Aurender and native DSD output

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. 

Aurender support will answer all your questions. The number is in the manual. Support via phone is excellent. Call them!

That is my point, the AES/EBU interface should not alter its behavior based on a setting that in theory only affects the USB interface. In my case, if I set the "Use native DSD on USB" to OFF, then I can play all sorts of DSD files using the AES/EBU interface, and if I turn the setting ON (Which in theory should not affect the AES interface) the opposite happens, I can play FLAC files, but no DSDs at all, not even DSD64.

This is likely because when you enable the native DSD signal that is what’s being sent to the AES/EBU as well and it cannot process that signal and so sends nothing or maybe it’s not even sent to AES/EBU at all — whatever, but when the native DSD is turned off the signal is “dumbed down” however it’s done which is why the AES/EBU connection can then handle it. What @audphile1 recommends makes total sense that if you’re not doing DSD use the AES/EBU connection as that is better for the reasons stated (OCXO clock) and when playing DSD use the native DSD signal through USB. Seems simple enough.

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. 

That is my point, the AES/EBU interface should not alter its behavior based on a setting that in theory only affects the USB interface. In my case, if I set the "Use native DSD on USB" to OFF, then I can play all sorts of DSD files using the AES/EBU interface, and if I turn the setting ON (Which in theory should not affect the AES interface) the opposite happens, I can play FLAC files, but no DSDs at all, not even DSD64.

The aim of this thread was to seek feedback from those that have an Aurender N20 (or other) along with a DAC that has both AES/EBU and USB input and see if they also see the same behavior... It may be a bug in my system.

Does this help?

“The "Use native DSD on USB" option for the Aurender N20 music server affects only the USB interface and does not impact the AES/EBU, Optical BNC, or SPDIF interfaces.

This is because many DACs support DSD decoding only through USB inputs, while SPDIF and AES/EBU interfaces typically do not support native DSD.

The "Use native DSD on USB" option on the Aurender N20 does not affect the performance of the AES/EBU interface. This option is specific to the USB interface, which is typically used for DSD playback, as most DACs support DSD decoding only via USB inputs. The AES/EBU interface operates independently and is governed by its own clocking system, such as the OCXO clock in the Aurender N20, which ensures high-quality audio output without interference from USB settings”.

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

I understand the technicalities, let me explain what I am trying to understand here...

The "Use native DSD on USB" option, should only affect the USB interface, and should have nothing to do with the AES/EBU, Optical BNC, or SPDIF interfaces which the Aurender offers.

But, when I have the same setting On, and I listen via the AES/EBU out, why would AES not play the DSD files?.... Funny enough, the minute I turn the setting off, AES has no issues playing back all my DSD resolutions, from DSD64 to DSD256!

Something makes no sense here.

I have the  N200 and DSD and DSF files play just fine through USB.

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

Audio Specifications

 

 

thijazi OP

2 posts

10-05-2024 at 10:47am

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

I think you already have your answer. Pretty sure native DSD can only be handled via USB or i2S, which is likely why it isn’t working over AES/EBU.

I don't think that DoP converts the DSD files to PCM, I think it encapsulates the DSD files using PCM to use it as a transport for compatible DACs and players..

It is probably doing DoP which can handle dsd64 over spdif .   So it is basically converting dsd to pcm

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

Zlone: the thing is, when I turn the "use Native DSD on USB" off, then I can play DSD over the AES interface...

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

I believe that AES which is SPDIF, does not support anything over 192 KHz, and so DSD will not work on that interface.