DSD Support

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DSD file playback on the Linn DS/DSM

Products that will play stereo DSD audio
  • Linn DS/DSM players with Katalyst DAC's, from firmware Davaar 60, can play Stereo DSD audio files. This is performed by passing the native DSD stream directly to the Katalyst DAC and letting the DAC do the processing and volume control.
  • All ORGANIK DAC's fitted within the Linn DSM can play DSD audio files.
  • New Klimax DSM (2020 variant)
  • Selekt DSM with "Organik", "Standard" and "Katalyst" DAC's
> Only supported on SLOT #1 of the Selekt DSM. Selekt DSM slots 2&3 will not play DSD audio/



Some important points on DSD playback on the Linn DS/DSM:

  • The DSD audio is ONLY available on the Linn DS/DSM analogue outputs.
The DSD audio stream is NOT supported on:

  • Exakt-link to Exakt speakers or Exaktbox. That is, DSD files will NOT play on Exakt speakers or Exaktboxes.
  • Digital outputs. (TOSLINK, SPDIF)
  • Songcast to other Linn DS/DSM players



  • Supports DSD64 (2.8224MHz) and DSD128 (5.6448MHz) sample rates.
    • DSD256 is only supported on Klimax DSM (2020 variant).
These in the following formats:
  • DSF - Sony format that supports ID3 tags
  • DFF - old Philips mastering format (aka DSDIFF)


  • DSD is NOT supported on external inputs such as Toslink or USB



  • No digital signal processing is possible. This means:
    • No balance control is possible to DSD audio file playback.
    • No Space Optimisation is applied to DSD audio file playback
    • Maximum volume is restricted to 80 (unity gain) on DSD audio file playback. However if you have raised to volume to a higher level e.g. 90, this higher volume is applied to any tracks that are NOT DSD audio files.

  • Linn DSM volume control MUST be enabled
    • If the DSM volume control is disabled you will hear "click"s on the loudspeaker when Play/Pause buttons are pressed or a change in bit-rate on change in tracks


Linn Kazoo Server supports the index and serving of DSD files. Non-indexed DFF files that have no metadata can be browsed by file name using the Kazoo Server Removable drives option.
Asset UPnP server and Minimserver support DSD index and serving to the Linn DS/DSM.