Audirvana invert polarity question

[davm]

Hi.

I have just begun dabbling with computer based audio and have encounterd something strange with Audirvana that I don't really understand.

I am using a recent Mac Mini, but it didn't come with the latest version of Mac X. It is running 10.7.5. I have connected the Mac to my Electrocompaniet ECD-1 DAC dierctly by optical cable from the headphone socket. The ECD-1 has a maximum input format of 24-96, but then upsamples to 24-192.

I have downloaded a trial version of Aurdivana and am currently running version 1.3.5. I am using it to play FLAC files of varying resolution. The low level playback options have "Exclusive access mode" and "Integer mode" checked. I am not using any iTunes integration and I am not using volume control in Audirvana.

I have noticed that when I play FLAC files of CDs that I have ripped, they sound flat and distant. Not nearly as good as playing the original CD through my DAC. This strikes me as very odd.

Further, if I play the same FLAC files through VLC, they sound similar to the CD and very unlike playing the file through Audirvana.

I can get Audirvana to sound OK, but I have to check the "Invert globally" checkbox under the Audio Signal Polarity preference.

I have also noticed that in the display, Audivana shows the FLAC file as 16/44.1 kHz but the DAC as 24/44.1 kHz.

I must admit I don't really understand why changing this setting is having such a big effect on the sound, particularly when VLC can play the same file and sound like the CD.

Very interested to hear what others think is going on.

Regards, David.

[aechmea]

Hi David,

I don't do computer audio, and I don't have experience with your hardware or software, however I understand that there is a 'problem' with 'integer mode' in OSX versions 10.7+ I believe that it was removed or disabled or something which means that it is uncertain what Audirvana using integer mode and OSX not using integer mode will end up doing. Switch integer mode off and see what happens.

[Demondes]

Firstly I would grab the audirvana beta 1.3.9.9 from here and test that

http://audirvana.com/?page_id=216

And play around with the settings

Edited October 13, 2012 by Demondes

[nodice]

I am surprised with your findings, out of the box audirvana was all over vlc for myself without dabbling in the settings. Please keep us updated if some settings seem to work for you. I can share mine if you like...

[davm]

Thanks for the resposnes...

I have grabbed the 1.3.9.9 beta and am testing.

I am happy with Auridivana, I am just suprised that I am hearing a difference inverting polarity with the 16/44.1 files.

Regards, David.

[kdoot]

That sure is a puzzle. I can't think of any possible explanation. But there's nothing wrong with inverting polarity, if that sounds good to you.

Re integer mode, on 10.7 and 10.8 that checkbox just has no effect in the current "stable" releases of Audirvana. In the new Audirvana betas the developer has re-implemented integer mode within the app rather than asking the OS to do it, but beware it's not 100% stable and could cause some system freezes.