Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Bazza1304]

Hi,
Can anyone help me here. I have converted some tracks to DSF format (as I'm told they give better playback ?). However I keep getting a message saying "playback is unsupported" and telling me to adjust my settings in playback options. I have checked the option for DSF playback, but still no joy. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong, ? I am using Windows 8 and by my own admission I am not great with computers.
Thank You.

[ferday]

do you have a DSD capable DAC? 

[dtc]

What DAC are you using? That would tell us what it supports.

What is the interconnect - USB in the most common. If HDMI it will not work.

What sampling rate DSD are you using.

DSD can be sent as either native or a special format called DoP (DSD over PCM). You should find out what format you DAC supports. For native format you need an ASIO driver supplied by the DAC maker. For DoP you can use either an ASIO driver or WASAPI. WASAPI does not support native format. In the ASIO driver you will need to select whether to use DoP or not.

You should set Bitstream to DSD in Audio options.

If you are using MC to control volume make sure it is set to maximum when playing DSD. You may or may not be able to adjust it. If you are not using volume, set it to Disable.

[Awesome Donkey]

Assuming you have a DSD-capable DAC, you don't need to convert existing files to DSF - you can do this on-the-fly in JRiver Media Center by opening up DSP Studio > Output Format > set Output Encoding to the DSD option of your choosing. Otherwise I disagree with the notion that "converting existing PCM files to DSD results in better playback".

[blgentry]

Assuming you have a DSD-capable DAC, you don't need to convert existing files to DSF - you can do this on-the-fly in JRiver Media Center by opening up DSP Studio > Output Format > set Output Encoding to the DSD option of your choosing. Otherwise I disagree with the notion that "converting existing PCM files to DSD results in better playback".

Output encoding should not be used unless you really really want to convert everything to DSD.  It's really not recommended unless your DAC won't play PCM.  Or if you have the idea from somewhere that your DAC will make everything sound better if you convert PCM to DSD.

Awesome Donkey knows all of this; he's very knowledgeable.  I'm just spelling it all out because the Output Encoding feature is a very misunderstood part of the DSP.

Brian.

[Bazza1304]

Thanks for all the replies. I have since learnt that there is not much point in converting files to dsf. However I have some dsf files on a memory stick which was downloaded in original dsf format. I am still very keen on having a listen to them, but when I try and play them this is the message I get on my screen with or without my computer hooked up to my DAC (which is a Naim V1).
This is the message what appears on my screen when trying to play them through JRiver :

"Playback could not be started on the output 'Direct Sound' using the format 'Dop 2.8 MHz 2ch'
This output format may not be supported by your hardware. You can use DSP Studio to change the output to a compatible format.
Also make sure that your system has a valid playback device and that it is properly configured in playback options"

I know I have my settings in the Bitrate for DSP, and also configured to accept dsf files in JRiver. However I have a feeling the audio settings on my laptop might not be right. However a the end of the day I am still not sure. If anyone can sort this I will be very grateful as I am assured I should be able to play these files with correct configuration.
Many thanks again.

[ferday]

AFAIK directsound doesn't support DSD!

you'll need to use a WASAPI or possibly even ASIO configuration for your DAC

[dtc]

AFAIK directsound doesn't support DSD!

you'll need to use a WASAPI or possibly even ASIO configuration for your DAC

Correct. You need WASAPI or ASIO for DoP and ASIO for native.  You should probably use WASAPI or ASIO  for 16/44 also . You also need the class 2 USB driver for higher sample rates, presuming you are using USB.  Your DAC manufacturer should provide that.

Again, what DAC are you using?

[Bazza1304]

I'm using a Naim DAC V-1. Thanks I'll try and configure it. but I'm not very good at terminology !

[dtc]

Here are instructions for installing the NAIM USB drivers, if you have not done so already.

https://www.naimaudio.com/sites/default/files/products/downloads/files/Naim%20DAC-V1%20-%20Windows%20Custom%20Driver%20Installation%20Instructions.pdf

The Driver Installer is available here

https://www.naimaudio.com/product/dac-v1

Once you have that, the instructions for installing for JRiver are here, including for DSD.

https://www.naimaudio.com/sites/default/files/products/downloads/files/Naim%20DAC-V1%20-%20JRiver%20Configuration_0.pdf

They recommend WASAPI Event Drive (do not check Disable Event Style box) and Bitstreaming set to DSD.

Do not set DSD output in Output Format unless you want everything to play in DSD. I would leave that at None for now and just play your DSD files.

Once you have the driver installed and have selected Naim V1 - WASAPI in Options - Tools - Audio, DSD should work.

Good luck.

[Bazza1304]

Cracked it ! Many thanks to everyone. However special thanks to the last reply : dtc. Your instructions were easy to follow for a "novice" like myself. I made this a mission to be won and thanks to all the replies I did it !!!!
Cheers everyone.

[dtc]

Great. Unfortunately setup of usb DACs can be complicated, especially for DSD. One of my favorite lines - "It's intuitive once you have done it 3 or 4 times."

Enjoy the music.

[Joaquindapark]

A nice informative post thank you. I have DSD files that are playing but that have hesitation (silent spots) during playback. My DSD files are loaded on an JRiver Id serving through a Denon DA-300USB, which is supposed to handle these files. I read the Naim MC setup doc. Is there such for Denon? Can you think of anything that would cause the silent spots and corrective action I could take in my setup?
Thanks in advance for anyone's help.

Additional question. From the Main doc:
"1. You can also setup DSD playback from the DSP Studio to Tools>Options>DSP & output format... from the Output Encoding dropdown menu select “DSD in DoP format”
2. However note that this will convert all  files to DSD, and therefore we recommend just using the Bitstreaming method."
Is it a bad thing to convert all to DSD?

[Joaquindapark]

A nice informative post thank you. I have DSD files that are playing but that have hesitation (silent spots) during playback. My DSD files are loaded on an JRiver Id serving through a Denon DA-300USB, which is supposed to handle these files. I read the Naim MC setup doc. Is there such for Denon? Can you think of anything that would cause the silent spots and corrective action I could take in my setup?
Thanks in advance for anyone's help.

Additional question. From the Main doc:
"1. You can also setup DSD playback from the DSP Studio to Tools>Options>DSP & output format... from the Output Encoding dropdown menu select “DSD in DoP format”
2. However note that this will convert all  files to DSD, and therefore we recommend just using the Bitstreaming method."
Is it a bad thing to convert all to DSD?