Audirvana Plus 3 (official thread)

[jimdukey]

I have AV+ 2.6.8/Mac/Sierra.

Has anyone here done the Work-around for Direct Mode,

putting the Audiofamilykext File from El Capitan into Sierra?

 

Does not having Direct Mode have an audible difference?

I assume it does, and haven't been using AV as a result.

 

How would doing the work-around Damien recommends

affect future OS changes/upgrades?

 

TIA!

 

[jimdukey]

Hey, Great! 

Thanks-

[jimdukey]

So, are you talking about Windows?

I don't seem to have those options on Mac.

In Prefs, I have Volume set -3, Max and Min, for upsampling to DSD 128, as per Jussi's advice via email.

If I'm on that poly-sinc-extr setting, should I also increase ( Err, decrease ) Volume settings to -4db?

[jimdukey]

Sorry, didn't see that it was AV+ Thread!

 

 

[jimdukey]

Apple told Damien they weren't going to put the audiofamilykext thingie back.

There is a workaround which I download from the AV+ Thread.

If you use it, it has to be re-done everytime there's an update.

And I would have to take it in to the Shop, as I can't do it myself.

I think that's what the poster meant.

I just use HQ/Mac now.

[jimdukey]

I appreciate your input.

Anything is easy if you know how.

But I am not comfortable with what I read, don't have enough knowledge and experience to not screw it up.

But I don't like the idea of using AV+ in less than complete form, is I don't use it at all anymore.

But maybe my Computer tech can do it and show me the steps necessary.

Actually, that's a pretty good idea!

This and HQ Forums are great!

[jimdukey]

I don't use AV+ anymore, because Direct Mode is no longer functional on Mac/Sierra.

There's a workaround, but it's not for non-tech-types like me.

And it has to re-done after every OS Update. ( there was another one just today).

Too much trouble, and I don't know why anyone would use AV+ anymore because of that.

I certainly wouldn't pay to upgrade to AV+ 3 with this situation.

I feel bad for Damien, as Apple won't fix it for him. 

[jimdukey]

"Same Boat".

I get no Direct Mode Error Messages from HQ or Decible, they work as before.

Jussi said every Software Designer has their way of getting Direct Access.

HQ's isn't affected by the Audio family kext thing.

And if AV+ only sounds a little better with Direct Mode,

then it sounds a little worse without it.

I intend to go to my computer tech to see how to re-insert the Kext File, but it's a real pain to take the Computer there.

I hope it really is as easy as suggested...

[jimdukey]

"Umm, 'cause it sounds really great?"

I like AV+ too, but it doesn't work the way it did before.

For me, that's a Problem.

[jimdukey]

Decibal does.

HQ went a different route.

A very good sounding one, with no OS-induced problems.

[jimdukey]

Decibal has "Hog-Mode,"

same thing.

 

And the Error Message I get on AV+ does mean it's broken, or why would the work-around be offered?

 

[jimdukey]

Then why doesn't direct mode work, if nothing is broken?

 

Anyway, I just made a direct comparison of HQ and AV+,

using a DSD 64 recording I made and am playing on.

 

HQ upsampling to DSD128 ( with NO conversion to PCM)

is obviously richer and more detailed than AV+ in DSD 64, no upsampling to DSD 128 available.

AV+ sounded thinner/blander/leaner.

Both MC21 and AV+ say conversion to DSD 128 is only possible with 

PCM conversion first.

Not so with HQ.

 

I won't argue with you about Tech Specs.

I know what sounds good,

and I'm getting it!

[jimdukey]

"For now, for me, all is still perfectly working even with Sierra and Direct Mode enabled."

 

Did you replace the kext File, or has Direct Mode not given you 

the Error Message?

 

Direct Mode for me in Sierra is disabled, and I haven't yet tried to replace the kext File from El Capitan.

[jimdukey]

The Terminal is in the Applications/Utilities Folder

[jimdukey]

OK!

[jimdukey]

"and of course didn't try upsampling to DSD because it seemed meaningless."

Interesting.

It's My Favorite thing to do!

[jimdukey]

What about a Solid State Drive with EC installed to boot up ElCapitan, just for AV+?

Does the Newest AV+ run on EC?

There would be another cable involved too.

I'm now on Sierra, maybe do that instead of the procedure Run Some Slow has suggested?

That will have to be done every OS update.

 

[jimdukey]

Hi, I use Sierra for Finale, HQ Player, and Korg Audiogate.

AV+ 3 System Requirements said that Yosemite, 10.10 was preferred for sound quality, tho it will work on earlier versions.

So I'm thinking to get EC on my Samsung SSD, which already has 10.9, which I used before upgrading Finale and getting Sierra.

There's a good Computer Repair Shop I've gone to that installed OS 10.9, they can install EC on it after deleting what's already there.

I honestly didn't really understand the Run Home Slow method, tho I'm sure it works in the right hands...

Comments welcome!

[jimdukey]

I emailed Damien about using an SSD w/El Capitan, just for AV+3, and here is his ( very fast ) response:

 

Hi,

Yes, this will work for sure.

 

Best regards,

Damien Plisson

 

My response- WOW! Thanks!

 

[jimdukey]

First of all, I've had Sierra for some while, I didn't rush into anything.

Some software that I use regularly, a lot more  than Audirvana, moved  on, so I did too.

I can use El Capitan for Audirvana with the SSD, so I will.

I'm glad you have to Computer-Smarts to move things around like that.

I don't, and have no intention off fucking things up by screwing around with it.

And I don't have a Mac dedicated to Computer Audio, I use Finale, Sony HAP, Korg Audio Gate and HQ Player in Sierra, and they have NO problems.

Lighten up, I solved my problem with AV+, and Damien agreed that it's a good solution.

And as far as older OS's,  at least Yosemite is recommended for AV+3, Mavericks isn't.

So I'll get EC on the Samsung SSD, and have everything I need , computer-wise.

Flame Away...

 

[jimdukey]

Are these settings just for Windows?

I have AV+ 2/Mac, and have never seen them in Prefs.

[jimdukey]

Ah, Duh....

So it's AV+ 3 that has those settings, I saw the screen shot.

 

[jimdukey]

I didn't like the suggestion that I rushed into the latest and greatest.

If it doesn't work on a current OS, then sooner or later one will be left in the dust.

I have no problems on Sierra with any software I use. Quite the opposite.

If AV+ 3 works best on Mavericks, not EC, and obviously not Sierra, I don't want to not have Direct Mode, I will probably skip it, too many variables from all I've read here.

HQ does everything I need, no error messages, no it'll play this but it won't play that, or anything else.

On the other hand Damien said EC on an SSD will definitely work, and Direct Mode will work.

That seems like my best solution.

Do others think Mavericks is the way to go?

I need to be confident I'm getting the most out of AV+3.

Maybe your computer freezes w/ Sierra because Direct Mode is checked.

As I said, a lot of variables here.

 

 

[jimdukey]

Arrow?

I don't understand.

My AV+ 2 does not have those settings.

[jimdukey]

Here are the settings I have for AV+2.

They don't have all the choices I saw in AV+3, steepness, etc.

Or, what am I missing?

I upsample everything to DSD 128.