Seems that Linn does DSD now...

Amazing.

Naim could play DSD for more than a year now....

Yes, but I believe only for Klimax DS streamers with the Katalyst DAC. 

Sadly, my DS/1 won't be able to play DSD files.

Linn still take the view that DSD is not the way forward. However, given that their new Katalyst DAC architecture could support DSD, there seemed to be no good reason not to support the format. The following quote from a Linn representative suggests that DSD doesn't have a ringing endorsement from Linn. 

Nice that Linn have finally accepted DSD does have something to offer,  OK it’s not going to replace PCM, but it’s available & has a lot to offer on specific music type, genre & recording systems,  so why not smell the roses.   I will be watching the Linn forum for the reactions & opinions of their forum’ites.   

Adam I bought the first DSD album for my NDX in February 2015

This appears to be Linn's position (taken from 'the other' forum):

"Linn believes unnecessary format proliferation is detrimental to wider adoption of Studio Master music. We do not believe that DSD provides any audio benefit compared to PCM. Further, it innately prevents the use of DSP. However, despite these downsides, we also strongly believe that the DS should support all formats that are both open and widely used. Whilst DSD is relatively uncommon in the UK and Europe, its has become more prevalent in other markets.
To be clear, we are not endorsing or encouraging the use of DSD. However, given the prevalence of DSD music in certain markets has increased, we recognise the importance of Linn owners being able to easily play DSD files at the best quality and feature set allowed for by that format".

I too downloaded my first few (and only) DSD tracks for my then ND5SX/Hugo setup in my second system in mid 2015. To my ears the tracks sounded excellent, and definitely up with the very best sounding albums and tracks that I have on my NAS. The only reason I didn't download more was the lack of support for the format on my then Linn Klimax Renew streamer in my main system. I considered buying more music in DSD format and converting the files to PCM for use in my main system, but I was persuaded at the time that this would not be a good idea. 

Unfortunately, DSD is not supported (and won't be) by my current Klimax DS/1. Only those with the Katalyst DAC based streamers (Klimax DS/3 or Klimax DSM/3) will be able to play DSD files, because it is the new DAC architecture only available in the most recent Klimax streamers that has made DSD support at all possible .   

I guess that Linn would not be likely to fully endorse or recommend DSD as a format even if they thought it did provide benefits over PCM, because most of the Linn streaming range cannot support (and cannot be made to support) the DSD format. It's a bit of a shame.  

As a matter of interest, do many Naim owners purchase significant amounts of music in the DSD format,? I suspect not, although I suppose this might change if the amount of music available in DSD format were to increase.

For those who do buy DSD format music, do you think it provides audible advantages over other high resolution formats? 

For those who do buy DSD format music, do you think it provides audible advantages over other high resolution formats? 

>> Nope,,,but some DSD records sound really really good, more "analog" flair (pretty hard to describe)...air,space,room, flow?

T38.45 posted:

For those who do buy DSD format music, do you think it provides audible advantages over other high resolution formats? 

>> Nope,,,but some DSD records sound really really good, more "analog" flair (pretty hard to describe)...air,space,room, flow?

Where are you buying DSD mostly?

Qobuz were supposed to be supporting it in the Autumn from memory but no sign yet.

Highresaudio, hdtracks for DSD (just bought Bill Evans Another Time). Flac mostly at qobuz.

Thanks - may have to give one a shot.