Is JRiver still the best software?

@auxinput I fully agree, which is why I’ve been chasing this irritating fly in the ointment for so long. Moreover, the native file is how the artist released the material, and one would presume that’s how it was meant to be presented.

It also turns out I spoke a bit too soon about everything working correctly after my quick test. Hadn’t looked at the output data carefully enough. Turns out that while JRiver is now presenting the native frequency (44.1, 192, whatever), the bit depth is fixed at 32. This is confirmed by both the audio data window within Media Center 27 and the C50 on-board display. The data window shows the native data and the output data. The output data matches the C50 display. One example was a Linn classical piece with native 24 / 88.2 and was running at 32 / 88.2. It sounded quite a bit better than when both bitrate and frequency were upsampled, but still artificial.

I’ve posted on the Media Center support forum to see if I’ve missed setting a software switch somewhere; no replies yet. The Apple support forums aren’t especially helpful other than to say that the MIDI interface will only output at whatever bitrate and frequency combination is selected in it. I knew that already and am trying to bypass it as @sandstone suggested. This whole computer audio thing is very frustrating. All I want to do is play digital music in native format. The only device I have that will do that is my MVP-881BR. So far, it’s the hands-down winner in both convenience and sound quality.

@effischer ,

Glad that you're making progress and have experienced more of the capabilities of your excellent Mac C50!   Just a couple of questions/ suggestions:

Have you by chance downloaded and installed the software drivers and setup instructions from Mcintoshlabs.com?

Use a good USB cable (e.g. Belkin Gold) to connect  your computer to the USB port on C50. 

Then, look up
"USB Audio Windows Driver A Version 2.0 Installation and Operation Guide"

The driver install file is located right below the Guide.

Once this is installed, restart JRiver which will recognize and list it as a McIntosh-specific Asio driver option, that you should select.(Tools/Options/Audio Device).

This Centrance (third party) software is great stuff, btw. 
 

Then look up and follow

-- "McIntosh 32/192 PCM DAC, Preferred Settings to Play all File Types with JRiver Media Engine 20 using a Windows 7 or 8 Computer" --

This file is for the C52 but it steps you through what you also need for your C50.  

You should now have direct control over all the flexibility that the C50 DAC will allow.  Try selecting AUTO when given that option.

-----

As for metadata mgmt,  

Go to first principles...Try just ripping a single Flac file, store it locally on your computer, and use JRiver's Library management tools ( well documented on JRiver website) to define the file path to your file as a Library, then set that as your active library.  Save. Then it will persist when you log off.  You can then load as many other files into this path (Now a Library) as you wish. Or create and load other libraries. A Next step is to then use DLNA protocol to define any file set on your network and activate that as your Library for JRiver to manage.

Apologies if you are already beyond this level of detail.  Just let me add that Using  ASIO protocol and the USB asynchronous port is the recommended connection for your DAC, as it is with many other higher end DACs.

Hope this helps, good luck.

Sandstone

The better question is why anyone is still streaming from a computer when there are so many dedicated streamers available today? Seems ridiculous.

@effischer 

"Turns out that while JRiver is now presenting the native frequency (44.1, 192, whatever), the bit depth is fixed at 32."

You might be able change the bit depth with this sequence within JRiver:

Tools -->Options-->Device Settings-->Bitdepth

I'm running Windows 11, JRiver 28 and drivers which are specific for my DAC, but this sequence may get you to where you want to go.

For some, the better question is why anyone would pay $1-2 K for another overpriced black box, when with a basic understanding of how to optimize a computer for audio,  along with some very good software and and components, folks can and often do get the same or better results for a lot less treasure.  

But I get it.  Some would rather just spend the bucks and let somebody else do it for them.  YMMV.

I may have misread, but thought the OP asked us qn's concerning a specific task related to connecting two already owned components. - Not for advice on what new equipment to buy.