Can I play non-PCM converted DSD with my Cambridge CXN2 through my Nucleus

[Peter_Neski]

I can play DSD files from a thumb drive in the Cambridge CXN2.
How can I do that with my Nucleus which is connected by Ethernet?
Right now I get DSD converted to PCM.

Will USB work from Cambridge?
Thanks

PS will a USB dongle work with my Nucleus?

[Rugby (aka Daniel or Big Dan)]

@Peter_Neski

I can play DSD files from a thumb drive in the cxn2.

You are not playing native DSD, you are playing DSD converted to PCM by the CXN2. It just doesn’t show you that on it’s display.

Read this previous post, and really the whole thread as it is pertains to your questions and has your answers.

Cambridge Audio CXN V2 DSD

To be clear, it does not matter whether you play DSD from a USB stick or send it via RAAT from Roon. The CXN converts any DSD input to PCM, even from the USB stick. The CXN cannot, as in never, no matter the input source, play native DSD. It will always convert the incoming DSD to PCM first. This is because the DAC chip used in the device cannot play a DSD signal. It can only do PCM.