mike1127

Q: any sound preferences that can be reset?

I'm having trouble with a USB peripheral called a D/A convertor or DAC and I think it might be a problem in El Capitan and that I need to reset some preferences or something like that.

 

This is a high-quality sound source (audiophiles like this because it sounds better than the built-in sound).

 

So my Mac just stopped recognizing it. It worked before, but now when I plug it in, it just doesn't show at all in the list of sound sources. I verified it works with other computers. The cable, power supply etc. all work with other computers. I eliminated every variable.

 

I checked if there was a plist with the name "com.ifi" (the manufacturer is iFi) but nothing. I am hoping there is some setting I can reset.

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Sep 5, 2016 4:29 PM

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Q: any sound preferences that can be reset?

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  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Sep 5, 2016 4:37 PM in response to mike1127
    Level 10 (270,190 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 5, 2016 4:37 PM in response to mike1127

    Did you look in Sound preferences panel? Did you contact the developer?

  • by mike1127,

    mike1127 mike1127 Sep 5, 2016 4:39 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 5, 2016 4:39 PM in response to Kappy

    Of course I looking in the Sound System Preferences panel, but the DAC is just not listed. There are no settings available. The manufacturer may or may not get back to me, and they probably aren't experts in OS X, so I need to be proactive in exploring options.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Sep 5, 2016 4:44 PM in response to mike1127
    Level 10 (270,190 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 5, 2016 4:44 PM in response to mike1127

    What happens if you simply restart the computer? If the developers are not experts with OS X, then they shouldn't be making peripherals for Mac. That said, if the device conforms to normal USB standards, then it should work on any contemporary Mac.

  • by mike1127,

    mike1127 mike1127 Sep 5, 2016 4:58 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 5, 2016 4:58 PM in response to Kappy

    I tried restarting the computer, but no help. Next I might try restarting it with no other peripherals attached except the DAC.

     

    I don't think you understand the situation. As a USB DAC it needs to conform to a certain standard, not only USB, but a type of sound interface. When it conforms to this standard, it will work as a sound interface on OS X, Linux, and Windows. The designers don't need to be an expert on anything else.

     

    Also, who knows who they have assigned to the tech support email? Do you seriously think they are picking their most knowledgeable *developers* to staff the tech support email?

     

    Anyway, I HAVE dispatched an email to their support line (haven't heard back yet), but I need to be proactive in exploring reasons OS X would stop recognizing a device. This is not an uncommon situation with certain devices on Mac. I have found related questions in the forums, but nothing that has helped.

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Sep 5, 2016 5:52 PM in response to mike1127
    Level 9 (60,677 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 5, 2016 5:52 PM in response to mike1127

    did you run "Audio MIDI setup.app" from the /Applications/Utilities folder?