DAC V1 volume control set up issue

You may want to move this to Hi-Fi Corner for the appropriate visibility.

From the message your DAC-V1 displays, you are clearly not getting bit-perfect playback from your MAC.  I am not a MAC user, but on PC, Kodi is not a bit-perfect player.  It may be the same for MAC. 

Hi Ivo B,

A great system and Aduioqust is a fab cable.

Just wondering whether you followed Naim's OS X set up guide (in particular, the 44Khz, 2 channel 24 bit Midi setting)  https://www.naimaudio.com/product/dac-v1

Also in System Preferences - Sound- is the V1 selected as the Output Device?

I don't use PC volume as it makes volume control difficul.  I would change the setting to let your NAC control the volume if using the V1 fixed output mode or in 'pre' mode.

The 'volume locked' message is normal in fixed output mode (as you are bypassing the pre amp in the V1 in this mode).

For the bitperfect tests, did you start to play the test files from iTunes before had the 'no tst audio found message'? 

Hope this helps

Jude 

Thank you! 

I will try this weekend with BitPerfect player or something else and will report back

Hi Jude, 

i was following the latest DAC V1 manual downloaded from Naim. Maybe I have misunderstood something - following blindly the manual. But I did what you have asked. 

And yes, I prefer my Nac to be in charge. So I have to unmark the  PC Volume haven't I? But than again how to set up the volume properly in audio preferences? 

Regarding the test - I think I started iTunes to play files first. In the manual is described the procedure with iTunes. From Naim support I have received another suggestion. Maybe Naim could have write a little bit clearer instructions for people like me - I'm just an user of the computer with basic skills. 

Thank you for the advices! 

BR, 

Ivo

Hi Ivo,

Yes. to allow the NAC to control the volume, uncheck PC volume on the V1.  Also, set the Mac's Sound settings and iTunes to maximum. Make sure that on the Mac's System Preferences, the system sound effects are set to go to 'Internal Speakers' so that these sounds don't come through to the V1.

I normally start the V1 looking for the bitperfect test files and very quickly play the files from iTunes.

Are you connecting to the NAC via RCA or DIN?

Jude 

The DAC / Nac cable is RCA to DIN. 

Feedback when you have tried set up again 

Hi again, 

Here is the feedback. I have downloaded Audirvana Plus. I made the bitperfect test without problem. But I still can't operate with the volume - it's locked. I have tried PC Volume checked and unchecked - no difference.  

DAC V1 setup: Fixed Output and PC Volume checked 

Mac Mini system preferencies - Sound: output device DAC V1 and bellow there is a message "the selected device has no output controls". In Audio Mini Setup the DAC V1 is set. The volume bellow - Master. 

Any advice hot to unlock the volume control? 

Ivo

Ivo, I have Audirvana, MacBook Air, V1 and 252.

Let me check settings and come back in a few minutes.

OK. Thank you!

Ivo,

Audirvana:

Audio system: Naim Dac V1, Native DSD Capability: DSD over PCM st 1.0, Exclusive access mode (checked), Direct Mode (checked), Integer Mode (checked) and mode 1 selected, Maximum memory ... 2,048, leave at least 2,000 mb for os, max sample rate: no limit, spl rate... :none

Audio Filters: converter IZotope 64-bit SRC, Forced upsample: none

Audio Volume: Dac only

Audio Units: nothing selected

Sys Optimizer: All Checked, AV priority: Extreme

V1: Settings, Preamp Out: fixed output, USB Volume: PC Volume (Unchecked)

On my Mac Mini, the System Preferences for Sound also says that same.

Sometimes , the Mini 'forgets' to keep the V1 as the preferred output device. So, worth re highlighting it and close System Preferences.

To eliminate things, what happens when you change the volume on the NAC? What input is used to feed the V1 into the NAC?

May also be worth removing the NAC in the chain and connect to the V1 directly to the power amp ( if you do this you will need to switch off fixed volume on the V1)

Jude 

Set MAC to max volume, set DAC-V1 to fixed output, as you apparently have, and control the volume with the NAC 112x.  That's how it is supposed to work in your current setup.  Or, if that's not a good idea, feed the NAP 150x directly from the DAC-V1 and drop the NAC 112x, then you can control the volume via the DAC-V1.

Ivo, Audirvana will take control of the audio functions in your mac, and also will disable some functionalities. Forget about Sound settings in System Preferences. Once playing we can discuss other options.

Ivo, I have the V1 connected to the mac using USB AB, and the V1 to the NAC using a RCA/Din Hiline, into tuner input.

Let me know what you have to provide some guidance. 

Hi Erich, 

Have done exactly what you wrote with the exception of Sys Optimiser - which I checked. The system said that is needed some changes to be made. And the Mini i thinking wright now. I have unchecked the PC Volume. When start Audirvana again I will report. 

Hi Jed, 

In system preferences in the Soud window the DAC V1 is not checked as preferred audiodevice never mind that I did it several times. I use the Aux 1 (in 5) input in the Nac. I prefer to keep the Nac in the system because I have CD5i and one turntable as well. All cables are Naim. All DIN with the exception of DACV1 / Nac 112x which is RCA-DIN. 

Thank you guys for the support! Now I'm operating the Mac Mini with my MacBook Air (Screen sharing) and reading your advices on iPad Mini. It's Apple all around but the music is missing I can here barely what is playing. So I will restart the Audirvana again - I had to quit in order to make changes in Sys Optimiser, and I will report back the result. 

The volume control is back in the business Thank you!

I have the A+remote operating smoothly. Only one strange thing - the music through the DAC is with a little bit lower volume compared to the CD5i. But this might be due to the different records. 

Wish you a nice weekend! 

I hope that no other issues will appear. 

Ivo, I have Sys Optimizer all checked.

I'm now replaying exactly with what I told you with my MBA, using my MBP to interact with the forum.

Can we go step by step. First replay a file with audirvana just through headphone into the mac, then change parameters and replay again using headphones into the v1, trying to detect the broken link?

Erich, 

I have no headphones yet if we don't count the iPhone's one. I have to buy some. But now everything seems to be OK. I'm listening to some music. I can increase/decrease the volume through the Nac. 

But I have a question - to leave the Mac Mini / Audirvana running non stop or to shut it down when don't use the DAC? The Mac Mini only purpose is to be a transport. I will not use it for internet, e-mails or other applications. In this regard if you have some recommendations how to make it better for music please advice. I have to remove the mail account from the Mini but if there are other programs not related with the music performance I can restrict them too. 

Ivo

Ivo, I use a Mac Book Air almost only for music replay, when travelling I use it with email. I disabled most of the software, has ssd and most of the time I run it using batteries. In my understanding the mini is better when properly set up. 

There are recommendations in the web on how to set up a mini for music replay. Also there is a company that sells many parts to optimise the mini for music replay (coreaudiotechnology).

Ivo - I am assuming your DAC-V1 is running the latest firmware (v 1.16). If not you should upgrade it once you are at ease with your new setup! It is a significant upgrade!

Enjoy!

Hi Brilliant, 

I will make the DSD update tomorrow. Is this the v1.16? 

Ivo B posted:

Hi Brilliant, 

I will make the DSD update tomorrow. Is this the v1.16? 

Yes, it is.

Glad it's working Ivo.

For optimising the 'Mini for audio', put this phrase into Google and take a look at the Audio Circles site.

A couple of points for Sys Preferences:

- I set Display sleep to 'never' which makes screen sharing reliable as well as check 'spin down hard disks..' (Assuming it's not an SSD),

- I leave the Mini on all the time with a scheduled shut down overnight and wake in the morning, and 

- Turn-off Bluetooth and and Infra red (if possible wifi, too, although you will need to connect the Mini by an Ethernet cables if you do).

There is also a paid remote app for Audirvana, if you de de to keep Audirvana.

MochaVNC is a good app for controlling the Mini from an iPad.  

The  Mini and V1 is an amazing combo.

Glad that we were all able to help 

Jude