best way to input DSD files to D2 ?

M

mintakax

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Aug 28, 2018
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I want to put a bunch of DSD files onto a drive and connect them to my D2. Do I need to use a drive that is powered ? Will the cable I use between the drive and D2 be critical ? Sorry for the beginner question but I'm just beginning to get into higher end digital.
 
wklie said:
Typical recent USB drives should work. However, the best way is to install the free MinimServer on a computer or Synology / QNAP NAS, and store the music files there. In Lumin app, choose the Library to be MinimServer.
http://minimserver.com/installing.html
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I have a Synology NAS, but I was thinking that having a direct connection , drive to the D2 might be more reliable than streaming over the network. In the world of bits, jitter, clocks, etc, is there any improvement to SQ from having a drive hard connected ?
 
mintakax said:
I have a Synology NAS, but I was thinking that having a direct connection , drive to the D2 might be more reliable than streaming over the network. In the world of bits, jitter, clocks, etc, is there any improvement to SQ from having a drive hard connected ?
Click to expand...

I did put them on my NAS, but when I play they have loading problems when played with Roon. I haven't tried the NAS versions with the Lumin app. Certainly no problems with the files on the usb stick.
 
I have been streaming DSD files (over 6000 in my collection) to a Lumin U1, an Esoteric N-05, and PS Audio Direcstream DAC from a Synology NAS and have never experienced stuttering or pauses when streaming. I use an Apple Time Machine router bridged to a FIOS Actiontec router.
 
Projectman said:
I have been streaming DSD files (over 6000 in my collection) to a Lumin U1, an Esoteric N-05, and PS Audio Direcstream DAC from a Synology NAS and have never experienced stuttering or pauses when streaming. I use an Apple Time Machine router bridged to a FIOS Actiontec router.
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Thank you. I'm not sure what the issue is at my house. The NAS is hooked to the router in one room, the Roon Core is on a MacPro in a different room and the D2 endpoint is in a third room with an ethernet cable coming from an Eero extender. I only have problems with the DSD files.
 
I have the same setup. Roon core on iMac in one room, NAS in another room, and Lumin in a third room. My systems are running on WiFi, but I have WiFi extenders that help.
 
Projectman said:
I have been streaming DSD files (over 6000 in my collection) to a Lumin U1, an Esoteric N-05, and PS Audio Direcstream DAC from a Synology NAS and have never experienced stuttering or pauses when streaming. I use an Apple Time Machine router bridged to a FIOS Actiontec router.
Click to expand...

Do you have a preference among those DACS ?
 
My preference is the PS Audio Direcstream DAC. The Lumin doesn’t have an internal DAC, it is just a transport. I have never tried the N-05 in my main system to compare to the Direcstream.
 
mintakax said:
I have a Synology NAS, but I was thinking that having a direct connection , drive to the D2 might be more reliable than streaming over the network. In the world of bits, jitter, clocks, etc, is there any improvement to SQ from having a drive hard connected ?
Click to expand...

I use a direct attached 1TB hard-drive on my A1 for three years with no issues. Sounds great with both PCM and DSD files. I think eliminating the network is the best scenario.
 
mintakax said:
I'm not sure what the issue is at my house. The NAS is hooked to the router in one room, the Roon Core is on a MacPro in a different room and the D2 endpoint is in a third room with an ethernet cable coming from an Eero extender. I only have problems with the DSD files.
Click to expand...

Your WiFi is not good enough in your environment. With a wired network setup even Roon playback of DSD512 (to X1) has no problem.

If your Mac Pro is on WiFi then it'll be even worse.
 
wklie said:
Your WiFi is not good enough in your environment. With a wired network setup even Roon playback of DSD512 (to X1) has no problem.

If your Mac Pro is on WiFi then it'll be even worse.
Click to expand...

I just discovered that the ethernet hardwire to my MacPro is not functioning, so I'm working to fix that now. The same hardwire goes into an Eero repeater so fixing that will improve wifi also.
 
mintakax said:
I just discovered that the ethernet hardwire to my MacPro is not functioning, so I'm working to fix that now. The same hardwire goes into an Eero repeater so fixing that will improve wifi also.
Click to expand...

Got my ethernet hardwire back up and running and have been streaming DSD from my Synology to the D2 with no problems.

I'm feeling like it might sound better over ethernet than through the USB input. Is that possible ?
 
Crap-- I spoke too soon. I'm back to having slow loading issues with Roon and the DSD files. My Mac Pro with Roon core is hardwired as is the Eero extender which is looking right at a second Eero extender which is plugged into the D2.

My Synology is pretty old DS213. Could that be a problem ? I
 
Projectman said:
I have the same setup. Roon core on iMac in one room, NAS in another room, and Lumin in a third room. My systems are running on WiFi, but I have WiFi extenders that help.
Click to expand...

Projectman-- Can you tell me your Roon DSP engine settings for the Lumin ? I'm wondering if these settings could be contributing to my Roon DSD issues. My DSD files play fine using the Lumin app, I only have problems with Roon. I have tested the wifi and hardwired internet connections in all three locations and speed tests always show 150-250 Mbps.Is there another way I can test the connectivity ?
 
mintakax said:
My DSD files play fine using the Lumin app, I only have problems with Roon.
Click to expand...

Roon has relatively more stringent timing requirements for network. Please check whether every router, switch and Eero and see whether they have an option called "flow control". Toggle it and retry.

Particular models of network switches are also incompatible with Roon.
 
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