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Aurender and native DSD output

For those out there that are using the Aurender N20 streamer in tandem with a DAC that has both AES/EBU and USB digital input, can you please let me know if you are able to play DSD files via the Aurender over the AES/EBU output when the "Use native DSD on USB" setting is on?

In my case, this does not work, if I have the "use native DSD on USB" on, I cannot play any DSD/DSF files over AES/EBU, I can only play them over USB.. Flac and other formats work fine.

In my case the Aurender N20 is connected via both the AES/EBU and USB interfaxces to the Chord Dave DAC.

thijazi

Showing 7 responses by audphile1

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audphile1
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@thijazi all user manuals are available online. Don’t be lazy look this up and get your answers. 

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audphile1
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thijazi OP

2 posts

I did read all the manuals for both units, there is nothing there that explains it.

 

🐂 💩 because page 24 of 35 in the Chord DAVE manual explains the sample rate compatibility of each input. If you read it you would see that the AES/EBU accepts 44-96khz, 16 and 24bit. There’s more info on other inputs there.

From the Aurender user guide…

On some Aurender models (see "File Type & Resolution Support" comparison table below), "Native" DSD output is available via USB

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audphile1
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Further more in the Aurender manual/user guide you have the following information…

 

Audio Specifications

Analog Outputs N/A
DAC Chipset N/A
Audio Word Clock OCXO
Analog Outputs Supported Format N/A
Digital Outputs USB Audio (Dedicated), AES/EBU (OCXO Controlled), BNC Coax SPDIF (OCXO Controlled), RCA Coax SPDIF (OCXO Controlled), Optical/TosLink SPDIF (OCXO Controlled)
USB Output Supported Format PCM up to 768kHz, DoP up to DSD256, up to DSD 512 Native for USB output
SPDIF & AES/EBU Output Supported Format PCM: Up to 32-bit / 192 kHz; DSD: Up to DSD64 via DoP
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
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There’s no bug in your system. By the way Aurender customer service is great and you can reach out to them with this question. 

In case of N20, best results will be achieved using AES/EBU output because you are leveraging the Aurender OCXO clock.

If you’re streaming from Qobuz and or Tidal and that’s most of your listening, I would turn the Native DSD Off and completely disconnect and remove the USB cable. AES/EBU interface will sound superior to USB in your case. 

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audphile1
5,443 posts
 

When you turn native dsd off it sends the DoP via AES. Use whatever sounds best. 

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audphile1
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Even with USB out of the system and native dsd off, the N20 sends DoP via AES. Between the OCXO clock in the Aurender and the DAVE FPGA (Chord FPGA is really good with DSD), there’s zero need in keeping the USB connected. Not having it in there will probably result in better sound. 
To add, not all DSD albums sound better than their hi-res counterparts. I rarely dip into my DSD library. 

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audphile1
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@peipaul ​​​​@oddiofyl partially correct - it will downsample to PCM (N20) if your DAC is not compatible with DoP on AES interface. In case of DAVE it does accept DSD over PCM (DoP) and that is how N20 outputs DSD64 via its AES out.

Refer to this chart

https://aurenderteam.notion.site/2e2261cddc904b5e9372b4917bfa0aef?v=32b06a95f9a74d3e91d73a3e674c89be

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