24bit 44.1kHz File Issue

Posted by: funkyand3 on 01 January 2012

I have recently purchased a number of albums from the Linn website to play on my NDX. The problem is that only 2 of the albums play correctly, 4 do not. One of these 4 albums did originally play ok but since the first play has failed. The error message on the NDX interface is "Can't Play Unsupported File Format".

All files are 24bit at 44.1kHz sample rate, which may be the issue. I've only purchased other 24bit albums which are at 96kHz and all play fine.

Will the upgrade help with this? Has anyone else experienced these problems? I've already contacted Linn who reported that they have had no similar complaints.

Set Up details are:

NDX-0225 version 3.06.00
NAS drive - QNap TS-419P firmware version 3.5.2 build 1126T
Media Server - Twonky version 6.0.34
Posted on: 01 January 2012 by Geoff P

The fact that 96/24 files play fine confirms in a practical form the specs which say 24 bit is supported.

 

I am assuming the downloads are all FLAC files, not that this should have any significance since they should be converted in the NDX for replay to WAV but you could try converting the errant FLAC downloads to WAV on a PC first ( Audacity for example can do this for you) then loading them to your music store.

 

Alternatively you could ask Linn to allow you to download said files again on the premise that all did not go well the first time and see if that helps.

 

regards

Geoff

Posted on: 01 January 2012 by Peter_RN

I wonder if this is an album art size issue.

 

Might be worth checking, perhaps remove the artwork if embedded and see if a track will then play again. I don’t know if this issue has been resolved in the new software, but is known.

 

If this should be the issue simply resize the image and retag the files.

 

Regards

Peter

 

Edit: Remember to rescan your files on the NAS after changing artwork.

Posted on: 01 January 2012 by funkyand3
Hi Geoff I'd already downloaded again with the same issue. I'll try the conversion to wav though. That sounds like a good idea. Cheers Paul
Posted on: 01 January 2012 by funkyand3
Thanks Peter Do you know what size the artwork should be? Thanks Paul
Posted on: 01 January 2012 by Peter_RN

I aim for 500x500 pixels with a file size not much more than 200kb, although many of my files are much smaller than 200kb, and still look fine.

 

Peter

Posted on: 01 January 2012 by DaveBk
Hope the album art issue gets resolved before my Transporter finally bites the dust as this will be when I get a Naim streamer.. I've just spent the afternoon scanning, photoshopping and retagging my FLACS with 1000x1000 jpegs of my original CD covers! 90 done so far, 450 to go... Got fed up with lousy album art on iPeng on my iPad.
Posted on: 01 January 2012 by funkyand3
I've replace the embedded artwork which was 1400x1400 with 500x500 and hey presto it now plays. Peter, thanks for the tip. Happy New Year
Posted on: 01 January 2012 by james n
I'd had a similar issue with some Linn downloads. My Akurate DS had no problems playing the files but my NDX refused to play them. Turned out to be album art size. I used XLD to re-import the files to my library and this resized the embedded art. Result -  files played fine on the NDX.

James
Posted on: 01 January 2012 by Peter_RN

Great to hear your files now work OK.

 

I would not be surprised to find that this is an issue that is fixed in the latest software as it has been on the to-do list; hope so. I now have the adaptor to enable me to apply the update, so a job for tomorrow I think.

 

Peter

Posted on: 01 January 2012 by Mr Underhill

Dave,

 

Can you consider making your album covers available?

 

I grab covers via Google - but frequently they are smaller, and poor quality.

 

If you do could you start a new thread with a URL - perhaps others would contribute.

 

Thx,

 

M

Posted on: 02 January 2012 by Simon-in-Suffolk
Hi, I would upgrade your NDX software version. There was a known bug in then earlier firmware where embedded album art above 500x500 often caused the NDX to become unstable and crash or not play media with the message about can't play unsupported file format.
Simon
Posted on: 02 January 2012 by SteveH

It's worth visiting this site for good cover art

 

Album Art Exchange

Posted on: 02 January 2012 by funkyand3
Simon Thanks for the tip. How do I upgrade the software? Paul
Posted on: 02 January 2012 by funkyand3
Cheers Steve
Posted on: 02 January 2012 by Peter_RN

Paul

 

You need a Windows PC to carry out the update together with an RS232 cable or a USB to RS232 adaptor. You can download the software that contains instructions on how to carry out the update and also a link to a company that can supply the correct adaptor should you need one.

 

Download the software from http://www.naimaudio.com/userf...eamer-update-3.9.zip

 

You may also like to read this thread, which discusses people’s experiences when doing this.  https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...nt/12688757299296805

 

I have just updated my unit, the only issue I had was that I needed to shut down the Firewall on the PC to enable the unit to be connected to. This is not unusual with my setup.

 

Speak to your dealer if you are unsure.

 

Peter

Posted on: 02 January 2012 by DaveBk
Mr Underhill... Happy to share, but not sure I'm allowed to without breaching copyright. I'm no expert here, but as I understand it the cover art is protected in the same way as the music. Low res versions get past this under the 'Fair Use' exclusions, but higher res versions could be seen to be an attempt to replicate the original.

I'll start a thread and see if any experts share an opinion.
Posted on: 02 January 2012 by funkyand3
Hi Peter I only have a macbook pro. Does it not work from a mac? Paul
Posted on: 02 January 2012 by Simon-in-Suffolk
Paul,
No it only only works with windows. You could try a mac windows emulator or borrow a neighbough's windows  laptop.
Simon
Posted on: 03 January 2012 by andrew mcmullins

Chaps

 

As Simon says - update the firmware - that cures most ills

 

also

 

I found I had a problem with one of the Linn albums where the album title was so long - the Marconi Union "Beatifully Falling Apart ..." that I had to shorten it - I suspect the path name was too long.  It is possible the new firmware fixes this as well though - but if you still have a problem - it is worth a punt.

 

Andrew