Too Much Reboot

[SteveChicago]

I love the convenience and sound of computer-based audio. One annoyance, however, is that my system often requires a reboot to play in between listening sessions and, sometimes, if I stop iTunes for a while and return later clicking "play" does not take. The same has occurred at times with Decibel.

 

Has anyone experienced this and, if so, is there a solution / work-around?

 

Thanks,

 

Steve

 

[audioengr]

It is probably the driver with your device. Try closing iTunes and reopening it each time.

 

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

I can usually let my Macs run for months without rebooting. What digital interface are you using to connect to your DAC?

 

[wgscott]

The only time you should have to reboot OS X is when forced to by software updates (and then only with stuff that has kernel extensions or OS X updates). If you are having to do it more frequently, it suggests something is misbehaving. Memory leaks might be responsible. It is good to keep an eye on software that makes a lot of demands on memory.

 

[SteveChicago]

@ Steve N. Closing iTunes each time does not correct the problem.

 

@ Chris C. currently, I'm using a Profire 610 firewire interface (M Audio)

 

@ wgscott I do not believe it's a memory issue because my Mini is used only for audio playback and Internet access when and as needed for updates, artwork, etc.

 

Steve

 

[SteveChicago]

I may have solved this issue. When music stops the interface LED flashes looking for a signal from the computer. Rather than rebooting I simply turned the interface off and on again, and iTunes then played normally. I continue to check this, but I have a feeling this is what's been going on.

 

[wgscott]

If you want to keep an eye on memory use, CPU, disk i/o and so forth, there is a very nice, free, very low overhead menu bar applet called Menu Meters that I highly recommend. I install it on all my computers:

 

http://www.ragingmenace.com/software/menumeters/

 

Here is how mine looks:

 

[SteveChicago]

Looks like a nice feature. In the meantime, so far so good as far as my "solution." As long as I remember to turn off the interface after listening and turn it back on before commencing a new session all seems okay.