Playback stops after one track on DSD albums (ref#NC1IXS)

Support
1

What best describes your playback issue?

· Music stops playing unexpectedly

What type of Zone is affected by this problem?

· *All of my Zones* are affected.

Does the issue affect all file formats?

· The issue *only affects one file *format.

Which format is giving you trouble?

· DSD

Is your device connected directly to the Roon Server via cable or over the network, or is it chained through another device (such as a streamer, Roon Bridge, or Roon Remote)?

· It is connected through a different device (e.g Rasberry Pi)

Does the device play audio from another source when using the same connection?

· The device has no problems with another audio source

Have you checked that Roon is whitelisted in any firewalls?

· I've checked the firewall and the issue remains

If the device has multiple output options, do the other options work as expected?

· Only one output type is affected while the other output type works as expected

Is the device using the latest firmware as per the manufacturer?

· Firmware is up-to-date but the issue remains

Do you have an approximate timestamp of when the issue last occurred?

· Last week or so. Same with all DSD files in my "Albums."

What are the make and model of the affected audio device(s) and the connection type?

· See original complaint for core. Streamer is PSA Air-Lens, DAC is PS Audio Direct Stream MK ii

Describe the issue

---- on Tue, 08 Apr 2025 14:56:03 -0400 Warren Anderson wrote ----
I've been a subscriber of a month or two. I had a number of issues getting started, but I worked through them on my own and by referring to community posts. Also, I posted this issue on the community board and received no (on) assistance.

As noted above, the issue is that, when playing a DSD album, the system will play only one track and then stop completely. Once in a while it will start a new track and stop after around 10 seconds. This issue applies to DSD and not any other hi-res track or album. I can select another album, Quobuz, or radio station and the new selection will work properly. When I first set up, this was not an issue, but after a month or so it started and I cannot figure out how to fix it.

Here is some information which you may or may not need: Streamer - PS Audio Air-Lens, DAC PS Audio Direct Stream Mk1. Remote controllers: iPhone 13, Fire tablet 10 (both work properly). Core - Yxk S15 UItra Mini PC,12th Gen Alder Lake- N100(up to 3.4GHz), 16GB DDR4 RAM 1 TB M.2 SSD,


So far I've loaded about 3000 file to the SSD. For a time, I used the SSD and a 256GB flash drive. Recently, attempting to address the DSD issue, I deleted all files on the SSD , reinstalled almost the 3000 files, and removed the flash drive. Everything is now working well except for the DSD situation.

I hope you will provide answers to this problem for me.

Warren Anderson
Chico, CA USA
*moderated*

Describe your network setup

Roon software is contained in the pc discussed in the original complaint. The pc is connected directly to the router. The router is connected by ethernet cable directly to a PS Audio Air-Lens Streamer. The streamer connects by I2S cable to the PS Audio Direct Stream II DAC.

2

Hey @Warren_Anderson,

Thanks for taking the time to write in and share your report! We were able to review a fresh diagnostic report, and while we did see some buffering-related issues during playback, it was during live radio and not DSD files. This specific error was in relation to your Roon Server sending audio data faster than the endpoint (AirLens) can consume or process it.

Could you please reproduce the issue and share a more specific date, time, and track name when the issue occurs?

From there, we’ll be able to take a closer look around your DSD-related playback issues.

Can you also test out using a different cable temporarily? Let me know if your issues persist with this.

We’ll be on standby for your reply, thank you! :raised_hands:

3

Hi Benjamin,

Thanks for the reply. I was unable to focus on this until last weekend.

As advised, I tried several I2S specific HDMI cables and a high-quality digital coax. Unfortunately, there was no improvement in the situation with any of the alternatives and there was no noticeable difference between the various cables themselves.

I look forward to hearing from you with the next step.

Thanks,
Warren

4

Hi @Warren_Anderson,

Thanks for the update! We’re still seeing similar playback errors, but they’re occurring during [LowQuality 57.8x, 24/32 MP3 => 32/48] playback.

Could you share the track name the next time this happens?

To confirm, it looks like you are you using the I²S connection between the AirLens and the DirectStream Mk1 for native DSD. With your Settings > Audio > [AirLens zone] > Device Setup > Advanced is your DSD playback strategy is set to “DSD” or “Native” for I²S?

5

Native is setting on the Air Lens (bottom dip switches). Don’t find that alternative in Roon setup, advanced.

Directly after submitting this message I will play a DSD album and, if it plays without error, I will start another DSD album.

Thanks

6

Played one file and music stopped. H’ever, Room shows file playing, but no output.Just started a new DDD album; all’s fine.

7

Benjamin,

My earlier posts, from last evening, were sent from my iPhone and Roon was unhappy with my password. It took a few minutes to get that straight. At that time, Roon reported a log-on from Fresno, CA; and, just now, Roon noted a log-in from Brooklyn, NY.

As to my answers to your earlier comments on the DSD issue: I noted that the “Native” selection did not appear in the menu you described, however, the Air-Lens streamer has a series of dip-switch settings tucked away out of sight. The “DSD Native” selection is part of that array and is the setting in place. The operators’ manual for that device states that all dip switch selections when between PSA Air-Stream and PSA Direct Stream Digital, were pre-set to the up position and should remain so.

You asked for some indications where the DSD issue was occurring. I noted that, at the time I was communicating with you, I began playing a Duke Ellington DSD; it played one track, started the next track, but stopped playing after a few seconds. I started a second DSD album, perhaps Emile Barlow, it too played one track, started the next, then stopped. I left that alone for a few minutes and the track started again.

Thank you for working on this issue. Hope to hear from you again.

Warren Anderson

8

I just noted one mistake in my previous communications, I listed the DAC a PSA Direct Stream Mk II, in fact it is Mk I. Hopefully, that is not an issue.

11

Hey @Warren_Anderson,

Thanks for sharing the timestamp! From another Roon Server diagnostic report, we see the same serverside buffer overrun occurring. This isn’t a network issue per say, but more so your server is streaming faster than the AirLens can consume or acknowledge.

Once the buffer on the endpoint reaches capacity and can’t keep up, the stream is aborted.

As a small side test, can you test out using the Resync Delay feature within the device settings for the Airlens? This may not help, but If the AirLens is slow to initialize or lock onto the DSD stream format, it might fall behind early and never catch up — leading to a buffer overrun.

Does your router by chance, have different bandwidth throughput based on the specific ethernet port?

12

Benjamin

Thanks for the assistance. I’ll try that test this evening. FWIW, I seem to remember that the DSD function worked properly when Roon was set up initially.

Also, I’ll pass this on to PSA. My gut says it’s something between the Air-Lens and the DAC. AXPONA was last weekend and PSA will probably be slow in responding. I’ll keep you in the loop.

Warren

13

Just one question regarding the spec. Ethernet connection between your roon server and your roon endpoint using RAAT. Is your network device a managed one? Are you able to set “flow control” for the port connection used between roon server and roon endpoint?

14

Hi @Warren_Anderson,

Thanks for keeping us updated. We’re looking forward to hearing the results of your test and any feedback from PSA. Please let us know how everything goes or if you need any further assistance.

15

I’ll respond to this tomorrow.

1 Like
16

Hi @Warren_Anderson,
Take as much time as you need!

17

Daniel, Benjamin, et al.

Thanks for your help on this issue. I spoke with PS Audio and they, too, were concerned. Both Roon and PSA recommended adjusting the delay time between tracks, but that didn’t do any good.

I went through the various settings menus, experimented with anything that might apply and, under the library tab, noticed that there was a drop down menu concerning the number of computer cores devoted to handling file information. It was set to “4;” I dropped it to “3” and the DSD issue went away. I have watched this closely for about five days and conclude that the problem is now solved.

When I raised this issue initially, I provided information on my computer. It’s a Windows 11, mini PC devoted exclusively to running Roon.

Thanks again.

Warren

18

Hi @Warren_Anderson,
That’s great news! I’m glad the DSD is playing flawlessly now. Thanks for letting us know what worked for you. I’ll mark this thread as solved for you.