Template:FAQ:Linn DS/DSM FAQ

Music formats

What audio formats do the DS players support?

DS products support

• FLAC Up to 192k 24bit
• WAV
• AIFF
• AIFC
• MP3
• AAC
• WMA (lossy)
• OGG VORBIS
• OGG FLAC
• ALAC (Apple Lossless) upto 192K 24bit (If these ALAC files were generated by an early version of dBpowerAmp the Linn DS will not recognise these. Transcode these files to ALAC using the latest version of dBPowerAmp to fix this.)
• DSD - limited to some products in a certain configuration. Check DSD Support for more informaiton

Linn recommends FLAC.

Formats NOT supported

• MQA: Check HERE for more information

• DRM protected files cannot be played on the DS products

Why does Linn recommend FLAC?

1. FLAC is a free open format. It is non-proprietary, which means your music collection is safeguarded for the future, can be played through any open digital music player, and is not tied to a particular manufacturer or product. The specification is published for all to see. In contrast, SACD has failed to achieve significant success because it requires proprietary music content and disc players with proprietary hardware inside.
2. FLAC allows even better than CD quality encoding and decoding. Linn Records provides studio master quality downloads in FLAC, at the same quality as SACD.
3. FLAC supports metadata, or tags, so that useful information about a piece of music can be stored with the music; for example, album, artist, genre, cover art, sleeve notes, etc. User interfaces can make good use of these tags. Two examples of applications that support tag editing are: Mp3tag (Windows) and Tag (Mac)
4. Because it is open and free, there are an extensive set of players, tools, transcoders (to convert between other formats and FLAC), tag editors, and other programs for FLAC.

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Can the Linn DS/DSM play DSD music?

Products that will play stereo DSD audio:

• Linn DS/DSM players with Katalyst DACs, running firmware from Davaar 60, can play stereo DSD audio files.
  
• All ORGANIK DACs within the Linn DSM can play DSD audio files.
  
• Klimax DSM (2020 variant)
• ANYSelekt DSM variant with Organik, Katalyst or Standard DACs
  

> 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:

• DSD audio is ONLY available on the analogue outputs
  

DSD audio 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) and Selekt Edition.

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 HDMI, 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 DS/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.

Can I change the audio quality of the Tunein Radio

NO, the Linn DS/DSM.HUB only plays the Radio stream provided by Tunein.

I can no longer get Linn radio stream, Linn Jazz, Linn Classical, Linn Radio, station

From June 2022 TuneIn have removed these Linn Radio streams from their supported list.

These stations are now available using the radio. click <HERE> for more information on how to change your LInn DS/DSM radio to

Does the Linn DS/DSM players play BBC Radio via TuneIn?

Yes, the Linn DS/DSM/HUB will continue to use TuneIn to access and play the BBC radio stations.

From the 30th September 2019 BBC radio made changes to what can access their Radio stations via TuneIn. This is mainly for devices that can support using the BBC Sounds App. The Linn DS products do not support the Sounds App can will continue to have BBC Radio playback rights using Tunein.

Check the BBC Sounds >HELP< section for more information.

How do I add BBC Radio stations to my Presets?

1. Select the TuneIn button in Kazoo /Linn App and find the BBC, or any other Radio station you wish to add in selection tree
2. Press the three dots on the right hand side of the station and enable/disable the Favourite, (TuneIn > Favourite in Linn App).
3. Complete

I cannot get any foreign Radio stations, I can only get UK stations

Due to a legal case between TuneIn and Sony Music, Warner Music. on licences. UK radio stations have licences for UK wecasting. However, non-UK based radio stations were not licensed to webcast music within the UK,

This is a TuneIn issue we are waiting for them to resolve. The alternative is to configure the Linn DS/DSM with airable internet radio

Does the Linn DS/DSM players play MQA?

No, check this link "MQA is bad for Music" for more information

Can the DS player play multi-channel files?

No, the Klimax DS, Akurate DS, Majik DS, Majik DSI, Sneaky Music DS, Sekrit DS, Sneaky DSM, Sekrit DSM and Sekrit DSi are stereo audio only.

Klimax DSM, Akurate DSM & Majik DSM can play multi-channel audio from their HDMI inputs if they are using Davaar55 or later software.

Top Of Page Index

Upgrading software

How do I upload new software into the Linn DS/DSM

1. First of all you need a PC or MAC and install the KONFIG app.
   
2. After you have installed KONFIG go to the ADVANCED tab. If your Linn DS/DSM requires an update it will be listed here.
3. If an update is available for that Linn DS/DSM then press the UPDATE' button

More detailed instructions are listed HERE

Top Of Page Index

Input/Outputs

How do I add Music to play on Linn DS

If your Music is on a CD then this must be RIPPED from the CD first.

This can be using a PC or MAC with CD-ROM drive or from a Network attached Storage device/NAS with inbuilt ripper.

If you are using a PC or MAC you can use software listed HERE

The "Ripped" Music can be held on the PC/MAC of on a Network attached Storage device/NAS. The NAS is the better option as this is a low power device that can be left on all of the time.

The PC/MAC/NAS requires UPnP Media Server software to share the Music for the Linn DS/DSM to play.

Will downloaded music play on the DS players?

Yes, so long as it is not protected by Digital Rights Managemant (DRM) restrictions and is in one of the supported formats, or transcoded to such a format.

Can I Airplay from my Android device?

Without ROOTING the android device there is no way to stream to the Linn DS (Airplay AOA Service).

All other apps take the media file and stream it via UPnP.

Streaming local files can be done use Skifta and “Double Twist Player”

Media Applications

After Updating to Davaar55 I can only get audio from my Exakt outputs and not the Analogue Out

Check Konfig > Device > "Dual Analogue/Exakt Stereo Output" has been enabled.

If you have declared your Exakt speakers as 'Front Left'/'Front Right' and the analogue outputs to be 'Front Left'/'Front Right' (Stereo). ensure that this option in Konfig is enabled. The audio in the Exakt outputs will be out of sync by approx 45mS compared to the analogue outputs.

Are the Digital outputs (Toslink/SPDIF) volume controlled?

No, the digital outputs are ALWAYS full line level outputs. They are not Volume controlled or Mute-able from the standard Linn DS/DSM controls.

The Digital outputs will always produce the front Left & Right of the audio source that is playing on the Analogue or Exakt outputs.

General Q's

Can I stop the kids from playing with the front panel buttons?

Yes, if you go into Konfig > Display settings you can define "Front Panel buttons" to be OFF. This will stop the front panel buttons from doing anything. You can still control the Linn DS/DSM by IR handset and the Kazoo App.

(Just remember if you have disabled the front panel buttons and think that the Linn DS/DSM is broken!)

How do I achieve gapless playback for live albums?

To guarantee gapless playback, you will need to rip your music tracks into a lossless format (i.e. FLAC). You must also ensure that you are using ripping software that does not add gaps between tracks when ripping (i.e. DBPoweramp). Most ripping software will offer the option to turn this feature off.

Also make that that you have selected the PLAYLIST input and NOT the UPnPAV input

Linn PINS

What is a PIN, check HERE for more detailed information.

PIN FAQs:

• We currently support pinning from Kazoo Server (V4.9.8 onwards) , Tidal, Qobuz, TuneIn, CalmRadio, DS radio presets, and Linn DSM external inputs

• This is only applicable with Linn DS/DSM players with Davaar 64 or higher firmware

• This currently does NOT support Pins to external pre-amplifier inputs, such as Akurate Kontrol, Kisto etc.

• PINs use discrete IR codes and are not used with any other Linn Product control.

• PINS for Radio stations are wrongly created with Kazoo V4.13.21, this has been fixed with next version 4.13.22. If you have created a Radio station PIN and it doesn't work, check you have a later version of Kazoo and re-assign this PIN to the correct radio station.

Linn Songcast

Songcast is the method of transport for streaming STEREO audio data between a Songcast sender, (Linn DS/DSM, Songcast App), and Songcast receivers, (other Linn DS/DSM players listening to that sender DS - multiroom operation.)

The Songcast stream contains the raw unprocessed music stream, the metadata information for the Music playing and timing information.

• The raw music data is the same data as received by the sending Linn DS. This maintains the same music stream is processed by ALL Linn DS players, (sender and receivers).
  
  • As this Songcast music stream is untouched this leaves the receiving Linn DS/DSM to do its own volume control.
  • Volume, Space Optimisation and Exakt processing, if used, are all performed as a final process to minimise any digital processing.

• The timing information is used to ensure that the Linn DS/DSM players are in sync with the music sender.
  

There is a ! on the front panel of my Linn DS/DSM

There is a speaker setup issue on the Linn DS/DSM Surround Sound Rules

The front panel of the DS is showing a flashing dot or lightening flash and I cannot see the Linn DS with Kazoo or Konfig

This is the Linn DS either in "startup" mode or in "Waiting for Software" mode.

"Startup": The flashing dot is the startup mode trying to connect to you ethernet network. This mode will typically occur when you first apply power to the Linn DS/DSM. This will typically take 30seconds and go into standard use mode.

"Waiting for Software": The lightening flash is the Linn DS/DSM waiting or getting a software update.

If you have any problems getting the Linn DS on an Ethernet network, (dot continuously flashing), try the following options:- Option1

• Power off the EVERYTHING connected to the Ethernet system, (PC, Printers, DS, Routers/DHCP servers).
• Leave everything powered off for at least 10seconds.
• Switch everything back on.
• Retry the system

You will find that some of the devices in the system get confused and cause system confusion. The power cycling will do a reset of the system and recover most issues.

Option2

• Use fresh Ethernet cables, (replace existing cables).
• If the Linn Ds is more than 3M (10ft) from the DHCP/Server. Move the Linn DS right beside the Router/DHCP server and patch using a short Ethernet cable (1M), the Linn DS to the DHCP server/Router
• Retry the system

Option3

• Build a totally separate system with only a DHCP/Server and Linn DS.
• Retry the system

Some networks only have a limited number of DHCP address’s. if you have already connected some PC’s to this system, your Router/DHCP server can remember these devices, (even though no longer connected) and will not allocated these previously assigned IP addresses to newly connected products. So the case of unplugging one device to free up an IP address for the DS to use will NOT work with most Routers/DHCP servers if there are no free DHCP IP addresses available.

This will give a better idea as to what is causing the problem. (98% of the time, this is due to a local network issue).

If you always get the flashing dot then the lightening flash symbol then the Linn DS/DSM needs to be programmed. Check the Konfig Manual > Updates section or contact your Linn Retailer to get assistance.