Systems

Information, hints and tips on operating a DS player in typical Linn systems.

Klimax DS & Klimax Kontrol (& CD12)

Prior to the Bute release, the Klimax DS would pass handset IR commands to the Klimax Kontrol. As this functionality is not available in Bute, Product IR must be enabled on the Klimax Kontrol and the unit must be visible to handset commands.

Akurate DS & Akurate Kontrol (& Akurate CD)

RS232 connection between an Akurate CD and an Akurate DS is not currently supported if the Akurate CD is being used in multi-channel configuration. Therefore, if adding an Akurate DS to a multi-channel Akurate CD and Akurate Kontrol system, do not make an RS232 link between the Akurate DS and the Akurate CD, or the Akurate DS and Akurate Kontrol. Instead, connect the Akurate DS to the Akurate Kontrol as an analogue source and add it as a new source. Use the Linn GUI or other device for controlling the Akurate DS, and a Linn handset for the rest of the system.

Akurate DS, Unidisk & Kinos

RS232 connection between a Unidisk and an Akurate DS is not currently supported. Therefore, if adding an Akurate DS to a Unidisk and Kisto/Kinos system, do not make an RS232 link between the Akurate DS and the Unidisk, or the Akurate DS and Kisto/Kinos. Instead, connect the Akurate DS to the Kisto/Kinos as an analogue source and add it as a new source. Use the Linn GUI or other device for controlling the Akurate DS, and a Linn handset for the rest of the system.

Adding a DS player to a Linn Unidisk and system controller/pre-amp

If you are adding a DS player to a Linn system which includes a Unidisk player that is connected to a Linn system controller/pre-amp by RS232, then complete the steps below.

1. Follow the instructions in the DS player’s System Installation and Setup Manual up to installing the Linn GUI and Linn Config application.

2. Connect the DS player to the system controller/pre-amp by phono leads as an analogue source. Do not make an RS232 connection between the DS player and system controller/pre-amp.

3. On the system controller/pre-amp, add the DS player as a new source.

4. On the Linn Config, select the DS player, select the ‘Advanced Configure’ tab and make the following settings:

• ‘Handset Commands Accepted’ to No
• ‘Linn Preamp Connected’ to None
• ‘Linn Disc Player Connected’ to None

The Linn GUI should be used for operating the DS player, and the Linn handset for the Unidisk and pre-amplifier.

These instructions also apply to a Linn system which includes an Akurate CD if it is being used in multi-channel configuration (i.e. the user has SACD and/or DVD-Audio discs, a multi-channel speaker system and the Akurate CD and system controller/pre-amp are connected by RS232).

Integrating a DS and Akurate Music Server

In some larger systems it may be necessary to integrate a DS in an installation with an Akurate Music Server.

Network Infrastructure

You will need to select a NAS that supports both products,filing systems. (i.e. NFS and Twonky Media Server). (For example, QNAP TS409 Pro, or see other posibilities on the Recommended NASes page).

Installation is best approached in steps.

1. Set up the DS player from a clean network, exactly as described in the DS installation manual
2. Set up the Akurate Music Server (AMS) network settings
3. Attach the AMS to the network
4. Verify that the Linn equipment works
5. Attach any additional network devices such as routers and broadband modems
   

After completing step 1, take a note of the network sub-net address. In step 2 allocate a static IP address for the AMS. This address must be unique, and on the same sub-net as that used in step 1. Your network administrator will be able to allocate a unique address from the range dedicated to static IP addresses on your network. Before connecting the AMS, tell the AMS the chosen IP addresses of your NAS and the AMS itself; the AMS manual tells you how to do this. Move on to steps 3 and 4. Refer to the respective vendor's manuals to complete step 5.

Ripping

As of version 4.10-5 the AMS supports import of media from external (additional) rippers.

The AMS (Akurate Music Server)  supports automatic import of FLAC media into the AMS media library. FLAC files with valid meta-data can be copied into the Media Import directory on the NAS. The AMS will import these files and they will be available for playback via the AMS control interface.

• Ensure Media Import Enabled box is checked

Importing media from an external ripper, (eg, EAC or RipStationMicroDS) can be used with this feature.

• Configure your ripping software to copy ripped files to the Media Import directory on the NAS. Your ripping program should be configured to rip to the FLAC media format and contain valid track meta-data.

By default the Media Import directory is "/Media/import" on the AMS NAS.

Ripping options are configurable from the AMS web interface.

Warning

• You can edit the Tags and ANY file on the AMS NAS. The only restriction is that you CANNOT change the FILENAME or DIRECTORY of the Music. (The AMS database is built on the filename and locations. It does NOT use the Tags, thus these can be edited to whatever you want.)
• If you want to change the AMS media name, this can only be done via the LINNTEK software. When you edit the media name using the LINNTEK software, this changes the database information for that file in that directory. It does nothing with that Media file.
• When you rip a CD in to the AMS, if you have this configured (via the web-interface) to Rip as FLAC, it will rip the CD in FLAC with the metadata AGS added. This simplifies the process of adding Music to the AMS and DS.

Shared Media Library

As of version 4.10-5 the Akurate Music Server rips to the FLAC media file format by default. FLAC is the optimal media format to share your media library for playback on both your DS and AMS systems.

To allow playback of the AMS media library on your DS system you should configure Twonky UPnP Media Server to point to the AMS Media Library directory. By default this directory is "/Media/audio".  Add this directory to the list of directories scanned by Twonky Media Server.

Once the library has been scanned by Twonky, you will be able to select and play the content of the AMS media library from the DS control point software, (eg KinskyPDA).

AMS Media Library options are configurable from the AMS web interface. Twonky Media server options are configurable from the Twonky configuration page.