Music stop playing frequently for no reason

Origin
1

I use Audirvana Origin in a 2018 macMini (Intel based processor) using Sonoma 14.2.1 OS connected to a Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M 2.0 via USB. I very frequently experience the issue where music stop playing for no reason. I don’t (never) experience this issue when I use Apple Music (iTunes) and VLC to play music. Also, I have swapped the DacMagic to my older Arcam irDAC and the same issue manifest (music stop playing very frequently for no reason). I have changed every single parameter in Audirvana trying to isolate the issue and nothing helps. I like very much the sound quality of Audirvana and it is great when it works; sadly it is not reliable and it can be an extreme frustrating experience. I have run out of ideas and not sure what I can do to make it work properly. Hopefully someone in Audirvana can help solve the problem.

I have included the debug information below:

Audirvana Origin 2.5.10 (20510)

macOS 14.2.1 with 16GB physical RAM

Connected account of : Sergio Mercado

NETWORK
Status: available

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: by album
SW volume control: ON

LIBRARY SETTINGS:
Sync list: 2 folders
AUTO: /Volumes/2TB Backup 1 1/Music/HDtracks
AUTO: /Volumes/2TB Backup 1 1/Music/Sergio Music Library/Media.localized
iTunes/Music library synchronization: not synchronized
Library database path: /Users/sergiomercado/Library/Application Support/Audirvana/AudirvanaDatabase.sqlite

Remote Control server:
Listening on 127.0.0.1 on port 49591

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

Active method: Local

Max. memory for audio buffers: 6048MB

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:
CA CA DacMagic 200M 2.0
Model UID:CA DacMagic 200M 2.0:22E8:DAC2
UID:AppleUSBAudioEngine:CA:CA DacMagic 200M 2.0:14611400:1

Currently playing in Integer Mode:
Device: 2ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24bits little endian Signed Integer, 8 bytes per frame 96kHz

Active Sample Rate: 96kHz
Hog Mode is on

Bridge settings:
Sample rate limitation: 384kHz
Sample rate switching latency: none
Limit bitdepth to 24bit: ON
Mute during sample rate change: ON

Selected device:CA DacMagic 200M 2.0
Manufacturer: CA
Model name: CA DacMagic 200M 2.0
Model UID: CA DacMagic 200M 2.0:22E8:DAC2
UID: AppleUSBAudioEngine:CA:CA DacMagic 200M 2.0:14611400:1
USB Vendor ID: 0x22e8
USB Product ID: 0xdac2
ID 0x13a

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 0x13b 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 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
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 768kHz
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

40 physical formats
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 Mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 768kHz
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 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
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 768kHz
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 : 7
Device #0: ID 0x10f U32J59x
Manufacturer: Apple Inc.
Model UID: AppleGFXHDA:0
UID: AppleGFXHDAEngineOutputDP:f803:0:{2D4C-0F52-30393245}
Model name: Apple Inc. U32J59x
Device #1: ID 0x13a CA DacMagic 200M 2.0
Manufacturer: CA
Model UID: CA DacMagic 200M 2.0:22E8:DAC2
UID: AppleUSBAudioEngine:CA:CA DacMagic 200M 2.0:14611400:1
USB Vendor ID: 0x22e8
USB Product ID: 0xdac2
Model name: CA DacMagic 200M 2.0
Device #2: ID 0x108 External Headphones
Manufacturer: Apple Inc.
Model UID: Codec Output
UID: BuiltInHeadphoneOutputDevice
Model name: Apple Inc. External Headphones
Device #3: ID 0x102 Mac mini Speakers
Manufacturer: Apple Inc.
Model UID: Speaker
UID: BuiltInSpeakerDevice
Model name: Apple Inc. Mac mini Speakers
Device #4: ID 0x49 Microsoft Teams Audio
Manufacturer: Microsoft Corp.
Model UID: MSLoopbackDriverDevice_ModelUID
UID: MSLoopbackDriverDevice_UID
Model name: Microsoft Corp. Microsoft Teams Audio
Device #5: ID 0x53 Soundflower (2ch)
Manufacturer: ma++ ingalls for Cycling '74
Model UID: com_cycling74_driver_SoundflowerDevice:Soundflower
UID: SoundflowerEngine:0
Model name: ma++ ingalls for Cycling '74 Soundflower (2ch)
Device #6: ID 0x5f Soundflower (64ch)
Manufacturer: ma++ ingalls for Cycling '74
Model UID: com_cycling74_driver_SoundflowerDevice:Soundflower
UID: SoundflowerEngine:1
Model name: ma++ ingalls for Cycling '74 Soundflower (64ch)

UPnP

UPnP devices found : 0

Chromecast

Chromecast devices found : 0

2

Maybe one of those is in conflict ??
for me, i have only my DAC and Apple default speakers in my Local Devices list

3

Clean-up your System audio path…

  • Remove Soundflower and Microsoft Teams Audio and reboot the MacMini… These are competing with Audirvana for Core Audio API’s.

Then…

  • In Audirvana settings ‘Computer’ disable all system functions and set ‘Audirvana priority’ to “Extreme” …

  • In ‘DAC Input’ → ‘Bridge settings’, set ‘Maximum sample rate’’ to "No limit: and 'Limit bit depth to 24bit to “OFF”

Are you running the Mac Mini headless? (Without display)

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

4

Thank you. I can remove the Soundflower and Microsoft Teams Audio drivers. I have Audirvana priority set to “Extreme”. As for the DAC Input, setting the sample rate to “maximum” can create an extreme noise through the speakers and it might damage them, this is why is set to 384khz. Some how Audirvana and the DAC might get out of sync when the sample rate is set to “maximum”.

I have a a monitor connected to the computer. The computer is not fully dedicated to audio, I use it for other work. But, when I used for audio, everything is closed and cleaned. I usually close all open applications, reboot the computer and then open Audirvana.

Usually the issue happens within the first 1/2 an hour after I open Audirvana, after that it mostly running well. I wonder if the issue is related to ‘Rescan Network Folders at Each Start’. I am going to disable it to see if it helps.

5

Thank you, I am going to remove the other audio drives to see if it solves the problem.

6

The DAC is capable to 32/bit 768kHz and DSD512… There should be no issue playing all specified file formats and sample-rates with this DAC.

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

7

I agree the DAC is capable “to 32/bit 768kHz and DSD512…” and it does play the specified formats within my music library with no issues. This is why I had initially the sample rate set to “No Limits”. Sadly like I mentioned before, somehow Audirvana and the DAC did not like that setting and it produced a high volume noise through the speakers where I was worried the speakers would get damaged. This happened as soon as I opened Audirvana without playing any music. For now, this is not an issue for me since the highest HD music I have is 176KHZ and DSD 128.

8

You are probably not the only Audirvana + 200M HPA/DAC user and this behavior does not appear to be a common issue with the Cambridge DAC… There is nothing special with the USB digital-audio protocol used in the transmission of the digital-audio signal delivered to the USB bus controller of the Mac Mini by Audirvana… :wink:

Make sure you have your computer, HPA/DAC and amp/preamp and related audio components on a common power/ground (earth) circuit… If not, you may be experiencing loss of sync, due to ground-loop noise on the signal path, by virtue of having the various components on different power and ground circuit paths (ground differential noise). It is not a ‘given’ that two sockets on an outlet on your wall, share the same power/ground circuit.

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

9

Sorry to hear you are having issues. In addition to the above suggestions I would try the following;

  1. Update to macOS sonoma 14.3.1. There were reported issues with USB connections (most commonly disks) with 14.2 and 14.2.1.

  2. Try a different USB cable. (I have seen a post with someone experiencing playback interruptions which sounded like the DAC was switching off for a split second). In this post the reported solution after sending the DAC to the Cambridge for testing was “a higher quality USB cable”)

  3. If you are using a USB or Thunderbolt dock switch to plugging the DACMagic directly into your Mac Mini. Try also different USB port on the Mini if not done so already.

  4. Try turning off the DacMagic automatic power off function (APD) by pressing the volume control for 5 seconds as per the manual instructions.

  5. Disconnect the DACMagic, conduct a reset to factory defaults as per the manual and connect again to the Mini.

Hope you find a solution soon!

10

Agoldnear,

This is very good feedback. I think you are right since I have had ground issues in my room. The Computer and DAC are plugged to different AC plugs and I had to deal with a ground issue generating “hum” noise through the speakers. The hum noise used to go away when I disconnected the USB cable from the DAC; this issue manifested in both of my DACs. I grounded the pre-amp and the hum issue went away.

I appreciate your feedback very much. I am going to address the “music stop playing” first; I think it has to do with the “Rescan Network Folders at Each Start”. I will post updates on the experiments.

11

Djm1960,

Thank you. I will update to Sonoma 14.3.1; not sure if it is available yet. My system has not notified me with an OS update yet.

I will get a higher quality cable, even if it does not solve the issue it will reduce noise in the line.

No using a USB or Thunderbolt doc, the DAC is connected directly to the macMini.

I will do a reset to factory defaults, hopefully it will solve the issue.

I appreciate your feedback.

12

Djm1960,

I forgot to mention that the DacMagic automatic power off has been disable since day 1.

13

14.3.1 was issued a week or so ago. Best of luck.

Screenshot 2024-03-04 at 09.39.34
Screenshot 2024-03-04 at 09.39.34930×258 15.4 KB

14

Update on the reported issue.

First of all, I want to thank everyone that provided feedback on my reported issue. The main issue I have had is the music stopped playing for no reason. I noticed that the music stopped playing within the plus/minus first half hour of using the system, after it the system worked great. I disable the “Rescan network folders at each start” and so far I haven’t experienced the reported issue. Not sure why this affected my system but it is working properly for now. I will follow up on some of the recommendations to make my system more robust (upgrade the macMini Sonoma to 14.3.1, Reset the DacMagic to factory defaults, and remove the Soundflower and Microsoft Teams Audio drivers). I will provide another update later on the week.

Thank you to everyone who helped me on this issue.