Revision 1.2 - September 23, 2015
Introduction
JRiver Media Center is a popular audio playback application for Windows and Mac computers that supports multiple audio file formats, up to and including Direct-Stream Digital (DSD).
In order to use Media Center with the Geek Out digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to play music on Windows and Mac computers, it must be configured to send the appropriate signal data.
This document provides the steps necessary to install Media Center in Windows 7 and Mac OS X Mavericks, configure the Geek Out as the output device, and configure DSD playback.
This document assumes the Light Harmonic Audio Driver has been installed in Windows (no driver is required for Mac OS X) prior to this installation, and the Geek Out output device is connected and powered on.
If the Light Harmonic Audio Driver has not been installed, the installation file can be found on the LH Labs support page at:
http://www.lhlabs.com/support.html
The Light Harmonic Audio Driver Setup Guide can be found in the LH Audio Driver category here:
http://support.lhlabs.com/solution/categories
Getting Started
In order to install Media Center, the installation program must be downloaded from the JRiver support page. In a web browser go to:
http://www.jriver.com/download.html
Download and save the Windows or Mac JRiver Media Center installer package to match the computer system being used. Save the Windows installer to the Desktop, the Mac version will be saved in Downloads.
Installation and Configuration – Windows 7
Find the MediaCenter200047 setup file on the Desktop and double-click it to begin the install.
A Security Warning such as the following may appear. If so, click Run to continue.
The setup package will extract while displaying the progress.
If the following User Account Control dialog box is displayed, click Yes to continue with the install.
The Media Center Install Wizard will be displayed, along with the License Agreement. Click Accept to accept the License Agreement and continue on to the next step.
The Setup Type dialog will appear. The Express setup will install the most common set of program features. The Custom setup will allow for features to be selected/deselected per preference. Select the appropriate Setup Type and click Next.
The Install Wizard will install dependent system files and plugins.
The following Windows Security dialog asking to install the JRiver Sound, video and game controllers driver will appear. Click Install to continue the installation.
The File Associations dialog will appear. Scroll through the list of files and select/deselect the appropriate associations for the types of files to be used. Click Next to complete the install.
Once all components are installed, Media Center will open for the first time.
In order for Media Center to play music through the Geek Out, it must have the proper output device configured.
Go to Tools, then Options to access the Options panel.
In the Audio tab, select the drop-down under Audio Device in the right pane, and select LH Labs Geek Out [WASAPI] or Light Harmonic [ASIO] depending on your preference.
Next, select Device Settings… under Audio Device in the right pane. In the Device section, ensure all options are checked (if connecting Geek Out to an external amplifier). In the Bitdepth drop-down select 24-bit integer. In the Buffering drop-down leave the default 100 milliseconds (recommended) selected. Click OK to return to the Options panel.
NOTE: If using headphones directly plugged into the Geek Out, do NOT check "Maximize device volume during playback" as this will set the volume to maximum automatically.
In the Audio tab, select the drop-down for Bitstreaming under Settings in the right pane, and select Custom…
In the Bitstreaming Formats dialog check the DSD option and click OK to return to the Options panel.
Click OK to save the Options changes and return to the player. Make sure to test playback of all audio formats that will be used.
Installation and Configuration – Mac OS X Mavericks
Find the MediaCenter200040.dmg setup file in the Downloads folder and double-click it to begin the install.
The Media Center Install Wizard will be displayed, along with the License Agreement. Click Agree to accept the License Agreement and continue on to the next step.
A Media Center window will open displaying 2 icons. Click and hold the Media Center icon and drag it to the Applications folder icon to copy the program.
Once the file copy is complete, close the Media Center window, and go to the Applications folder in the Dock to launch Media Center.
The following is the default layout for the Media Center player.
In order for Media Center to play music through the Geek Out, it must have the proper output device configured.
Go to Tools, then Options to access the Options panel.
In the Audio tab, select the drop-down under Audio Device in the right pane, and select Geek Out HD Audio 1V5 [Core Audio].
Next, select Device Settings… under Audio Device in the right pane. In the Device section, ensure both options are checked. In the Buffering drop-downs leave the default 100 milliseconds (recommended) and Hardware default (recommended) selected. Click OK to return to the Options panel.
In the Audio tab, select the drop-down for Bitstreaming under Settings in the right pane, and select Custom…
In the Bitstreaming Formats dialog check the DSD option and click OK to return to the Options panel.
Click OK to save the Options changes and return to the player.
With Media Center playback configured, go to the OS X System Preferences (Apple menu at top left), then Sound to ensure the Geek Out is set as the default Output.
Once the Output device is confirmed, go back to Media Center and test playback of all audio formats that will be used.
Support
If there are any issues completing any of the steps in this document, understanding any of the concepts, or with audio playback, please open a support ticket through the LH Labs support page at: