Step 1: Apple Music Settings

Open Apple Music → Settings → Playback:

Audio Quality: Set to "Lossless" or "Hi-Res Lossless"
Download Quality: Match your streaming setting
Sound Enhancer: Off (adds processing)
Sound Check: Off (adds gain normalization)

Step 2: System Sound Settings

Open System Settings → Sound:

Output: Select your DAC
Alert volume: Mute or minimize (to avoid system sounds during music)

Step 3: Audio MIDI Setup

This is the most important and most overlooked setting. Open Applications → Utilities → Audio MIDI Setup:

Select your DAC in the left sidebar
Set Format to the highest sample rate your DAC supports
Ensure bit depth is set to the maximum (usually 24-bit or 32-bit)

Important: This sample rate becomes fixed for all audio. A 44.1kHz track on a 192kHz setting will be upsampled. A 192kHz track on a 44.1kHz setting will be downsampled. Neither is bit-perfect.

Step 4: DAC Configuration

Check your DAC's manual for optimal settings:

Some DACs have USB filter settings (OS-specific modes)
Some DACs have buffer/latency settings
Ensure your DAC firmware is up to date
Use a quality USB cable (short, well-shielded)

Step 5: The Sample Rate Problem

Here's the issue with the setup above: your music library contains tracks at multiple sample rates (44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz). macOS can only output one rate at a time.

Options:

Set to highest rate: Everything upsampled, never true bit-perfect
Set to 44.1kHz: Hi-Res content downsampled
Manual switching: Change Audio MIDI Setup for each track
Automatic switching: Use software to match rates

Complete Your Audiophile Setup

BeatPerfect automatically handles sample rate switching for Apple Music. Your DAC receives the track's native format — no resampling, no manual configuration. It's the missing piece of the Mac audiophile setup.

Complete Your Setup with BeatPerfect

Recommended DACs for Mac

Any USB DAC that macOS recognizes as a USB Audio Class device will work. Popular choices include:

Budget: FiiO E10K, Schiit Modi, Topping E30
Mid-range: Schiit Modius, Topping D50s, SMSL SU-9
High-end: RME ADI-2, Chord Qutest, dCS Bartók

The key is that your DAC displays the incoming sample rate — this lets you verify bit-perfect playback.

Verification Checklist

✓ Apple Music shows "Lossless" or "Hi-Res Lossless" badge
✓ System sound output is set to your DAC
✓ DAC display shows varying sample rates for different tracks
✓ No "Sound Enhancer" or "EQ" enabled in Apple Music

Mac Audiophile Setup Guide