USB-C to Optical on M4 Mac Studio Not Staying Connected

[Bbeelzebub]

So, a couple months ago, I said adios to my 2013 27" iMac and bought an M4 Mac Studio and Studio Display. The speakers on the Studio Display are not really doing it for me when I listen to music or watch any videos online. I have an old Logitech Z-5500 (I believe) that I've had forever and it always has sounded great on any computer. I went online and bought a USB-C to Optical cable and everything is great..... until after it sleeps. The "USB 2.0 Device" disappears from the list for optical out once it awakens. The only way to get the sound back through the speakers is to unplug and replug them in.

Anybody know of a workaround for this other than disabling allowing the computer to go to sleep? Since it is the Mac Studio that is "forgetting" them, I don't think a USB hub will help. I'm at a loss.

Thanks!

 

[Fishrrman]

I don't know of any option that "sleeps" the Mac and does not also "sleep" the ports.
This is a cause of consternation for many Mac users.

What if you...
a. disable sleep
b. DO allow the screensaver to activate
???
Does that work, or does the OS still "sleep" the USB bus -- causing the optical signal to drop out...

Does the Studio Display have a physical on/off switch?
(I've heard that it doesn't).
If it has one, you could just turn it off and "let the Mac be" until you need to use it again.

I have a Mini, not a Studio, but on the Mini "the difference" in power consumption between "awake" and "sleep" is so small as to be negligible.

I will GUESS that on the Studio, the difference is greater -- but still, not all that much.

 

[StuAff]

It might- might- be the cable. I use a Hifime UT-23 for this (a Logitech Z906 attached to M1 Pro MBP in my case, usually via a hub). Sleep doesn't usually cause a problem, but every so often there is a glitch, speaker output reverting to the built-in speakers, that's sorted by unplugging the UT-23 and plugging it in again.

 

[FatLouie]

You can try this...

Accessibility
Background sounds - enable
Background sound - select rain or something soft
Background sounds volume - set to '0', or completely to the left
Turn off background sounds when your Mac is not in use - disable

You should still be able to play music via the 5500, but you won't hear the background sound.

I'm not sure if this will work for you, but give it a try.

 

[xraydoc]

I just never allow my Mac to sleep. The displays are turned off after a certain amount of time, but the Mac itself remains on and I've yet to have a connected USB device disappear. Besides, I like my Mac to be able to do things in the background like continue my email filters and such.