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[jctcom]

Hi all.
I received my new Fiio BTR 7 yesterday.  I bought it mostly for listening from my iPhone in the car to my Aux input.

But I decided to try it as well in MC31 (Latest version).

The sound is great but DSD seems only to have fixed output options.  I have found 2 ways to get DSD to output to the device (Via USB with Fiio ASIO driver)
1. is to use the DSP Studio and force it to output as DSD.  I don't like this option as it seems to output everything as DSD and fixed to whatever option I select (DSD128 / DSD256 etc...)  I don't want to convert everything to DSD.

2. is to select "Bitstream" and set a DSD max level (I set it to DSD256 as that is what the device supports).  This is better in that at least FLAC is output as PCM and at whatever level the source is.  But it seems to output all DSD @ DSD256 even if it is DSD64 or DSD128.

Is there no way to get JRiver to output the same level as source file and dynamically change as the file changes like it does with PCM?

Thanks.

Carl

[Awesome Donkey]

Something sounds misconfigured if DSD bitstreaming is sending DSD64 as DSD256, maybe it's still set to convert via DSP Studio? Make sure DSP Studio > Output Format > Output Encoding is set to None when enabling DSD bitstreaming. Otherwise, if it's set to None and still doing it you'd likely need to post a screenshot of the audio path when playing back a DSD64 or DSD128 file and it's being played as DSD256 instead.

Is there no way to get JRiver to output the same level as source file and dynamically change as the file changes like it does with PCM?

When configured it should do exactly this when DSD bitstreaming, hence why something has to be misconfigured somewhere.

[jctcom]

Something sounds misconfigured if DSD bitstreaming is sending DSD64 as DSD256, maybe it's still set to convert via DSP Studio? Make sure DSP Studio > Output Format > Output Encoding is set to None when enabling DSD bitstreaming. Otherwise, if it's set to None and still doing it you'd likely need to post a screenshot of the audio path when playing back a DSD64 or DSD128 file and it's being played as DSD256 instead.

When configured it should do exactly this when DSD bitstreaming, hence why something has to be misconfigured somewhere.

Thanks for your reply.  It does seem to be switching now?  Not sure what happened before.  The only thing I changed is in the Fiio ASIO settings there was a setting in the buffer settings that had "Safe Mode" checked.  I will do more testing on that though.

The only other real issue I have is that I can't set bitstreaming to DSD256.  If I do and play a DSD256 file I receive an error that says "Playback could not be started on output ASIO using the format 'DoP DSD256 ... The ASIO device 'Fiio ASIO Driver' does not support the sample rate of 705600 Hz."

So is this an issue with the Fiio ASIO Driver?  Or the device itself? (Which is supposed to support DSD256  not sure about the 705600 Hz though?  Shouldn't DSD256 be 22.5Mhz?

Carl

[Awesome Donkey]

The only other real issue I have is that I can't set bitstreaming to DSD256.  If I do and play a DSD256 file I receive an error that says "Playback could not be started on output ASIO using the format 'DoP DSD256 ... The ASIO device 'Fiio ASIO Driver' does not support the sample rate of 705600 Hz."

It sounds like it's trying to use DoP. Switch it to use native DSD instead by going to MC's Options > Audio > under Audio Device make sure the ASIO audio output is the default then select Device settings... and then make sure Bitstream DSD in DoP format is unchecked. As long as it's unchecked, and ASIO is the select audio output (WASAPI only supports DSD via DoP, ASIO supports both native DSD and DoP) it *should* work, assuming the DAC/driver supports it.

[jctcom]

It sounds like it's trying to use DoP. Switch it to use native DSD instead by going to MC's Options > Audio > under Audio Device make sure the ASIO audio output is the default then select Device settings... and then make sure Bitstream DSD in DoP format is unchecked. As long as it's unchecked, and ASIO is the select audio output (WASAPI only supports DSD via DoP, ASIO supports both native DSD and DoP).

Thank you.  That was the solution!.

Now my DSD256 files play correctly.

One last question please.

I currently have the BTR7 connected via it's 3.5mm (unbalanced) to stereo RCA on my Yamaha RX-A2A (No balanced connections available).
For some reason the volume output from the BTR7 is very low.  I generally run the receive at about -20db for most of my HDMI connections.  In order to get a similar volume from the BTR7 I have to run it at about -10 to -8db.  This would be extremely loud on any of my HDMI connections.

The volume on the BTR7 itself is at it's max of 60 and the Gain setting is on "high".

It also has a 4.4mm balanced output option which is listed as being double the power of the 3.5 connector.  If I pick up a 4.4mm Balanced to L/R Stereo RCA cable do you think I might get more volume out of it so as not to push the receiver so much?  Also is there likely to be an issue with either the receiver or the BTR7 if I do this due to going from balanced to unbalanced?

I previously was using a Hidz SR9 Pro but it was quite finicky.  So far the BTR7 blows it out of the water for being much more stable.

Thanks again for all your help.

[dtc]

In principle doubling the power would double the volume. However, you have to be sure not to overload the input on the receiver.  Most receivers expect a 1 to 2 volt input on the unbalanced RC inputs. So, you have to be sure the voltage from the balanced output of the amp is not more than 2 volts.  You should probably confirm the output of the balanced output before using the balanced to unbalanced cable.  Unfortunately, there is no real standard for headphone amp output levels.

Consumer audio equipment uses the 2 volt input level for its unbalanced input, but Pro gear is usually designed to use balanced connectors and accept up to 4 volts inputs.  So, your amp is just following the conventional practice of having a higher voltage for Pro gear than for Consumer gear.

So, confirm the output voltage of the headphone amp before trying the balanced to unbalanced cable.  A too high level may not harm the Yamana, but no reason to take a chance.

[jctcom]

Hmm.

I can't find any specs that list the voltage output levels.  Probably because they are primarily designed for headphones.
These are the only power ratings I could find:
Headphone Output Power   1/8" / 3.5 mm Unbalanced: 165 mW into 16 Ohms 1/8" / 3.5 mm Unbalanced: 160 mW into 32 Ohms 1/8" / 3.5 mm Unbalanced: 18 mW into 300 Ohms 4.4 mm Balanced: 235 mW into 16 Ohms 4.4 mm Balanced: 320 mW into 32 Ohms 4.4 mm Balanced: 40 mW into 300 Ohms

I guess I should be able to start it with the volume of the BTR7 at about 50% (30 out of 60) and Gain set to low and then go from there.

Doesn't the fact that the volume from the AMP is so low indicate that the voltage is also lower than it expects?

It sounds great from the Yamaha.  Just don't feel comfortable about having to turn it up so much higher than I normally do.

Carl

[dtc]

Yes, you can try starting at a low level and with the level set to low and gradually increase the volume.  The main thing you want to watch for is clipping if the level is too high.

[jctcom]

Sounds good.  I have ordered a cable but it will take a couple of weeks to arrive (Wasn't willing to pay over $100 for a locally available one)

Will update once it comes in.

Carl

[dtc]

That was going to be my suggestion. Get a cheap one on Amazon to try. I would try someone like Monoprice rather than an unknown brand, but pretty much any of them should work.

[jctcom]

Even on Amazon it was difficult to find one for under $100 (Can). for a 1.5 - 2M one.

I ended up ordering this one: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004689266583.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.3bb51802i7sFc5

On Aliexpress.  I ordered the 2M version and it seems to have good enough ratings etc...

Hopefully it will work out.

Carl.

[dtc]

Your are right - TRS stereo balanced cables are not that easy to find. The one you found should work. One of the comments is from someone with the same device.