BeatPerfect

DAC Sample Rate Not Changing on Mac?

Why your DAC shows 44.1kHz for every track — and how to fix it

The Symptom

You're playing Apple Music with Lossless enabled. Your library has tracks at different sample rates — 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz, 192kHz. But your DAC display never changes. It's stuck on one number.

Why This Happens

This is how macOS works by design. Unlike Windows (with WASAPI exclusive mode), macOS doesn't automatically switch sample rates. All audio goes through Core Audio, which operates at a fixed sample rate that you set in Audio MIDI Setup.

When you play a 96kHz track on a system set to 44.1kHz:

  1. Apple Music decodes the 96kHz file
  2. Core Audio resamples it to 44.1kHz
  3. Your DAC receives 44.1kHz
  4. Your DAC displays 44.1kHz

It's Not Your DAC

Your DAC is working correctly. It's displaying exactly what it's receiving from your Mac. The problem is upstream — macOS is converting everything before it leaves the computer.

The Manual Fix

You can manually change the sample rate:

  1. Open Audio MIDI Setup (in Applications → Utilities)
  2. Select your DAC in the left sidebar
  3. Change the Format dropdown to match your track's sample rate
  4. Your DAC should now display the new rate

The problem: You need to do this for every track with a different sample rate. Play three songs at different rates, change the setting three times.

Why Changing Mid-Song Is Bad

If you change the sample rate while music is playing:

  • Audio cuts out momentarily
  • You hear a click or pop
  • The DAC needs to re-lock to the new rate
  • You lose the first fraction of a second

Sample rate switching must happen before playback starts — not during.

Automatic Sample Rate Switching

BeatPerfect learns each track's sample rate and automatically switches your DAC before the track plays. Your DAC will finally show the correct sample rate for every song — without manual intervention.

Fix Sample Rate Switching

FAQ

Why doesn't Apple fix this?

Apple's design prioritizes simplicity and compatibility over audiophile needs. Automatic sample rate switching would cause audio interruptions in other apps, which most users wouldn't accept.

Does this affect AirPods / HomePod?

AirPods and HomePod use Bluetooth and AirPlay, which have their own limitations. The sample rate issue primarily affects USB DACs where bit-perfect playback is possible.

What about exclusive mode?

macOS doesn't have a system-wide exclusive mode like Windows WASAPI. Some apps implement their own exclusive access, but Apple Music doesn't support this.