USB Audio device isn’t seen when turned on - Mac mini on 24/7

I agree with the fact that it is a DAC issue and that it does not

provide the proper signaling to the Mini when turning off or

when turning back on. With that the case, there is nothing

that can be done on "the Mini side" as it can only respond

with what it is told.

Having worked with some USB device development there are certain

protocols to be followed when powered down and powered up if

the device is not to be disconnected, i.e. a hardware generated

disconnect and a hardware generated reconnect. If they are not properly

followed, unplugging and replugging is the only solution.

Something like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SLVXDPG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2UNLNW9F6H9IC&psc=1 should do the trick.

I cannot get audio through my USB DAC with Big Sur.

I have a 2018 Mac mini. I use an Audio Research DAC 8 (USB). It worked beautifully with Mac OS 10.14.6. 

Sadly, after I upgraded to OS 11.1, I am now getting no sound via my DAC. The music file is playing in the music app but no audio is heard. If I switch the sound output to the computer speaker it can be heard playing. If I then switch the output back to the USB 2.0 DAC no audio is heard and the music app seems to freeze.

My DAC is seen in the list of devices for sound output in system preferences and also in the audio midi setup app. I can select it as the sound output device in both. However, even when selected, no audio is heard.

OS 11.2 has made no difference. I have tried rebooting, restarting, unplugging and changing ports, resetting the nvram and smc. Nothing has worked.

Interestingly my son's new MacBook Air (apple chip) does not have this problem. If I plug the Apple chip Air into the DAC it plays normally.

I have contacted Apple Support - they couldn't help. I have contacted Audio Research - they blamed Apple.

Praying for a fix from Apple in an update soon.....

Looks like a DAC issue. You’ll need to contact the manufacturer.

That IMO won’t happen unfortunately because as of now it’s looking like a DAC issue. Separately, real audiophile freaks shouldn’t be using minis, but that’s just my opinion 😉. Enjoy...

Well, Room supports HDMI & Airplay which are probably superior and more elegant to using DACs.

No thanks, I don’t do BT/wireless for audio anywhere. But HDMI, now that’s something I’d like to see taken down. Unlikely. Scratch that, impossible.

And I meant a receiver with HDMI inputs and built-DAC. Some really good ones out there, but most all will make a USB DAC look like a slog.