FAQ - Akurate Music Server

This FAQ applies to the Linn Kivor, Linn Index, and the Linn Akurate Music Server.

What is a Linn Media Server?

The Knekt KIVOR, INDEX and AKURATE MUSIC SERVER Server are no compromise Audio Servers; capable of supplying up to sixteen, (Kivor) independent full bandwidth 16-bit/44.1kHz stereo music sources. Each of the music sources are controlled independently. In effect;

The Knekt KIVOR system can act like SIXTEEN multi-disc players, all accessing the same disc library at the SAME time.

The Knekt INDEX & AKURATE MUSIC SERVER systems can act like EIGHT multi-disc players, all accessing the same disc library at the SAME time.

Can I control the Linn Media Server by RS232 or Ethernet?

Yes, you can control these products by both RS232 AND Ethernet.

This will allow control via PC, AMX, CRESTRON to control the Kivor, Index and Akurate Music Server as well as the Knekt RCU's.

Can I use any NAS with the Akurate Music Server?

No, the NAS must support the NFS protocol. Most NAS devices will support this service, but you should check the specification of your NAS devices if you wish to use it with the AMS.

The NAS folder structure must be able to support upper and lower case folder names.

See the list of Recommended NASes.

What other hardware is required for these Products?

We recommend a UPS, (Uninterruptable Power Supply) for use with the Kivor, Index and Akurate Music Server.

How do I set up an Akurate Music Server and a DS player in the same system?

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.