TOPIC:

I am getting the following error trying to connect with USB via my MacBook Pro to my fairly new SHD. It is less than a month old. I have been connected to it numerous times via the same cables, laptop, and USB ports in the last few days. However, for some reason I now get the follow error message:
o Cannot Connect to System, First time retry, Second time retry, and Last time retry.
o Then, “Cannot connect to DSP, please plug in the board”

I reviewed past posts on the forum to remedy connectivity problems via a Mac, but no interventions seem to resolved it.

I have taken the following steps, actions, and after each try to connect without success. For some of these steps I tried doing a couple of the steps together and then tried to connect without success.

• Reboots of MacBook Pro
• Turning off and on the SHD via my remote and with the hard switch.
• I have tested my USB ports and cables. All work when using other peripherals. I have tried connecting with the same cables I used successfully before, brand new cables, and other old USB cables, with no success.
• Deleted my Mac drivers and the SHD app on mac and reinstallation with fresh downloads from miniDSP. My version of the SHD plug in is noted as 1.15.
• Slightly adjusted the USB connection into the back of SHD box as I tried to connect. The connection is solid and really doesn't move. Another member suggested this.
• The SHD is on and operating via SPDIF as I use it to stream and as pre-amp. It also seems to perform well with Volumio.
• I updated the Volumio app and it took an update today 4/25/21. It shows a version of 1.099 Released Apr 20. It continues to work fine.
• All other menu functions with remote seem to work properly.
• I did a “Restore All to Default” and “Refresh DSP Program” on the updated SHD app on the mac. Of course, this only resets local parameters on the MacBook Pro and nothing on the miniDSP.
• I tried resetting the SHD via the reset button on the back of the unit next to the USB connection, but it was unresponsive. I didn't see any references for the use of the hard reset button in the forums or the manual, but couldn’t get it to work myself.
• I did numerous combinations of starting SHD before and after connecting the USB cable.
• MacBook Pro is running latest updated version of Mojave 10.14.6
• File sharing is on in systems preferences on the MacBook.
• Dirac, which can’t locate the SHD is showing version 3.0.14.
• Dirac has not been running and has been quit properly.

After each step above, I tried to connect again and got the same error, "Cannot connect to DSP, please plug in the board"

However, for added measure I have shutdown all pieces of audio equipment to include my streamer, amplifiers, SHD, and my laptop and waited ten minutes and restarted, but got the same error message when trying to connect of the three retries and then “Cannot connect to DSP, please plug in the board"

Any additional suggestions for me? I would really appreciate any help or guidance you can suggest. Thank you so much for your time!

You say you’ve tested your USB ports but have you tried using a different one? I got the same message once on a windows laptop. I simply swapped to another USB port and tried connecting again and it worked.

Thanks so much for the idea. “I believe” I did tried multiple USB ports, but I am going to back and try that again.

Wonder if a USB hub could be a thing to try too?

Will advise shortly!

I made sure that I have tried both my USB ports on the MacBook Pro and neither work. Thanks for the idea.

I am still trying to located a USB hub. Most of my hubs require a USB-C that I don't have on my MacBook Pro.

The other thing I just tried, was directly connecting to the SHD via the IP Address in the plugin. Unfortunately, that doesn't work either...Wonder if that points to anything specific?

As I noted in my first post, I am able to operate Volumio via Wifi.

No compatible USB ports, so I will have to buy one and try in a few days.

My suggestion to you is to borrow someone's computer and try it out on theirs. Just to make sure your device is working in the first place.

I know that might sound ridiculous but trust me, from a guy who has been down this road before and found no solution to the problem other than a different computer. I've had the studio SHD for a year now and when I first got it I didn't have a laptop so I borrowed my parents' computer. After eventually bought a brand new HP, and I could not get it to stay connected. Tried absolutely everything from disabling USB sleep, to completely reinstalling Windows. Tried at least four different USB cords and every USB port. I can't even remember all the things I tried but I spent at least a week and multiple hours trying everything I could find on Google.

Tried it on my son's computer worked perfectly.
Like I said, works fine on my parents' computer as well.
Just bought a brand new Dell laptop last week and tried it on it....DID NOT WORK. The computer is absolutely fresh with no other additional programs installed.... And it just kept having problems connecting.

Tell you the truth, if Dirac didn't sound so good with the speakers I'm currently using, I would sell it and never look back. I know these guys have worked really hard on their devices but the reality is, you have to be very patient and have some degree of luck to hope that everything works fine. And in my books, that will always exclude this from being a good and recommended device. Best of luck..... Seriously.

I had the same problem with a 2x4HD, MacBook Pro, Mojave. I resolved it with a hardware reset, it isn't discussed in the 2x4HD manual either, but Deer Creek told me to shut the power down, press the reset switch, then power back while continuing to hold the reset switch. Then release, and for me, all was well.