how set Music to external DAC whilst other sounds through computer audio?

[rb24]

Get frustrated when using Apple Music (OSX) because can't select my external DAC for it without going to sounds preference panel and routing all computer sound into the DAC. Whereas when using the Qobuz music player and streaming service can set music to play through the DAC (there's an output selector in the player itself) and have other computer noises come out of the computer.

What's the fix?

 

[satcomer]

The shareware LoopBack by Rogue Amoeba is bet best for audio routing on a Mac! For a Sound affect look at the cart software Farrago for podcasting sound effects!

 

[gigatoaster]

I understand it won’t answer your question but have heard or try Roon or Audirvana? These are great players although very expensive

 

[rb24]

Thanks folks. These are interesting suggestions and have been reading up on them. It turns out there are some darker issues was not even aware of regarding sound output from Apple Music.

a) apparently Music does not automatically update the bitrate of the output to the bitrate of the track. Unbelievably this has to be done manually in the AUDIO MIDI SETUP utility. Since nobody does this the recommended solution is to use iOS !!

DAC doesn't show the correct quality info… - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

b) Since most of the time there is going to be a mismatch between track played and the Audio Midi Setup, the Mac will upsample or downsample the data as necessary to get the manually set output. This is TOTALLY NUTS.

Am going to have to wander into some Hifi / Stereophile joint and see what they are saying. Perhaps Apple will be reviewing this in time for the launch of the Classical app derived from the Primephonic acquisition? Like seriously, I thought / assumed apple was hot on this media processing stuff.

 

[rb24]

fyi these are the options I get in Audio Midi Setup for my DAC. Trying to match the currently playing track would be a full time job. Not to mention I don't think the information is displayed in Music at all.