MacOS Sonoma 14.0 and Apple Music Hi-Res

[Trebdp83]

So, updated my Mac mini M1 today. I can finally choose 8 ch 24-bit(192.0 kHz) for output. Joy! HDMI output is no longer locked at 24/48. But, selected output is locked for everything. I use LosslessSwitcher app to match sample rate for output.

Sadly, still no Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos in the Mac mini M1. I’ll still need to use the Apple TV 4K for proper playback of Apple Music Dolby Atmos tracks and also for movie in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

 

[Trebdp83]

I’m still playing with the Mac mini M1and Apple Music. The addition of hi-res support over HDMI is no small thing here as there is some fine print concerning ALAC on many receivers. If using NAS or a USB storage device with many receivers, ALAC support is limited to 24/96.

Some might use a USB to optical converter cable to connect a MAC to a receiver to work around the NAS and USB storage device limitations. But, many new receivers also now have coaxial and optical port limitations of 24/96.

If these limitations apply to a receiver, the update to HDMI for Mac is welcome. Otherwise, an external DAC would be needed and there’d be additional processing as the analog signal from the DAC is digitized for bass management and then back again in the receiver.

 

[Trebdp83]

F#%kin' Apple. How difficult is it to simply match sample rate for output? While I was enjoying the LosslessSwitcher app doing its thing as best it can to match sample rate of Apple Music Lossless and Hi-Res tracks, I didn't realize that ripped albums do not get matched. I rip in AIFF at 16/44.1. But, LosslessSwitcher isn't picking that up so rips are played at the sample rate last recognized from Apple Music tracks. I tried ripping in ALAC at 16/44.1. No change. Eh, whatever. It sounds good and I don't need to start chasing new dragons.

Apple finally opened up the HDMI connection to 24/192. Now, they just need to finish it off with sample rate match. True to form, they are playing catch up and acting like innovators.

 

[Trebdp83]

After tinkering with Tidal hi-res via MusicCast after reading about it in other threads, I reinstalled the Tidal app on the Mac mini M1 to see how it works with the move to hi-res FLAC streams from the mess that was MQA.

Once the app was updated and audio settings were made accordingly, hi-res worked over HDMI just fine and was NOT locked to the selected output of the Audio MIDI Setup like Apple Music and did not require a third party app such as LosslessSwitcher for sample rate and bit depth match. F#%kin’ Apple!

 

[Mikado463]

Updated my iMac to Sonoma 14.0 a couple weeks back, what a 'cluster F' ! Slower than before, should have waited for a 14.1 or later, grrrrr !

 

[Trell]

Updated my iMac to Sonoma 14.0 a couple weeks back, what a 'cluster F' ! Slower than before, should have waited for a 14.1 or later, grrrrr !

Sonoma 14.1 was released a couple of weeks ago: October 25th.

 

[Trebdp83]

Yes, 14.0 and 14.1 are… Let’s cross fingers for next update.

 

[Dukerbud88]

Yes, 14.0 and 14.1 are… Let’s cross fingers for next update.

Hi there!!

So glad I found your thread. You're the only one I have found discussing this.

I'm going to be purchasing a MacBook Pro (M3 Pro) next week. I also own an Essence HDACC Ii-4K DAC.

Does this mean with the latest Sonoma OS I can connect the Macbook Pro to my Essence DAC via HDMI and listen to Apple and/or Qobuz at 24/192 quality??

Thanks a ton in advance.

 

[Trebdp83]

That should be the case. Though, Apple’s tech specs do not go into very specific detail concerning it. Forgive me, but while I check the forums most mornings while having coffee, I’m a bit out of it as I’ve been away on summer vacation. I’ll see what is going on in my Mac with the latest developer update when I get back to it.

Those using Apple Music on a Mac connected via HDMI to a DAC need to consider a few settings as Dolby Atmos is now also supported on Apple Music over HDMI. If using a two channel DAC, make sure Dolby Atmos is OFF in Apple Music settings. If set to “Auto” or “Always On,” a lossy two channel version of the track available in Dolby Atmos will be played when Dolby Atmos decoding is not available at the receiving end and the Lossless logo will not light up.

The streaming quality in Apple Music settings must be set to max 24/192 for hi-res. The Audio MIDI Setup must be set to 24/192 for 24/192 output of hi-res tracks. This is also the case with hi-res tracks concerning Amazon Music and Qobuz with Tidal being the only one that can take full control of the audio and switch bit/rate output on its own. That was my experience the last time I used them on my Mac.

 

[Dukerbud88]

That should be the case. Though, Apple’s tech specs do not go into very specific detail concerning it. Forgive me, but while I check the forums most mornings while having coffee, I’m a bit out of it as I’ve been away on summer vacation. I’ll see what is going on in my Mac with the latest developer update when I get back to it.

Those using Apple Music on a Mac connected via HDMI to a DAC need to consider a few settings as Dolby Atmos is now also supported on Apple Music over HDMI. If using a two channel DAC, make sure Dolby Atmos is OFF in Apple Music settings. If set to “Auto” or “Always On,” a lossy two channel version of the track available in Dolby Atmos will be played when Dolby Atmos decoding is not available at the receiving end and the Lossless logo will not light up.

The streaming quality in Apple Music settings must be set to max 24/192 for hi-res. The Audio MIDI Setup must be set to 24/192 for 24/192 output of hi-res tracks. This is also the case with hi-res tracks concerning Amazon Music and Qobuz with Tidal being the only one that can take full control of the audio and switch bit/rate output on its own. That was my experience the last time I used them on my Mac.

Thanks so much for taking the time.
I guess I will experiment next week when I purchase the MBP.
I was just more curious about connecting both via HDMI and having the 24/192 option in the Audio/Midi App.
I'm positive now all should work.
It seems the newer M3 Pros also support 4k at 120Hz for TVs which is what my Essence DAC supports.
Looks like I am purchasing at a good time.
So are you basically saying the support is there but if I use Qobuz I would have to manually go into Audio/Midi on the MBP and manually change it depending on the song??...44.1, 96, 192..etc??
Take your time in responding.
Thanks again.
Exciting times.

 

[Trebdp83]

Yes, if things have not changed very recently, you would need to change things manually using Qobuz.

 

[Dukerbud88]

Thanks Again!!