DAC doesn't recognize hi-res files

oops I meant 16/44.1
not trying to critique or question at all quality of mac,
but it's still yesterday's digital tech ant not today's
regardless of performance.
Doggie,
try to mask such as arz, snit, cwap etc...-)

Lucid and informative, Doggie, thanks.

Lucid and informative, Doggie, thanks. Does JRiver also disable the OS engine and switch to native sample rate?

Thanks, Doggie! I didn't know I could adjust the Mac MIDI output by selecting the external audio device. I'll try it that way first to check out how it sounds. Just have to remember to reset it before I unplug.

I'm a hard-core vinyl head in my off time and I use a computer for work all day, every day. Never been too keen on mixing computers with pleasure as a result. Spreadsheets, data logging, feedback control, all fine. Music, video, games, not so much. Still, the convenience factor has me looking at the PC source more seriously and since I have a good DAC in the C50, I figure it can't hurt to try it.

Thanks again!

@77jovian

Yes, JRiver for Mac also bypasses the OS's audio playback engine. So it will
adjust the sample rate according to the source file.

JRiver has the option to enable Direct/Exclusive Access to the audio device
and can also operate in Integer mode (all improvements in playing back
audio) provided you are using 10.6.8 or 10.9 - Integer mode was dropped in
10.7 and 10.8 - don't know why.

My main gripe with JRiver is that its legacy as a Windows application still
shows. It places menus/options in the weirdest of places that don't make
sense at times. That said, once you get used to it, it is extremely powerful and
flexible in what you can do.

FWIW, I have been JRiver almost exclusively these days. I really like its ability to
upsample everything to DSD2x which sounds better on my Playback Designs
MPS-5 and Teac UD-501.

I have recently upgraded my versions of Pure Music and Amarra to v2.x and
3.0 respectively so I may give them a test run soon to see if they will change
my mind.

@Effischer, you don't have to reset it before unplugging because the setting
for 192kHz or 96 or 44.1kHz etc that you change is specific to the audio
device - in this case, your DAC. So it should not interfere with the settings of
your built in audio device in the Mac.

@Czarivey
In case it wasn't clear enough the first time around,

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?
CatId=Preamplifiers&ProductId=C50

The C50 has a MODERN DAC design housed in a classic/traditional McIntosh
enclosure so it does 32bit/192kHz over USB. So try to get your facts right
before shooting stuff out of your ass. Pardon the french.

"DIGITAL USB INPUT
1 (2.0, 32/192 Asynchronous)"