Integer mode not working on MacOS Tahoe (no sound during playback)

[dvtone]

Integer mode stopped working on the latest Mac OS Tahoe when I installed the public beta when it was released. There was faint distortion during playback that was only audible when I turn the volume all the way up. I was hoping the problem would go away with the official release of Mac OS Tahoe 26.0, but the problem still remains. Playback is fine with integer mode turned off.

I read some of the older posts saying that integer mode doesn’t really work on Macs due to Apple blocking access to the kernel (or something along those lines) – is this still the case?

Audirvana Origin 2.6.2 (20602)

Running on MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020), Apple M1

macOS Version 26.0 (Build 25A354) ARM64 with 16GB physical RAM

Connected account of : Hadi Mahmud

NETWORK
Status: available
Local network access: allowed

LOADING/DECODING:
Max audio buffer size: 13312MB
Polarity Inversion:
Globally: OFF
Per track: ON

SIGNAL PROCESSING:
Effect Plugins: NOT ACTIVE

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

AUDIO VOLUME:
Replay Gain: by album
Max allowed volume: 100
SW volume control: OFF

LIBRARY SETTINGS:
Sync list: 2 folders
AUTO: /Users/hadimahmud/Music/DJ MIXES/DJ Sets
AUTO: /Users/hadimahmud/Music/LOSSLESS
Sync folders at startup: YES
iTunes/Music library synchronization: not synchronized
Sort and display order: en_US
Library database path: /Users/hadimahmud/Library/Application Support/Audirvana/AudirvanaDatabase.sqlite

Remote Control server:
Listening on
en0 IPv4: 192.168.101.15
on port 49277

APPEARANCE SETTINGS:
UI theme: dark
Font size: regular
Language: System language
Show album covers in tracks list: yes
Source list sorted:
Library
My Music
Startup view: Last displayed view
Show local extended in source list: no
Use media keys: yes
Use media keys for volume control: yes
Use Apple Remote: yes
Number of paired remotes: 2
Remote pairing code required: yes
Screen saver disabled: yes

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

Active method: Local

Max. memory for audio buffers: 13312MB

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

Preferred device:
Built-in Output
Model UID:
UID:

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:SMSL USB AUDIO
Manufacturer: SMSL
Model name: SMSL USB AUDIO
Model UID: SMSL USB AUDIO:152A:85DD
UID: AppleUSBAudioEngine:SMSL:SMSL USB AUDIO:1100000:1
USB Vendor ID: 0x152a
USB Product ID: 0x85dd
ID 0x5f

10 available sample rates up to 768000Hz
44100
48000
88200
96000
176400
192000
352800
384000
705600
768000
Audio buffer frame size : 14 to 4096 frames
Current I/O buffer frame size : 512

Volume Control
Physical: No
Virtual: No
Max volume alert: Enabled

MQA capability
Auto-detect MQA devices: Yes
MQA Decoder device

DSD capability
Unhandled (PCM conversion) with boost gain of 6dB

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 0x60 2 channels starting at 1
30 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 Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 768kHz
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 aligned low in 32bit 768kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 705.6kHz
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

40 physical formats
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Integer 768kHz
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 aligned low in 32bit 768kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 705.6kHz
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 32 little endian Signed Integer 768kHz
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 aligned low in 32bit 768kHz
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 705.6kHz
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 : 3
Device #0: ID 0x5f SMSL USB AUDIO
Manufacturer: SMSL
Model UID: SMSL USB AUDIO:152A:85DD
UID: AppleUSBAudioEngine:SMSL:SMSL USB AUDIO:1100000:1
USB Vendor ID: 0x152a
USB Product ID: 0x85dd
Model name: SMSL USB AUDIO
Device #1: ID 0x53 MacBook Pro Speakers
Manufacturer: Apple Inc.
Model UID: Speaker
UID: BuiltInSpeakerDevice
Model name: Apple Inc. MacBook Pro Speakers
Device #2: ID 0x4d Serato Virtual Audio
Manufacturer: Serato
Model UID: VirtualAudio_ModelUID
UID: VirtualAudio_UID
Model name: Serato Virtual Audio

UPnP

UPnP network interface
Available Network interfaces:
Wi-Fi

UPnP devices found : 0

Chromecast

Chromecast devices found : 0

[Agoldnear]

• What happens when you remove/disable “Serato Virtual Audio” and shut-down the computer and reboot your system and DAC?

• Do you have the latest version of “Serato Virtual Audio” installed and is it compatible with Tahoe?"

• … Also we see the “Preferred Device” as “Built-in Output” and the “Selected Device” as “SMSL USB Audio”.

[Tademeus]

Hi there, just wanted to make you aware that there’s an issue with Audirvana Origin 2.6.2 on macOS Tahoe - it can not play high-resolution ALAC (Apple Lossless) files. Standard CD resolution 16bit/44.1kHz in ALAC format plays fine, but 24bit ALAC files play with static noise.
Hoping for update to Audirvana to be released soon.
Thank you.

[Djm1960]

Might I suggest you post your debug info and describe what you have tried so far to resolve the issue.

I would be surprised if it was due to an Origin compatibility issue with Tahoe. Origin and Studio both share the same local file playback codebase as has been reported on this forum in the past. Although I use Studio I have not seen issues today since installing the release build (25A354) of Tahoe about 12 hours ago. In the screenshot of my play history you can see the majority of files I have played are 24/192 or 24/96 ALAC files. All have played flawlessly over UPnP to my endpoints.

[sridavid]

Whole post is in the subject line. A definite issue, apparently with new configuration in the OS itself. Can Audirvana fix this? Studio v.2.11.3

[Tademeus]

Thank you for your response Djm1960! Integer Mode it was - turned it off and it plays fine now.

[britob]

What do you mean by no longer functional, exactly? To debug software, you need to be as specific as possible.

[glt91]

Having the same issue, very low output and lots of static distortion when Integer mode is enabled, but playback works just fine when it’s turned off, but sound quality takes a noticeable hit without INT mode.
Hoping there’s a work around as Integer mode makes a big difference in my system

[iPat]

@Tademeus seem observation here, no music while ‘Integer’ is ON, Switching it off , for now, solves it. Look forward to update

[Djm1960]

Interesting. Just fired up a USB DAC as have been playing for the last day to UPnP devices with Integer Mode on without any issues on Tahoe. Same result playback is the same as always. Flawless.

Playback is fine for me with Integer Mode on. Go figure…

[Djm1960]

Fine for me with integer mode on. Bit perfect or upsampled absolutely no issues. Both over USB and UPnP again no issues with playback on Tahoe……Weird

[Djm1960]

As stated in response to other users posts on this topic. Integer mode is ON for me on Tahoe with no issues with playback to UPnP devices or USB devices. Bit perfect or upsampled to 768 no issues whatsoever.

Time to dig into your macOS and Audirvana logs to try and spot some errors I think.

One thing to try is restarting core audio. Type the following in terminal

sudo killall coreaudiod

Have seen some reports that there were issues with core audio during the beta phase (distortion and/or no sound from speakers) but never experienced it myself. Not specific to Audirvana I gather as users reported issues with multiple playback apps.

[sridavid]

I am having the same issue as described in at least two other posts. A low static hiss, and no recognition of DoP files as DSD by the DAC, unless I turn off integer mode. Only 16/44.1 files play, local or streaming, no problem. This is with Studio. I have been using Audirvāna since 1.X. I have not had an issue until Monday, when I installed OS26 on my M1Pro MacBook Pro. IMPORTANT: I happen to have 3.5, AND THERE IS NO ISSUE WHATSOEVER FOR ME IN INTEGER MODE WITH 3.5 on Tahoe. I run USB through an Intona isolator to an Holo Audio May DAC. No upsampling, although when I try upsampling a 44.1 file, the problem recurs.

[Shaolin]

Thank you so much for the helpful information @sridavid

I also happen to have 3.5 here, and just now I confirmed that there is no issue in Integer Mode + Exclusive Access Mode with 3.5 on Tahoe, while no sound with Audirvana Origin 2.6.2 (or sometimes “Unable to change to Integer Mode”).

Music files are played here from local ALAC files, through a USB-connected MUTEC MC-3+USB to Mytek Brooklyn DAC+.

[sridavid]

Did execute the Terminal command, to no effect.

[sridavid]

Hi @Shaolin, do you also have an M1 generation Mac?

[Shaolin]

Yes, mine is Mac Studio M1 Max.

[Antoine]

@dvtone , @Tademeus , @sridavid , @glt91 , can you please name the model and brand of your device?

Also, are you using Intel or Apple Silicon CPU?

[Djm1960]

Just for info, I tried to reproduce your issue by installing Audirvana on a test laptop (old M2 MacBook Air) after upgrading to Tahoe. The experience was the same as my main M4 Max MacBook Pro, no issue playing all files bit perfect up to 24/192 when playing to KEF speakers or Chord 2Go/Hugo2 or Chord 2Go/2Yu over UPnP or to a Chord Mojo 2 over USB. Same flawless playback if I turned on upsampling power of 2 to all of the devices maxing out at 768 kHz to the Chords or 384 kHz to the KEF’s. All with integer mode ON

Commiserations to those having issues!

[sridavid]

I am on a MacBook Pro M1Pro Apple silicon, running via an Intona USB isolator to Holo Audio May. Possibly the issue has to do with M1 Macs (2021), given the posts by @Djm1960.