Howdy,
I’ve been trying out RoonServer and have some problems with playing DSD files.
System:
DAC: Ayre QB-9DSD (DoP, max. DSD64)*
OS: Linux (Voyage Linux, slimmed down version of Debian Jessie)
Kernel: 4.5.2 (compiled latest stable to get Alsa 1.0.29)
Music files are stored on a local (e)sata drive
Computer: Soekris NET6501, 1.6GHz Intel Atom, 2GB memory.
Roon version: both server & client 1.2 64bit, build 128
DAC settings: set to max 24bits/192kHz/DSD64
Originally I had kernel 3.16.7 (Alsa 1.0.28) This was playing mostly fine (apart from an occasional hickup) at 44.1kHz/16bits. However, at PCM96, PCM192, DSD64 there were many hickups (short pause followed by a click). Interestingly, when using RoonBridge and RoonServer as a network client (and running RoonServer on a MBP-2011), all formats were playing fine on Linux/Ayre.
To get the recommended Alsa version 1.0.29 I had to compile a new kernel. I doubt any distribution is shipping with Alsa 1.0.29 currently, so I compiled kernel 4.5.2 which should include the latest version of Alsa. It seems that PCM192 files are playing fine now. However, the problem with DSD64 files remains unchanged (though maybe less).
Observations (notes):
- Playing the same files via MPD (musicpd.org) works without a glitch.
- Occasionally a DSD file plays without a problem, most of the time there are glitches as described. (sometimes every 10 seconds, sometimes once a song).
- Now playing a number of DSD files without a problem (haven’t had that before). Went to Dac settings (forgot that will kick of the device [Transport: Roon lost control of endpoint], resuming play … and now the issue is back…
- I don’t see anything suspecious in the logs of both RoonServer, and RAATServer (some notifications GOT/SENT/NAK, starting playback messages).
- There is enough ram available, cpu ussage (for Roon related processes) is around 21% for DSD, which is higher that I’m used to, but shouldn’t be a problem.
Any idea on how to fix this?
Kind regards, Maarten
*) The dac is connected to the Linux computer (local playback)