Mac M1 Tracks randomly corrupting

[etc]

Occasionally when listening to an album, all will be fine but when the next track comes along, it sounds like its trying to play a corrupted track. Its just a horrible noise although it is possible to distinguish the tracks contents.

Its not possible to make it do it - it just seems to crop up randomly but seems to be more prevalent when playing 24/192 albums. If it happens, you can select a different track and it will play it but more often than not the next track will go ‘corrupt’. Its definitely not the track on the album as on other occasions it will play fine. I can’t describe the noise but its just a horrible sound with lots of hiss and broken bits of track in the background. (It was the same in the previous version of studio as well)

The only way to solve it is to completely close Audirvana and re launch. Problem solved. Only thing is it will reoccur sometime unexpectedly and its quite unpleasant if you have been listening at high levels.

This is on a MacM1.

There is no visible error and I’m not sure how to capture what you might need - in any case it could go a few days without doing it, then maybe multiple times in one evening.

Hopefully someone can help.

[Agoldnear]

Are you connected locally to your DAC via USB?

Please paste your Debug Information here so you can get help from folks on the forum… Click on the Audirvana dropdown and choose the ‘Debug Info’ option to display and copy.

[etc]

Yes connected locally via USB

Audirvana Studio 2.3.2 (20302)

macOS Version 13.4 (Build 22F66) with 16GB physical RAM

Connected account of :

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: 0 folders
iTunes/Music library synchronization: not synchronized
Library database path: /Users//Library/Application Support/Audirvana/AudirvanaDatabase.sqlite

Local audio files fingerprinting
Tracks with no MBID: 1447

Remote Control server:
Listening on 127.0.0.1 on port 49238

ACTIVE STREAMING SERVICES
Qobuz: Connected as Qobuz Studio

=================== 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: OFF
Actual I/O buffer frame size: 512

Preferred device:
Chord Electronics Ltd Qutest
Model UID:Qutest:245F:0815
UID:AppleUSBAudioEngine:Chord Electronics Ltd:Qutest:413-001:2

Currently playing in Integer Mode:
Device: 2ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 32bits little endian Signed Integer, 8 bytes per frame 48kHz

Active Sample Rate: 48kHz
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: OFF

Selected device:Qutest
Manufacturer: Chord Electronics Ltd
Model name: Chord Electronics Ltd Qutest
Model UID: Qutest:245F:0815
UID: AppleUSBAudioEngine:Chord Electronics Ltd:Qutest:413-001:2
USB Vendor ID: 0x245f
USB Product ID: 0x0815
ID 0x30

11 available sample rates up to 768000Hz
32000
44100
48000
88200
96000
176400
192000
352800
384000
705600
768000
Audio buffer frame size : 15 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: 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 0x31 2 channels starting at 1
22 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 32kHz
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 32 little endian Signed Integer 32kHz

22 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 32 little endian Signed Integer 32kHz
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 32 little endian Signed Integer 32kHz

Local devices found : 2
Device #0: ID 0x30 Qutest
Manufacturer: Chord Electronics Ltd
Model UID: Qutest:245F:0815
UID: AppleUSBAudioEngine:Chord Electronics Ltd:Qutest:413-001:2
USB Vendor ID: 0x245f
USB Product ID: 0x0815
Model name: Chord Electronics Ltd Qutest
Device #1: ID 0x4d iMac Speakers
Manufacturer: Apple Inc.
Model UID: Speaker
UID: BuiltInSpeakerDevice
Model name: Apple Inc. iMac Speakers

UPnP

UPnP devices found : 0

Chromecast

Chromecast devices found : 0

[szablyaakos]

I have the same m1 max 64gb (monterey 12.6.6) - i am afraid for updates to Ventura , because i heard it killed external drives). Randomly, relatively rarely, but brutal noise is heard. If I step forward to the next track it plays well. very annoying, but even more worse my whole machine is freezing, if it scans the folders on the external hard disc (if i only add a single track to Origin starts to scan all of the folder/ folders), the dictation does not work,rainbowball is spinning, etc (However I have already turned off full access on the origin).

[Djm1960]

I would adjust the ram setting in Audirvana to 6 GB. Also turn off the Apple EQ plugin in real time mode and see if it reoccurs.

Edit:
I should add I have had issues with the EQ plugin in real-time mode on an M1 Mac. Issue disappeared when not in real time mode. Also my apple silicon Mac’s have always run fine with Audirvana 6 GB ram allocation even when upsampling with Audirvana feeding a Hugo 2 with 705 and 768 kHz streams. As such no need to starve the os quite so much.

[Djm1960]

As per the suggestion earlier to @etc, post your debug info and maybe someone in the community may have a suggestion.

On the disk issue, I run two SSD raids and occasionally a few SSD drives plugged in to my Mac running Ventura via an OWC dock with no issues. Older spinning disks with earlier USB versions did have issues but I believe reliability of connections improved after 13.2.1. I would avoid adaptors to go from old USB connectors to a USB type C and get reputable uSB-C cable to whatever flavour connector you have on the HD. Also some old HD’s which spin down on a timer have been a bit of a nightmare if you have your library on one.

[szablyaakos]

Thanks. I am using my hdds via thunderbolt3 connections.

[etc]

Thanks but I cant see where to adjust the RAM setting you mention.

I have looked in the setting under Computer, Audio and Streaming but cannot see it anywhere.

Can you give me a hint?

[AndyLubke]

[etc]

Ah - I looked at that and thought -‘surely not’

After playing some things its currently at 13Gb. This must be auto adjusting. Do you still think I should change it to 6Gb.

Note that there is no problem playing tracks normally - its just sometime it stalls. I’m not convinced that this is the issue.

Always welcome suggestions

[AndyLubke]

As @Djm1960 already mentioned: It is probably the plugin you are using.
First steps in basic troubleshooting: Disable everything which is not strictly necessary:

• Turn real time mode off in the plugin
  if that does not help:
• Disable the plugin entirely.
  If that helps you know it is something with the plugin and go from there. Try different settings in the plugin. Or try a different plugin altogether etc. etc.
  I hope you’ll get my drift.

[etc]

Thanks yes - got it. The plugin however is essential to make minor adjustments for my system and room. But yes I get what you mean.

Thanks

[AndyLubke]

@etc

The plugin however is esential to make minor adjustments for my system and room.

I understand that, but it is necessary to find out where the cause lies. After knowing the cause actions can be determined to solve the problem.

[etc]

I have disabled the the real time mode - will see how that goes over time.

I noticed against the DAC input setting that there is a switch 'Large coreAudio I/O buffer. Any idea what this does? Its currently off.

[Agoldnear]

Enable it…

I agree with removing the Apple EQ plug-in to get to a basic playback scenario for trouble-shooting purposes…

(Edit) –
Make sure your DAC and the computer are connected to the same power and earth/ground circuit… keep your USB cable away from other electronics like power-supply transformers and electro-mechanical devices that have magnets or motors and high-powered RF emitting devices, like sitting next to a router, cordless phone, etc…

[Djm1960]

What brand and model of thunderbolt 3 HDD are you using? Will take a look to see if there are any known issues and solutions……

Edit:
For instance LaCie thunderbolt drives often have an issue with a hard disk sleep timer.
Prior to switching to using OWC thunderbolt SSD drives I used Lacie thunderbolt raid HDD and the constant drive spinning down into sleep mode was an issue. In Ventura they removed the option to disable the “put hard disks to sleep when possible” option in system settings so the terminal is the only route to change this. You can increase the sleep timer in terminal via the following…

1. Type sudo pmset -g

2. You will see something similar to the following;
   

   

3. You can adjust the timer to the maximum by typing:
   sudo pmset -a disksleep 1410065408 (or any value in between the default 10 and this figure)

[Djm1960]

If the plug in is enabled turning on real time mode allows you to adjust settings during playback….on the fly if you like. With real time mode disabled the plug in is locked at the previous setting during playback and can only be adjusted once playback is stopped. Not an issue if you have a setting to account for room characteristics.

Agree with Andy on disabling the plug in first and seeing if this solves the issue. Then if all is ok can enable the plug in without real time control to see if RTC is the issue ( it was for me when I tried some headphone correction).

[Agoldnear]

@etc

ACTIVE STREAMING SERVICES
Qobuz: Connected as Qobuz Studio

Are you connected to your home network via Ethernet or WiFi?

[quote=“etc, post:3, topic:37692”]
Active method: Local

Max. memory for audio buffers: 13312MB

@etc

After playing some things its currently at 13Gb. This must be auto adjusting. Do you still think I should change it to 6Gb.

It’s not auto-adjusting… As Djm1960 has suggested lower your playback buffer RAM setting to around 6 to 8GB for best performance.

[matt]

@etc

Use max I/O buffer size: OFF

I would set this to ON, so using max I/O buffer size. This is what Damien recommends.

Matt

[matt]

@Djm1960

I would adjust the ram setting in Audirvana to 6 GB

+1

Matt