Surround 5.1, and traditional stereo.
HDCP-encrypted playback from iTunes and QuickTime Player (version 10). Safari in macOS Sierra or later also supports HDCP-encrypted playback, if the web page is HTML5-enabled and the content is FairPlay Streaming-enabled and delivered using Media Source Extensions or HTTP Live Streaming. To play HDCP content on an external display, HDCP playback requires an HDCP compatible display.
HDR on compatible Mac models.

If using an adapter, check the specifications of the adapter to learn about supported resolutions and other details.

Agoldnear · July 27, 2022, 3:25pm

…

What your de-bug info reads, seems contradictory to what you say you are configuring…

The RXA4A is showing no 96kHz sample-rate support in the de-bug info, however it shows 192kHz and 768kHz… Have you tried up-sampling with ‘Power of Two’ (2x,4x, etc) and your Bridge setting to 384kHz or 768kHz? … It is also showing that DSD capability as ‘Unhandled’

Is the firmware of the Yamaha updated?

Chriswsc1988 · July 31, 2022, 8:01am

Hi Agoldnear,

“The RXA4A is showing no 96kHz sample-rate support in the de-bug info, however it shows 192kHz and 768kHz”

Checked it is M1 SoC MAC issue. Since there is limitation on 48kHz, it omitted 96kHz selection, larger sample rate can be selected but no work, either no sound or cringe / blast sound came out.

"Have you tried up-sampling with ‘Power of Two’ (2x,4x, etc) and your Bridge setting to 384kHz or 768kHz? … It is also showing that DSD capability as ‘Unhandled’ "

From HDMI interface, only 48kHz with all channels, 384/768 will cringe sound output so I usually limited to current files sample rate such as 96kHz. since I don’t have any DSD files in the environment and it is out of scope

“Is the firmware of the Yamaha updated?”
Yes, up-to-date 1.66.

As today I setup another Windows Laptop which is AMD CPU with Wins 10 running Audirvana 1.13.3
to confirm if HDMI limitation also exist on other platform other than M1 SoC MAC.

And the result is HDMI output is working fine with max. sample rate no limit , system auto recognize as 24/192kHz , this system max. sample rate is 384kHz and no cringe / strange sound output when selected with 7.1 or stereo channel.

Findings: M1 SoC Mac HDMI output has limitation with max 24/48kHz. When setup Aggerate Interface, Although other app such as Spotify, Youtube/Netflix with browser can play with Aggerate Interface with BlackHole 96kHz setting, only Audirvana cannot play with error

Error initializing sound device
The sound device is already hogged by another application((null), pid = 0)

=======================================================================
Debug info with Windows laptop. Same as previous M1 MacBook Pro, Yamaha A4A UPnP cannot be disable unless power-off the system.

Audirvana Studio 1.13.3 (11303)

Windows 10 (19044) with 16GB physical RAM

Connected account of : Chris Wong

SIGNAL PROCESSING:

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

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: 2 folders
AUTO: C:\Users\Chris Wong\Music\mora
AUTO: C:\Users\Chris Wong\Music\MUSIC
Library database path: C:\Users\Chris Wong\AppData\Local\Audirvana\Audirvana\AudirvanaDatabase.sqlite

Remote Control server:
Listening on [IP omitted] on port 49337

ACTIVE STREAMING SERVICES

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

Max. memory for audio buffers: 4072MB

Local Audio Engine: Kernel Streaming

Preferred device:
1 - RX-A4A (AMD High Definition Audio Device)
Model UID:MMDEVAPI\AudioEndpoints
UID:\?\SWD#MMDEVAPI#{0.0.0.00000000}.{2e7236ad-e67c-4bf4-be41-e83e4d411c2e}#{e6327cad-dcec-4949-ae8a-991e976a79d2}

Currently playing in Integer Mode:
Device: 8ch 24bits Integer, 32 bytes per frame 96kHz

Active Sample Rate: 96kHz

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
1 - RX-A4A (AMD High Definition Audio Device)
Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices
Model Name: Unknown manufacturer
Model UID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_1002&DEV_AA01&SUBSYS_00AA0100&REV_1007
UID: \?\SWD#MMDEVAPI#{0.0.0.00000000}.{2e7236ad-e67c-4bf4-be41-e83e4d411c2e}#{e6327cad-dcec-4949-ae8a-991e976a79d2}
Kernel Streaming capable

6 available sample rates up to 192000Hz
44100
48000
88200
96000
176400
192000
Volume Control
Physical: No
Virtual: No
MQA capability
Auto-detect MQA devices: Yes
Not a MQA device, user set to not MQA
DSD capability: Unhandled
Device audio channels
Multichannel: 8 channels
Preferred stereo channels L:0 R:1
Channel bitmap: Oxff, layout:
Channel 0 mapped to 0
Channel 1 mapped to 1
Channel 2 mapped to 2
Channel 3 mapped to 3
Channel 4 mapped to 4
Channel 5 mapped to 5
Channel 6 mapped to 6
Channel 7 mapped to 7

Audio channels in use
Number of channels: 8
Use as stereo device only: No
Simple stereo device: No

1 output streams:
Number of active channels: 8, in 1 stream(s)
Channel #0 :Stream 0 channel 0
Channel #1 :Stream 0 channel 1
Channel #2 :Stream 0 channel 2
Channel #3 :Stream 0 channel 3
Channel #4 :Stream 0 channel 4
Channel #5 :Stream 0 channel 5
Channel #6 :Stream 0 channel 6
Channel #7 :Stream 0 channel 7
8 ch Integer PCM 16bit little endian 44.1kHz
8 ch Integer PCM 24bit little endian aligned high in 32bit chunk 44.1kHz
8 ch Integer PCM 16bit little endian 48kHz
8 ch Integer PCM 24bit little endian aligned high in 32bit chunk 48kHz
8 ch Integer PCM 16bit little endian 88.2kHz
8 ch Integer PCM 24bit little endian aligned high in 32bit chunk 88.2kHz
8 ch Integer PCM 16bit little endian 96kHz
8 ch Integer PCM 24bit little endian aligned high in 32bit chunk 96kHz
8 ch Integer PCM 16bit little endian 176.4kHz
8 ch Integer PCM 24bit little endian aligned high in 32bit chunk 176.4kHz
8 ch Integer PCM 16bit little endian 192kHz
8 ch Integer PCM 24bit little endian aligned high in 32bit chunk 192kHz

Local devices found : 2
Device #0: 1 - RX-A4A (AMD High Definition Audio Device) Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices Model UID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_1002&DEV_AA01&SUBSYS_00AA0100&REV_1007 UID: \?\SWD#MMDEVAPI#{0.0.0.00000000}.{2e7236ad-e67c-4bf4-be41-e83e4d411c2e}#{e6327cad-dcec-4949-ae8a-991e976a79d2} Model Name: Unknown manufacturer
Device #1: Speakers (Realtek(R) Audio) Manufacturer: Realtek Model UID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0256&SUBSYS_10431C0E&REV_1000 UID: \?\SWD#MMDEVAPI#{0.0.0.00000000}.{f5030185-6cf8-4daf-8af0-42c7d371a26f}#{e6327cad-dcec-4949-ae8a-991e976a79d2} Model Name: Realtek(R) Audio

UPnP devices found : 1
Device #0Yamaha RX-A4A UID: uuid:9ab0c000-f668-11de-9976-8c19b5b657c4 Location: http://[omitted]/MediaRenderer/desc.xml

Agoldnear · July 31, 2022, 4:49pm

…

The most obvious reason you get the error-message is that Audirvana wants unfettered access to Core Audio on your MBP and Blackhole is usurping the Core Audio API’s.

Did you ever configured the RX-A4A as a stereo device (2-channel) on the Mac and not using Blackhole?

This does not makes sense, because Audirvana saw the RX-A4A as capable of 176.4kHz and 192kHz playback,… I presume the "cringe/blast sound you describe, is because the audio data-stream is losing synchronization with the DAC, creating digital “hash”… Why would Apple restrict 96kHz via HDMI, and pass 176.4kHz and 192kHz? … This makes no sense…

I don’t know why you are creating an Aggregate Device in Audio MIDI setup and using Blackhole, instead of a simple configuration as a stereo player… Perhaps there is a problem switching the channel-output to 2-channel playback and switching the sample-rate automatically… This is something that M1 users have been talking about (having to switch sample-rate manually in Audio MIDI setup… the workaround was to use BlackHole to automatically switch the sample-rate, however, doing so is conflicting with Audirvana)…

system · October 29, 2022, 4:49pm

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