jus10g

Q: Mac iTunes (12.4.3.1) playback dropping out on audio Airplay

I have a frustrating problem here that has defied resolution.

I'm running OSX El Capitan (10.11.6) with iTunes 12.4.3.1.  I'm playing music from my collection over native Airplay to an Airplay-enabled Denon AVR X-4000.  Every 2-5 minutes during playback, the audio drops completely for about 2-3 seconds, although playback continues in the iTunes player.  I believe the problem is specific to something in my user profile on the Mac for the following reasons

 

  • I don't get playback skipping using Airplay from any other device to the AVR
  • I don't get playback skipping using iTunes Airplay from another account on the same iMac
  • I don't get playback skipping using Spotify or other audio apps from my user profile on the same Mac
  • iTunes playback continues to skip if I use Airplay to other Airplay enabled speakers in the house

 

I have tried deleting the iTunes plist and iTunes folder, and I have even deleted the entire application (using Terminal) and reinstalled it.  Yet I continue to have this problem.

 

Apple Support suggested I reinstall the entire El Capitan OS, which frankly seemed like overkill and likely to create other problems.  Does anyone have a suggestion about what I can try next?

iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Sep 8, 2016 2:02 PM