DSD64 Multichannel files not playing

[Tom Schultz]

Hello,
I’m in the early stages of finding my way through playing DSD Multichannel files on my 5.1 setup and haven‘t yet been successful using MinimServer.

I’ve recently installed MinimServer on my Synology NAS, which I primarily use to host PCM and DSD files, both 2 Channel and Multichannel. In my living room I‘ve just installed a new AVR with a DSD-capable DAC (Pioneer VSX-LX305) in a 5.1 configuration, together with a SONY UBP-X800M2 Blu-ray player.

The Pioneer isn‘t DLNA-certified, still it plays 2 Channel DSD64 files. When I try to play Multichannel files, though, I get an error message. The SONY BRP plays neither 2- nor Multichannel from MinimServer.

For testing I also installed the Synology Media Server on the NAS. From that media server Multichannel files play on the SONY, but not the Pioneer.

Would anybody know what I‘m doing wrong or what configuration step is missing with MinimServer to get Multichannel DSD-files to play?

I use mconnect for iOS as a control point.

Thanks a lot

[simoncn]

Some renderers don't accept the industry standard MIME types for DSF and DFF files. This is probably the reason why your Sony renderer can't play the 2-channel files but your Pioneer renderer can play these files.

This post indicates that some Sony renderers need the nonstandard MIME type audio/dsd to work correctly. To configure MinimServer to send this MIME type for both DSF and DFF files (your post doesn't say which of these you are using), set the serverOptions property to this:

mimeType.dsf=audio/dsd, mimeType.dff=audio/dsd

If this works for playing DSD files on the SONY renderer, it is likely (from your results when using the Synology server) that it will prevent these files from working on the Pioneer. This is an unfortunate consequence of SONY's decision not to support industry standard MIME types for DSD files.

I think the problem you are having with multichannel files on the Pioneer has some other cause. Perhaps another user with a similar setup can comment on this.

[Tom Schultz]

Thank you!

I will try this tonight.

[Tom Schultz]

I've set the serverOptions property accordingly. The effect was exactly what you had predicted. Multichannel DSD-files (.dsf) now play on the SONY BRP. On the Pioneer 2-Channel DSD-files now no longer play.

I had bought the SONY for this purpose only, as I had not even expected the Pioneer to play 2-Channel DSD as it did. Now that I've seen both players in action, it's a pity the SONY would work and not the Pioneer. The Pioneer renders album covers beautifully on the TV while the SONY shows some tag contents and no cover art at all, basically the same as was shown when playing an SACD on another 15yr old Blu-ray player I have.

I will contact Pioneer support but am not holding my breath. Probably nobody ever even bothered to test this use case. The fact they did not have the AVR's Homeserver feature dlna-certified speaks for itself.

I'm glad it's working with MinimServer as it is way superior to the Synology media server. That one does not even show cover art for DSD-files in the control point app.

Thanks a lot for your help!
Tom