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Author Topic: Buffering issues on some 512 DSD files  (Read 8412 times)

blgentry

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Re: Buffering issues on some 512 DSD files
« Reply #100 on: July 17, 2023, 08:32:41 am »

Hi, I read up on the manual for this DAC I am using and it's max on USB is 96, but on SPD it's 192, but when I change everything on the settings to output 192, then play a song, it keeps reverting the settings to 96.

You seem to be discussing USB versus SPD/IF interfaces on some DAC.  The only DAC you've mentioned is the SMSL D12.  That DAC does not have SPD/IF.  Just USB and BlueTooth.  What DAC do you mean?  How are you connected to it?

Brian.
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Awesome Donkey

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Re: Buffering issues on some 512 DSD files
« Reply #101 on: July 17, 2023, 08:44:34 am »

I assume the S/PDIF port from the Mac itself? If so, that'd be using the Mac's built-in DAC for audio, and not an external DAC.
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blgentry

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Re: Buffering issues on some 512 DSD files
« Reply #102 on: July 17, 2023, 08:52:55 am »

I assume the S/PDIF port from the Mac itself? If so, that'd be using the Mac's built-in DAC for audio, and not an external DAC.

Not really.  DAC means Digital to Analog Converter.  SPD/IF is digital, not analog, so there's no DAC involved.

From an MC perspective, the device that it talks to is the Mac's SPD/IF port.  So MC would only "see" the SPD/IF device and not the DAC at the other end.  So I can see why you would say this, but it's not exactly accurate.  The DAC at the other end still does the work of D to A Conversion.

Brian.
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bob

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Re: Buffering issues on some 512 DSD files
« Reply #103 on: July 20, 2023, 11:56:14 am »

Hi, I read up on the manual for this DAC I am using and it's max on USB is 96, but on SPD it's 192, but when I change everything on the settings to output 192, then play a song, it keeps reverting the settings to 96.

If I don't play a song, I can go back to settings and it still shows 192. It's after I play that it changes everything back to 96.

Any ideas?
What's SPD?
Anyway if you turn on logging, MC will give a very detailed log of the device open and it's capabilities.
Also, if you don't want MC to automatically change  the sample rate on playback failure, you can disable that in MC's options.
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dorianm

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dorianm

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Re: Buffering issues on some 512 DSD files
« Reply #105 on: July 30, 2023, 10:27:43 am »

I would advise against getting a streamer.  Network based audio is more complex; particularly with DSD.  Stick with a normal USB DAC and things will be easier.

Brian.

Hi,

What do you think about this?
https://www.eversolo.com/Product/index/model/DMP-A6/target/7abWHw%2B%2BoHhKKmVViAFMcQ%3D%3D.html

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blgentry

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Re: Buffering issues on some 512 DSD files
« Reply #106 on: July 30, 2023, 03:37:50 pm »

What do you think about this?
https://www.eversolo.com/Product/index/model/DMP-A6/target/7abWHw%2B%2BoHhKKmVViAFMcQ%3D%3D.html

I can't really tell what your goals are.  I'm not sure what is important to you.  You seem very, very focused on DSD and especially DSD512.  I think you have already decided that you want a streamer.

You asked for my opinion, so here it is:

DSD is mostly a waste of time.  It's complicated in many ways.  For me the complexity does not pay off in terms of sound quality.  Yes, some DSD has an interesting "something" to it that sounds good.  But there are very few titles available on DSD that I'm interested in.  My musical tastes are wide ranging, but there's only a little bit of classical or modern jazz in my catalog.  I have some of each, but it's not a focus.  So DSD is mostly a curiosity for me.  FLACs are my mainstay.

Digital Streamer Boxes, like the Eversolo are their own thing.  Most of these devices seem to be designed to be used as your digital music control center.  That's not how want to control my digital audio collection.  Using DLNA devices with MC is problematic.  There are a ton of extra things you have to make sure of if you want flawless playback.  DSD is even more special with DLNA.  Gapless playback requires special features that don't always work.  DSP is done in a totally different way with streamers than with direct attached DACs.  There are more considerations beyond these.

Because of this list above, streamers seem like a waste of time and energy for me and my system.  I just want a good quality direct attached DAC that works with 96kHz and lower PCM based audio. 

My opinions and goals may or may not line up with yours.  Best of luck to you.

Brian.
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dorianm

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Re: Buffering issues on some 512 DSD files
« Reply #107 on: July 30, 2023, 04:01:30 pm »

I can't really tell what your goals are.  I'm not sure what is important to you.  You seem very, very focused on DSD and especially DSD512.  I think you have already decided that you want a streamer.

You asked for my opinion, so here it is:

DSD is mostly a waste of time.  It's complicated in many ways.  For me the complexity does not pay off in terms of sound quality.  Yes, some DSD has an interesting "something" to it that sounds good.  But there are very few titles available on DSD that I'm interested in.  My musical tastes are wide ranging, but there's only a little bit of classical or modern jazz in my catalog.  I have some of each, but it's not a focus.  So DSD is mostly a curiosity for me.  FLACs are my mainstay.

Digital Streamer Boxes, like the Eversolo are their own thing.  Most of these devices seem to be designed to be used as your digital music control center.  That's not how want to control my digital audio collection.  Using DLNA devices with MC is problematic.  There are a ton of extra things you have to make sure of if you want flawless playback.  DSD is even more special with DLNA.  Gapless playback requires special features that don't always work.  DSP is done in a totally different way with streamers than with direct attached DACs.  There are more considerations beyond these.

Because of this list above, streamers seem like a waste of time and energy for me and my system.  I just want a good quality direct attached DAC that works with 96kHz and lower PCM based audio. 

My opinions and goals may or may not line up with yours.  Best of luck to you.

Brian.

Got it, thanks for the opinion.

I really wouldn't use the streamer part, since it can handle files from a server or internal 4TB drive. It's more for the DAC and not having to worry about software, etc. This is supposed to just work. You load all the DSD files all the way to 512 and it will just play.

I do have Apple Music, so I can play their catalog for all the music I don't have. It does gapless but only on FLAC and WAV.

My music is varied, but mainly rock. I base any system on how Back in the Saddle from Aerosmith sounds.  So far, the best I've ever heard it, is from an HDTracks purchase of 24/96, and I couldn't find any Aerosmith or other top bands in DSD. So for DSD, I most play classical or jazz.

I like to keep my options open and experiement listening to different types of files and/or resolutions.  I think I would miss the interaction with the computer for the music, if I did go with the Eversolo. It's convenient, and I would just us their App, but I wouldn't be able to do many things that I can do on the computer, like see what I am playing on the big screen. Now that I am thinking about that, it really seems very limited to have the Eversolo.

I guess I have much to think about... lol

Thanks!!
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bob

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Re: Buffering issues on some 512 DSD files
« Reply #108 on: July 31, 2023, 09:12:57 am »

I have an iFi Nano iDSD connected to my Mac USB and I like it a lot.
The actual hi-res material I have, mastered Classical music from BIS originally at 96k 24bit PCM before being converted to DSD for SACD distribution to ME sounds better than the 2 track 44.1k 16 bit PCM on the same disc.
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dorianm

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Re: Buffering issues on some 512 DSD files
« Reply #109 on: July 31, 2023, 09:40:11 am »

I have an iFi Nano iDSD connected to my Mac USB and I like it a lot.
The actuall hi-res material I have, mastered Classical music from BIS originally at 96k 24bit PCM before being converted to DSD for SACD distribution to ME sounds better than the 2 track 44.1k 16 bit PCM on the same disc.

Yeah, 44.1k/16 sounds thin to me. I'll probably end up with the Eversolo and a Mac running Linux. That way I get the best of both worlds. But that's a few months away, so, we'll see.

Thanks!
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