New Rossini will not play DSD

Support
1

My new Rossini will not play DSD files from my Mac. I am sure I must be doing something wrong.

2

Yes you probably are. But you need to tell us what you are doing.

Please tell us how you have connected Bartok and what sources you have. What is your DSD source? Is it local files stored by you on NAS?vWhat server software are you using? In another thread you are saying that Mosaic cannot find Bartok. So how are you trying to play the DSD material?

In your question about volume I asked you a specific question, You have not answered it.

You have to answer our questions to get help. BTW you do not need to open a new thread every time when this is all the same topic about Your new Bartok.

3

The Rossini network interface is compatible with DFF and DSF formats at DSD/64 and DSD/128 resolutions whereas the USB input supports those same resolutions but only in DoP format. Which interface are you using and what format/resolution of file are you trying to play?

4

All of my DSD 64 and 128 files are in DSF format. Also, I use a Mac mini running Audirvana which is set to DoP. It can be set to “None” but that makes no sense because the Rossini manual says it needs be in DoP. When I do try to play a DSD file the Rossini does not recognize it. That is, it does not display DSD but rather 24/384. I do hear a hiss coming out of the speakers and when I turn up the volume the hiss increases but I can slightly hear the music under the heavy hissing noise. I do not know if that helps but I thought I should let you know. This is a shot in the dark but maybe the dac is not unfolding the DoP files.

One more item. Yesterday, I went into Mosaic and while on the opening page I clicked on the small picture of the dac then clicked on the small clogged wheel in the upper right corner and entered the ip address manually. No luck connecting to the Rossini to Mosaic. Today after I turned on the Rossini to check the the ip address. It was entered correctly. So I opened Mosaic and it was connected to the dac. So two of my three issues, volume and Mosaic connection are now resolved. Now if we can figure out what I am doing wrong with the DSD set up I will be in music heaven. Finally, I have about 50+ DSD music files on my Mac mini and I do hear a difference between PCM and DSD.

Thanks for your patience. Hang in there eventually we will get this right.

Randy

5

Thanks Randy. What version of Audirvāna are you using? I can’t see that setting on either legacy Audirvāna 3.5.50 (3580) or the current Audirvāna Studio 2.9.0. And is the Mac connected to the Rossini via USB or Ethernet? This makes a difference to how the audio is handled.

6

Ah, I connected my laptop directly to my Vivaldi with USB (I usually use the network connection) and the DSD Playback setting popped up in Audirvāna so I assume that is what you are using. As you say it should be set to DSD over PCM 1.0 or 1.1.

Given that, a couple of things to check:

  • You have connected the Mac to the USB1 port (the USB-B receptacle) on the Rossini, not the USB2 (USB-A) port which is only for thumb drives.

  • Double check that the USB input is set to Class 2 (this is the default setting). You can do this from Mosaic or the front panel (Settings/Device/USB Class).

  • Sync Mode is set to Master Mode (Unit Settings/Sync Mode). Again, this is the default setting for the USB input but you never know!

7

Struts001,

Sorry about not getting back to you sooner but we had to take an unexpected trip and just returned last night.

I have checked all of the settings on the Rossini and I am connected to USB 1 and Sync Mode is set to Master all according to the manual. But still no DSD.

I have sent an enquirer to Audirvāna about this issue with screenshots of the settings in the Preferences hoping they might have an idea.

Any other thoughts?

Randy

8

I forgot to add that I am using Audirvana Studio 2.9.0. This is the latest version.

9

Hi @Randy,

One last try because I am playing a DSF128 file via USB right now and it is working fine.

I just want to be certain that your Mac is seeing your Rossini correctly.

10

Hi @Randy

The Rossini showing 24/384 and you being able to hear the expected audio but very faintly would suggest that possibly the Mac audio mixer is manipulating the audio and stripping the DoP flags before it is sent on to the Rossini - do you have the Mac set to a volume less than 100%?

I don’t have a Mac here at the moment to check Audirvana on but do you also have Audirvana configured for ‘exclusive access’ in the audio settings?

Cheers

Phil

11

Just some observations @Phil as I do have a Mac to test on (these are based on replay of locally stored DSF128 files over DoP 1.1 via USB, MacOS 15.0 Sequoia, Audirvana 2.9.0 (20900) settings per screenshot above):

  • Audirvāna seems to grab exclusive control of the audio output (shown by a closed padlock main screen bottom right, “Exclusive audio access mode activated”) regardless of the setting of Audirvāna’s Exclusive Access preset. Haven’t been able to figure out what the function of the latter is, maybe DoP mode overrides it.
  • The Audirvāna volume control and the Mac system volume are interlocked for the selected audio output while Audrivāna is playing i.e. changing one affects both, changes are mirrored.
  • Reducing the volume below 100% mutes the output immediately. The track continues to play (track timer continues to increment) and the “exclusive access” padlock remains closed but no audio is output. On returning the volume to 100% (either in MacOS or Audirvāna) a relay inside the Upsampler clicks and the audio returns.

I did have a weird moment when I started playing a DSF file for the first time today. The audio was playing back too slowly (half speed?) and there was a strange “pulsing” distortion. I rebooted the Mac but the same thing happened. Then I reset the USB interface in the Upsampler (by switching to Class 1 and then back to Class 2) and that solved it.

12

There’s a Audirvana Studio 2.9.2 (20902) update by the way.

1 Like
13

Thanks @anupc. Re-tested with 2.9.2 (20902) with the same results.

One thing I noticed however. When the Exclusive Access preset is enabled the MacOS and Audirvāna volume controls are no longer interlocked. The MacOS volume control for the dCS output device can be changed without interrupting the audio (it has no effect) and the Audirvāna control remains at 100%. Reducing the volume below 100% in Audirvāna results in the output muting per above and returning it to 100% results in the relay click and unmuting.

It seems all DSP settings in Audirvāna are greyed out in DoP mode so I can’t see any other settings that would affect playback or produce the effects that @Randy is experiencing.