Regular (circa 20s) dropouts with HiFace2 / Mac Mini

[Olliemk1]

I'm experiencing the above problem with my newly purchased Mac Mini (current model), using ALAC files played through iTunes with and without Amarra. I've used the HiFace 2 for a few years without any issues with a 2012 MacBook Pro Retina.

 

The problem resolves when I unplug the HiFace and then plug it back in, but the audio drops out again after 20s or so.

 

Does anyone have any ideas as to what the issue might be? I've tried all the USB ports and the problem is the same.

 

Thanks in advance.

[goldsdad]

I'm experiencing the above problem with my newly purchased Mac Mini (current model), using ALAC files played through iTunes with and without Amarra. I've used the HiFace 2 for a few years without any issues with a 2012 MacBook Pro Retina.

 

The problem resolves when I unplug the HiFace and then plug it back in, but the audio drops out again after 20s or so.

 

Does anyone have any ideas as to what the issue might be? I've tried all the USB ports and the problem is the same.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

If you have other USB devices simultaneously attached, try removing them to see if that stops the dropouts. That's not intended as a solution, but it may help identify where a problem is occurring so an acceptable solution may be found.

[Olliemk1]

Thanks - but no other devices are attached

[goldsdad]

Thanks - but no other devices are attached

 

I guess you are running Yosemite. Have you ensured it is up to date - version 10.10.5?

You could also install El Capitan, but put it into another partition so you can fall back on Yosemite because there will be new bugs in the new OS which may make it less useful than Yosemite for you.

[Olliemk1]

So I've now updated to El Capitan. Same issue. I don't use any other software on the Mac mini - it's purely for music. This is very frustrating!

[Olliemk1]

I've managed to yield small improvements by playing with the sampling settings (using Bitperfect), but it's still pretty hopeless, dropping out every 30-60s or so.

 

I'm going to try a Belkin Thunderbolt hub but am not particularly optimistic and expect I might end up returning it.

 

Anyone else have any ideas? If I can't sort this I'm probably going to end up ditching the Mac and switching to a dedicated streamer - which isn't what I want to do!

[jabbr]

I've managed to yield small improvements by playing with the sampling settings (using Bitperfect), but it's still pretty hopeless, dropping out every 30-60s or so.

 

I'm going to try a Belkin Thunderbolt hub but am not particularly optimistic and expect I might end up returning it.

 

Anyone else have any ideas? If I can't sort this I'm probably going to end up ditching the Mac and switching to a dedicated streamer - which isn't what I want to do!

 

Try running "Activity Monitor" and see if you are maxing CPU for some reason. You may have a memory (or lack thereof) issue, or disc issue. How much memory? What type of disc? Are you using an external USB drive? If so that's likely the culprit and the thunderbolt hub will likely solve. Alternatively run the files off a NAS.

[Olliemk1]

Try running "Activity Monitor" and see if you are maxing CPU for some reason. You may have a memory (or lack thereof) issue, or disc issue. How much memory? What type of disc? Are you using an external USB drive? If so that's likely the culprit and the thunderbolt hub will likely solve. Alternatively run the files off a NAS.

 

Thanks - seems unlikely but I'll check AM later on. I've copied my library onto the internal HDD for now with the intention of exploring the NAS option further down the line. Didn't expect to have any issues like this!

[Olliemk1]

Sorted!

 

Appears to have been a buffering issue. Playing with the settings in Bitperfect has sorted it.

 

Sweet, sweet relief!