I've been streaming DSD audio via my NDS for some time. Initially I converted the DSDs to PCM using foobar2000 but then discovered that JRiver could stream DSD isos and dsf files and provided these were converted to PCM by the server 'on the fly' my NDS could play them.
However, the conversion from DSD to PCM does attenuate the audio by something in the order of -6dB and also adds a click/glitch at the start of some tracks.
I'm therefore curious to know whether either of these issues is present when when streaming native DSD files via the new NAC-N 272 or the N series streamers using the new beta firmware.
Posted on: 29 May 2015 by MarkMcK79
From my experience using the 272 (since beta testers are not supposed to disclose information related to beta testing on the public forum):
Comparing a rip of a hybrid disc with known masters being the same for each layer the CD layer is approximately the same amplitude as the DSD layer for the several discs I have tried. However, I have found that most SACD rips do tend to be at a very slightly lower amplitude (not as much as -6db) than the average of CD rips. (I mostly attribute this to most CDs I have ripped are commercial releases that were mastered hot compared to most SACDs that are audiophile masters that are not). I do occasionally get the click/glitch at the start of a track, but have found this common on several of the DSD DACs I've tried, not just Naim hardware. I have also found a few very hot SACD masters that do tend to clip at peaks on playback.
Posted on: 29 May 2015 by sjbabbey
Thanks for that info Mark. I was hoping that playing native dsf DSD files without the need for transcoding to PCM would solve the clicking issue.
Still looking forward to the new firmware release though.
