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.
I just tested the same thing with a McIntosh MCD 12000 DAC/CD player, the same issue here, N20 will not playback DSD64 over AES/EBU or Coax as long as the "Use Native DSD on USB" is set to on. Funny enough DSD128, 256 and above will play just fine (converted either by the N20 or the McIntosh to 176kHz, but they do play).
I cannot wrap my head around a setting that according to the Conductor app only affects the USB output is affecting all other digital outputs on N20.
According to the Aurender Conductor app itself: "this setting is specific to the USB audio output of your Aurender"
AES will play DSD in DoP (DSD over PCM), so that works, it only stops working if I turn the setting to On which is what I find strange, the USB inteface setting shouldn't meddle with the AES interface...
@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.
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.
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.
“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”.
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!
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 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..
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