More > JRiver Media Center 26 for Linux
MC 26.0.103 (32-bit) FINALLY playing DSD multichannel files properly!
Kimota:
In this time of the Pandemic, it's nice to FINALLY be able to sit back and enjoy my multi-channel 5.1 DSD music on MediaCenter. It took a couple months, and it was worth it.
The good: I'm using a Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB) with Linux, playing back multi-channel DSD files I ripped from the SACD source disks, sending the audio over HDMI to a Marantz SR6013. The playback in Dolby Surround 5.1 sounds FANTASTIC. No pops or stutters like I was having a few months ago. Plus, the sound levels seemed to now be on par with the source disk. Prior to the latest version, the playback seemed to be 3db or more lower than the original source material. Now that seems to be fixed. My favorite disks so far (and I'm just starting my collection) are "The Nightfly" by Donald Fagen and "Hotel California" by the Eagles. "Madman Across The Water" by Elton John is also nice, although the surround mix are better on some cuts. Examples: "Levon" and "Razor Face" are excellent! But I was not as impressed with "Tiny Dancer," although it's still good.
The bad: It's not playing in native DSD due to limitations of the hardware and drivers. The playback is converted to multi-channel PCM on-the-fly. I haven't done an A/B comparison against the original SACD tracks. However, the sound quality on my mid-range set-up is good enough for my ears that I'm not going to complain.
Big KUDOS to JRiver for getting MediaCenter to this point! I'm happy, and now I'm going full-speed ahead with collecting more multi-channel SACD disks. Suggestions, anyone? And does someone want to sell me the SACD multi-channel disk of "Romantic Warrior" by Return to Forever? ;D
bob:
If you are into classical, BIS has a lot of multichannel classical SACD discs.
They are currently in the middle of a Mahler cycle by the Minnesota Orchestra. Also their Sibelius Symphonies 1 & 4 won a Grammy a few years ago.
Kimota:
--- Quote from: bob on August 18, 2020, 08:42:25 pm ---If you are into classical, BIS has a lot of multichannel classical SACD discs.
They are currently in the middle of a Mahler cycle by the Minnesota Orchestra. Also their Sibelius Symphonies 1 & 4 won a Grammy a few years ago.
--- End quote ---
Thanks for the recommendation, Bob!
Dennis in FL:
I also have a Marantz 6013, a Raspi 4 (4GB) and a boatload of ripped SACD's
Currently I'm using an iMac desktop --> Oppo DAC --> receiver (I have all music on a 6TB external hard drive)
But I'm about to rearrange the room and the Mac will be quite a distance from the Marantz.
SO I'm thinking of either using the iMac and a DLNA connection to the Marantz
or
plugging the hard drive into the Raspi and then using either the Oppo DAC with the Raspi or HDMI
or
Using the Raspi as a client of the iMac. I don't know what I gain by doing that....maybe faster conversions?
If I go the DLNA route, I won't be able to play ISO files (unless I convert---I haven't tried that yet).
Not sure if the DAC option works......
If I go multi-channel, I'd have to get my surround and center channels out of storage. Not sure I have room for them. Anyway, I listen mostly to stereo classical.
Or, I suppose, I can buy a very long USB cable
bob:
--- Quote from: Dennis in FL on August 27, 2020, 05:03:00 pm ---I also have a Marantz 6013, a Raspi 4 (4GB) and a boatload of ripped SACD's
Currently I'm using an iMac desktop --> Oppo DAC --> receiver (I have all music on a 6TB external hard drive)
But I'm about to rearrange the room and the Mac will be quite a distance from the Marantz.
SO I'm thinking of either using the iMac and a DLNA connection to the Marantz
or
plugging the hard drive into the Raspi and then using either the Oppo DAC with the Raspi or HDMI
or
Using the Raspi as a client of the iMac. I don't know what I gain by doing that....maybe faster conversions?
If I go the DLNA route, I won't be able to play ISO files (unless I convert---I haven't tried that yet).
Not sure if the DAC option works......
If I go multi-channel, I'd have to get my surround and center channels out of storage. Not sure I have room for them. Anyway, I listen mostly to stereo classical.
Or, I suppose, I can buy a very long USB cable
--- End quote ---
Lots of options.
If your Marantz can do gapless playback as a DLNA renderer using it that way with your Mac is probably the easiest option.
I have a somewhat different setup with a IdNUC with a 2tb internal drive which so far handles all of my music. It's directly connected to my amp both via HDMI and optical, both work. Optical can't do over 2 channels without dolby encoding.
I play from the IdNUC to multiple IdPi's in various rooms as renderers.
For the SACD iso material I set the conversion options in MC's DLNA server to only convert sacd's to 24 bit headerless PCM which the MC on the Id's can handle. Other DLNA renderers usually can't handle that format. You may need to use 24 bit wave or if they can't handle that 16 bit headerless PCM
Of course you should always have a backup of your music! I pull one from my IdNUC using samba whenever I add something.
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