How to get digital signal from Eversolo DMP-A8 into Mac Mini M1?

[ChrisUpNorth]

Have you not tried Qobuz Connect and Spotify Connect from iOS devices directly to the Qobuz and Spotify apps installed in the Mac mini M1?

No, I am aware I could do this but I don't want to because (a) I want to offload apps/reduce processing power from the Mac M1 which only has 8GB memory, and (b) utilise the DMP-A8 which has a nice screen showing what's playing. The key here is to reduce latency because the SW42DA is sending the HDMI video signal back to the TV at exactly the same time as it is sending the audio signal on its journey via Dante to the Mac. As things are at the moment, the lip syncing is spot-on but I fear I may compromise this if I start adding extra apps into the system. I already have Roon Server on the Mac by the way. Plus, I have a DMP-A8 sat there doing nothing at the moment and I want to put it to use.

Are you using the iTunes Remote app on an iOS device at all for any music stored in the Apple Music app on the mini?

No I am just using AppleTV to playback the Dolby Atmos audio at the moment, as well as streaming movies. I use Roon for all my other (stereo) audio.

Using Airplay to the Mac from an iOS device running various music service apps is easy enough but will not give you the display for all to see as will be done by using the Eversolo. But, if Roon is running and in Exclusive Mode, audio may be output from the Mac mini speaker and not the output device if it is output at all using Airplay.

I don't want to AirPlay directly to the Mac (I know I could do this, but I suspect the Mac might start getting muddled up). I will AirPlay to the DMP-A8 instead and use Rogue Amoeba's Loopback software to route the audio from the S/PDIF-->USB interface to the Dirac Virtual Soundcard. The DMP-A8 can take on all the frontend audio duties it was designed for except I don't need its built-in DAC. I only wish I had the T8 instead so I could have used the digital AES/XLR interface instead of the S/PDIF!

 

[Tre2023]

Yes, that is a nice piece of equipment to have in the loop rather than not use it at all.

 

[Hear Here]

Why confuse things with the Mac? Can't you simply link the Eversolo to the headphone amp and ditch the Mac using one of the 3 digital options - USB, coax or optical? General purpose computers are best kept out of hi-fi systems unless used solely for wireless control putrposes. Perhaps you could keep the signal protected by linking the 2 boxes. Maybe I've missed something, but I've never needed a PC of any type in my streaming system.

 

[ChrisUpNorth]

Why confuse things with the Mac? Can't you simply link the Eversolo to the headphone amp and ditch the Mac using one of the 3 digital options - USB, coax or optical? General purpose computers are best kept out of hi-fi systems unless used solely for wireless control putrposes. Perhaps you could keep the signal protected by linking the 2 boxes. Maybe I've missed something, but I've never needed a PC of any type in my streaming system.

I'm not using a headphone amp.

The Mac is running Dirac Live Room Correction (absolutely necessary in my weird room) and I need to supply the Hapi Mk3 with a digital signal after the room correction has been applied. Better to do this on a Mac rather than having a separate AVR with room correction built-in and then separate room correction for audio. The Mac is doing a stellar job in both the hifi and home-cinema chain.

 

[Hear Here]

Sorry - I looked up the Hapi Mk III but found only this - https://www.ravenna-network.com/product/hapi-mk-iii/ - which doesn't actually say what it is in terms of a hi-fi component. But you now mention HT so perhaps I can't offer any other suggestions. Good luck.