Mac OS 10.11 (El Capitan) hardware issue vs OS

[aroide]

Please add me to the new free FW list.

 I have had issues with newer USB3 macs (there is a thread from some months ago) and eventually gave up and hooked up an older USB2 mac to drive the DAC.  I did upgrade to El Cap without checking forums for issues (when will I ever learn) and that killed my DAC connection like others have mentioned.  I downgraded (painfully) and am back running.  But I'd love to be able to get the newer speedy mac in my listening room.

Tony Roide

[Doc B.]

We have just received a DAC from someone and will be installing and testing the new firmware. We will have a better handle on this once that is done and will hopefully be ready to share our findings soon. So I will ask that everyone bear with us a little longer while we work this next step.

[Johnnycopy]

We are working with updated firmware that should resolve at least some of the issues the couple of users with newer Macs have experienced. We have reflashed one user's DAC but unfortunately we have not heard back from them about whether it resolved their particular issue. We are also trying to get back the new Mac that Josh loaned out so that we have one on hand to do further testing with.

This product was a new gig for everyone involved and we have learned now that it seems to be quite a challenge to keep up with companies like Apple and Lenovo who change hardware and OSs every quarter. I think there might be one or two more users who have had this issue. I would like to reflash some more DACs that have not liked newer Macs, and thus if anyone is experiencing that particular issue please contact us so we can arrange to get your DAC in for a free firmware upgrade.

Problem i was having related to the dac not recognizing bit rate changes.

The reflash has solved that problem.

Thanks Doc.

[davelang]

So what is going on with the refresh issue?  I own a Bottlehead DAC and it is unusable with El Capitan.  Will this refresh be a user doable upgrade or will the unit have to be sent back.  Lets get some answers.  This a really bad for a otherwise great product.

[fullheadofnothing]

What about the solutions already proven in this thread: TOSLINK, using a hub, and rolling back the OS? Have all of these options failed for you Dave?

Furthermore, can you please provide hardware and software specifics?

[fullheadofnothing]

The 10.11.1 update supposedly addressed some USB and audio issues. Can anyone confirm/deny?

[aroide]

I just tried audirvana plus on my macbook pro running 10.11.1 and it disconnects with the BH DAC just as it did with other el cap versions.  So definitely not upgrading yet.   My other xmos 2 DACs are all fine.  Waiting for a DAC FW update before switching my listening room mac to El Cap.  Mavericks AND an older usb2 mac seem to work.  Newer macs (Haswell or later) don't work at all even with Mavericks.

[Bryce]

Sorry for the update after having the BHDAC reflashed at BH. I've been offline for a while.  Overall, the DAC seems to work fine after the reprogramming. The USB interface no longer drops the DAC as soon as a signal is sent without any additional USB hub. It works in Amarra without any glitches switching bitrates too.  It looks like the basic problem I was having with the DAC is solved.   I'm still curious why it happened in the first place.

[rburrows]

That's great news, Bryce! Does this mean the new firmware is ready for everyone else, or is there still work being done at HQ?

[debk]

My mac updates to 10.11 and now the DAC does not work with the MAC.

What do I need to do to get the DAC flashed so it will work with OS X10.11

Debra

[fullheadofnothing]

What about the solutions already proven in this thread: TOSLINK, using a hub, and rolling back the OS? Have all of these options failed for you Dave Debra?

[debk]

i am going to get a USB hub after clinic today and will try it this evening.  I really don't want to roll back the OS.  I haven't tried using the optical out either

Debra

[Bryce]

Well, after taking a long time away from the boards I have an update for those mac users out there...

Same mac setup as posted originally, but with the OS v10.13.3 (17D46a) High Sierra BetaOS.  It seems to work fine without dropping the DAC in USB, but the best/smoothest setup that works is the S/P Dif interface through a schitt converter (EITR).  No problems and I can't honestly tell a difference between interfaces- TOS, USB, or S/P.  I think the MIDI interface software by Apple deserves a workover, but I just test and play with this stuff.   Whatever power management that Apple OS went through seems to be worked out without doing anything on my part but waiting...  Using Amarra Luxe as well.