@Damien are you listening? The fixes we are sharing are OTHER PLAYERS.
Audirvana is showing the exact format of the audio data sent to the DAC. Other players may not have this information or be less precise.
And this is not an issue. This is simply that the DAC USB interface is accepting only 24bit (or 32bit) PCM signal. And this is very common.
@alberto1 DAC is such one, as the Debug Info shows there is only 24bit integer streams available, in addition to the 32bit float macOS standard ones. (And 32bit float is actually 24bit integer precision, the other 8bit being for the exponent value).
@aja You’ll want to post a copy of your Debug Info (command in the General section of the preferences page, then Ctrl V in a post). This will tell the exact stream formats your DAC is accepting.
There is the case of some DACs that are made of an off the shelf USB interface that accepts 32bit and 24bit streams, and a DAC chip that does not accept 32bit signal. Audirvana has then a setting to cope with such DAC design issue: in the bridge paragraph in the first section of the audio settings page, select the option to send only 24bit data (and not 32bit).
So help us understand if this 24 bit accepted output by the DAC is still bit perfect or not.
I’m not Damien’s spokesperson, but I interpret this as yes.
Only available for Upnp (then in active device), at least in W10. Audirvana always sends out 32 bit to USB, to both my dacs, IFI NANO iDSD, which is capable, and the Cambridge DAC magic plus, which is 24 bit only. I would like to use the IFI as bridge, but this is not possible. It receives 32 bit, so TOSLINK or S/PDIF out doesn’t work.
BR
BB
On MacOS it’s available over USB. Maybe it’s a bug in the Windows version.
Sure no bug, it’s just that Windows version is behind…
BR
BB
Hi,
I encountered the same issue although with a marantz HDMI receiver( audio output only sending 24/44 whatever the original sample rate being played). Then I realized I had to manually set the option in the general tab for bridge devices to DAC to a higher sample rate (I use 96) to allow upsampling to work or allow higher resolution files like MQA to pass apparently untouched. Not sure what this option does exactly, but it seems to have solved my issue as the output correctly shows 24/96 now. In case this is helpful to someone.
The setting is there, but displayed only if your DAC has both 24 and 32bit streams available.
Checking in the Debug Info taken with your DAC connected and selected will tell you which streams it offers.
Debug info Cambridge DAC magic plus:
Audirvana 3.5.1
SIGNAL PROCESSING:
Polarity Inversion:
Globally: OFF
Per track: ON
Effects plugins NOT ACTIVE
UPSAMPLING:
SoX not in use
SoX filter parameters
Bandwidth at 0dB = 99.5
Filter max length = 30000
Anti-aliasing = 100
Phase = 66
AUDIO VOLUME:
Max allowed volume: 100
Replay Gain: None
SW volume control: OFF
LIBRARY SETTINGS:
Sync list: 0 folders
Library database path: C:
TIDAL: Connected as HIFI
=================== AUDIO DEVICE ========================
Max. memory for audio buffers: 6862MB
Local Audio Engine:ASIO 2 driver version 1071
Preferred device:
CA USBAudio ASIO Driver
Model UID:CA USBAudio ASIO Driver
UID:CA USBAudio ASIO Driver
Currently playing in Integer Mode:
Device: 2ch 32bits Integer, 8 bytes per frame 96kHz
Active Sample Rate: 96kHz
Bridge settings:
Sample rate limitation: 384kHz
Sample rate switching latency: 1s
Limit bitdepth to 24bit: OFF
Mute during sample rate change: ON
Selected device:
Local audio device
CA USBAudio ASIO Driver Manufacturer:
Model UID:CA USBAudio ASIO Driver UID:CA USBAudio ASIO Driver
5 available sample rates up to 192000Hz
44100
48000
88200
96000
192000
Volume Control
Physical: No
Virtual: No
MQA capability
Auto-detect MQA devices: No
Not a MQA device, user set to not MQA
DSD capability: Unhandled
Device audio channels
Preferred stereo channels L:0 R:1
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
2 ch Integer PCM 32bit little endian 44.1kHz
2 ch Integer PCM 32bit little endian 48kHz
2 ch Integer PCM 32bit little endian 88.2kHz
2 ch Integer PCM 32bit little endian 96kHz
2 ch Integer PCM 32bit little endian 192kHz
Local devices found : 2
Device #0: CA USBAudio ASIO Driver Manufacturer: Model UID: CA USBAudio ASIO Driver UID: CA USBAudio ASIO Driver
Device #1: iFi (by AMR) HD USB Audio Manufacturer: Model UID: iFi (by AMR) HD USB Audio UID: iFi (by AMR) HD USB Audio
UPnP devices found : 3
Device #0
Device #1
Device #2
What is the lesson from this? Does it really accept only 32 bit? Why should this be? It’s a 24/192 DAC. To be checked the same way my IFI, to be continued 
BR
BB
That’s the point, your DAC offers only 32bit streams.
As you are using ASIO there, you may want to check if in WASAPI, you get the 24bit streams as well.
If yes, then this is an ASIO driver issue.
It offers a lot more, but still there is no option anywhere to define or limit the word length, 24bit, 32bit or similar 
BR
BB
Here is the debug info:
Audirvana 3.5.2
SIGNAL PROCESSING:
Polarity Inversion:
Globally: OFF
Per track: OFF
Effects plugins NOT ACTIVE
UPSAMPLING:
SoX not in use
SoX filter parameters
Bandwidth at 0dB = 99.5
Filter max length = 30000
Anti-aliasing = 100
Phase = 66
AUDIO VOLUME:
Max allowed volume: 100
Replay Gain: None
SW volume control: OFF
LIBRARY SETTINGS:
Sync list: 1 folders
AUTO: \PEISESTUE\Music\Music flac
Library database path: C:\Users\omath\AppData\Local\Audirvana\AudirvanaPlus\AudirvanaPlusDatabaseV2.sqlite
ACTIVE STREAMING SERVICES
=================== AUDIO DEVICE ========================
Max. memory for audio buffers: 670MB
Local Audio Engine:ASIO 2 driver version 1
Preferred device:
ASIO MADIface USB
Model UID:ASIO MADIface USB
UID:ASIO MADIface USB
Active Sample Rate: 48kHz
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
ASIO MADIface USB Manufacturer:
Model UID:ASIO MADIface USB UID:ASIO MADIface USB
13 available sample rates up to 11289600Hz
44100
48000
88200
96000
176400
192000
352800
384000
705600
768000
2822400
5644800
11289600
Volume Control
Physical: No
Virtual: No
MQA capability
Auto-detect MQA devices: Yes
Not a MQA device, user set to not MQA
DSD capability: Raw DSD (MSB)
Device audio channels
Preferred stereo channels L:0 R:1
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
2 ch Integer PCM 32bit little endian 44.1kHz
2 ch Integer PCM 32bit little endian 48kHz
2 ch Integer PCM 32bit little endian 88.2kHz
2 ch Integer PCM 32bit little endian 96kHz
2 ch Integer PCM 32bit little endian 176.4kHz
2 ch Integer PCM 32bit little endian 192kHz
2 ch Integer PCM 32bit little endian 352.8kHz
2 ch Integer PCM 32bit little endian 384kHz
2 ch Integer PCM 32bit little endian 705.6kHz
2 ch Integer PCM 32bit little endian 768kHz
2 ch DSD 8bit big endian in 8bit chunk 2822.4kHz
2 ch DSD 8bit big endian in 8bit chunk 5644.8kHz
2 ch DSD 8bit big endian in 8bit chunk 11289.6kHz
Local devices found : 1
Device #0: ASIO MADIface USB Manufacturer: Model UID: ASIO MADIface USB UID: ASIO MADIface USB
Regards
Øyvind
Hello @aja,
I can see in your debug info that you can only have 32 bit capability with your ASIO driver, could you try with WASAPI?
Hi @Antoine,
I’m a bit confused. I have the same issue (each 16bit/44kHz file is sent out as 24bit/44kHz), but my dac is connected via an optical cable (my Rega dac is optimized for toslink, not usb).
Are my Audirvana settings optimal for best sound quality? Many thanks for (anyones) (your) feedback!
Debug info:
Audirvana Mac Version 3.5.30 (3560)
macOS 10.13.6 with 8192MB RAM
SIGNAL PROCESSING:
Polarity Inversion:
Globally: OFF
Per track: OFF
Effects plugins NOT ACTIVE
UPSAMPLING:
iZotope SRC not in use iZotope SRC filter parameters
Steepness = 150
Filter max length = 500000
Cut-Off (x Nyquist) = 100%
Anti-aliasing = 200
Phase = 100%
AUDIO VOLUME:
Max allowed volume: 100
Replay Gain: None
SW volume control: OFF
LIBRARY SETTINGS:
Sync list: 1 folders
AUTO: /Volumes/HDD1 4 TB/Mark’s Muziekbibliotheek/Music
iTunes/Music library synchronization: last synchronized on Fri Jan 17 07:39:03 2020
Library database path: /Users/***/Library/Application Support/Audirvana/AudirvanaPlusDatabaseV2.sqlite
ACTIVE STREAMING SERVICES
TIDAL: Connected as HIFI
=================== AUDIO DEVICE ========================
Direct Mode audio path, buffer I/O frame size: 4096
Max. memory for audio buffers: 5120MB
Local Audio Engine:
Exclusive access: Enabled
Integer mode: Enabled
Preferred device:
Built-in Output
Model UID:AppleHDA:35
UID:AppleHDAEngineOutput:1B,0,1,2:0
Currently playing in standard 32bit float mode
Device: 2ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32bits little endian Signed Float, 8 bytes per frame 44.1kHz
Active Sample Rate: 44.1kHz
Hog Mode is on
Bridge settings:
Sample rate limitation: none
Sample rate switching latency: none
Limit bitdepth to 24bit: OFF
Mute during sample rate change: ON
Selected device:
Local audio device
ID 0x4f Built-in Output Manufacturer:Apple Inc.
Model UID:AppleHDA:35 UID:AppleHDAEngineOutput:1B,0,1,2:0
5 available sample rates up to 96000Hz
32000
44100
48000
88200
96000
Audio buffer frame size : 14 to 4096 frames
Current I/O buffer frame size : 4096
Volume Control
Physical: No
Virtual: No
MQA capability
Auto-detect MQA devices: Yes
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 0x50 2 channels starting at 1
5 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
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32 little endian Signed Float 32kHz
20 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 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 Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 32kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 20 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 96kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 20 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 88.2kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 20 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 48kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 20 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 44.1kHz
2 ch Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 20 little endian Signed Integer aligned low in 32bit 32kHz
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 Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 32kHz
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 32kHz
Local devices found : 3
Device #0: ID 0x4f Built-in Output Manufacturer: Apple Inc. Model UID: AppleHDA:35 UID: AppleHDAEngineOutput:1B,0,1,2:0
Device #1: ID 0x54 HDMI Manufacturer: Apple Inc. Model UID: AppleHDA:35 UID: AppleHDAEngineOutputDP:0,1,0,1,0:0
Device #2: ID 0x29 Hue Sync Manufacturer: Philips Lighting B.V. Model UID: com_lighting_HueSyncEngine:0 UID: com_lighting_HueSyncEngine:0
UPnP devices found : 1
Device #0: ID 0x0 BRAVIA KD-49X8505B UID: uuid:00000000-0000-1010-8000-fcf1528de4bb
Back again…
Nou I’m seeing MQA files being upsampled as well.
See screenshot.
Any help in the right settings is much apreciated.
i don’t stream, my dac is not mqa… but upsampling option are in your dac settings in Audirvana bottom right speaker icon… put it at Deactivated, if already there, must be a mqa thing 
It was set to ‘deactivated’ so thats not the problem…
There’s no upsampling going on. The MQA file is just unfolded (1st unfold).
I understand. Thanks for the replies.
So there is no setting I need to change to get more out of my system?