Snow Leopard, Lion, playback software and integer mode support

jrebman · « **on:** 16 Dec 2011, 08:04 pm »

Just wondering if anybody has a definitive answer on this whole subject. Seems there is a lot of conflicting or otherwise incomplete information out there on which OSs and playback software support integer playback mode.

First question is, does integer mode only work with USB ports, or can itw work with the optical out on a mac mini as well?

Secondly, assuming Snow Leopard, which playback software actually supports integer mode playback? As far as I've been able to tell, only PureMusic and Audirvana do this, but maybe Decibel as well? What about the newest Amarra?

And thirdly, is there any integer mode support with any of these programs under Lion? My working assumption here is no as apparently Apple removed the integer mode support from their usb drivers that shipped with Lion -- a) is this true, and b) is there a workaround?

I'm trying to decide which of my machines to keep with Snow Leopard (the Mach2 mini in the listening room will stay snow leopard as it is a dedicated music player, but after recently updating my iTouch and iPad2 to IOS5.01, I'd like to start using the cloud but want to know what compromises around integer mode support this is going to introduce. BTW, both Minis and my MBP are all 2010 models, and the second mini (not in the listening room) andthe MBP are the ones I'm most concerned about -- the mini to be used as both a general purpose machine and for music playback, so not necessarily SOTA, but I obviously want it as good as it can get at music playback. Not sure what the dac or interface will be yet.

And I haven't tried Amarra yet as I don't know how well it works with VoiceOver, but I would like to know if integer modeis now supported in it.

Thanks,

Jim

planet10 · « **Reply #1 on:** 17 Dec 2011, 12:53 am »

Quote from: jrebman on 16 Dec 2011, 08:04 pm

And thirdly, is there any integer mode support with any of these programs under Lion? My working assumption here is no as apparently Apple removed the integer mode support from their usb drivers that shipped with Lion -- a) is this true, and b) is there a workaround?

I'd be interested to know, that this is where integer support was removed, whether it still exists on the Firewire (Thunderbolt) bus?

dave

alan m. kafton · « **Reply #2 on:** 17 Dec 2011, 07:07 am »

Jim....you might ask Mercman these questions over on Audio Asylum's PC forum. He's done a great deal of beta testing of all the various playback software and definitely has expertise with Snow Leopard, Lion, and integer playback.

jrebman · « **Reply #3 on:** 17 Dec 2011, 08:19 pm »

Hi Alan,

Ok, I'll give that a try -- didn't think I'd stump the AC digit heads (one of which I am myself

), but it looks like I did.

I looked for you at RMAF this year but did not run into you -- maybe next year.

Hope you're well,

Jim

Crimson · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 Dec 2011, 08:47 pm »

Integer Mode is not a function or feature of any particular interface (USB, Firewire, etc.). It is not currently supported in OSX Lion.

jrebman · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 Dec 2011, 09:29 pm »

Joe,

Thanks, that pretty tells me most of what I need to know. Now just have to figure out if Amarrasupports integer mode under SL. I see nothing on their site that directly states this and since the previous version did not have any integer mode support, it would be something that was added with the newest version. But it certainly isn't working under Lion for anybody.

Thanks much,

Jim

Crimson · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 Dec 2011, 10:02 pm »

I forgot to mention that not all dacs support integer mode.

jrebman · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Dec 2011, 10:13 pm »

That, I already know but it looks like all my dacs are supported -- according to the list on CA -- which is starting to look a bit dated, but maybe not.

Gracias,

Jim