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Getting to Know Ruby...

Posted by Sibelius (A) on October 11, 2021 at 20:28:58

I received my Marantz SA-KI Ruby a couple of weeks ago and I'm working my way through understanding how it works. So far, to me, it's a beautiful machine and sounds very, very, good on everything I've thrown at it (not to say every recording sounds good, just good ones sound great, and bad ones sound...well, their limitations in quality are evident).

Today I downloaded the free Audirvana trial software, and DSD files (64, 128 and 256) from the 2L test bench website. I've learned a couple of things, but I've also run across a conundrum. I've learned that my Macbook doesn't output Native DSD, but converts to PCM over DoP, only Windows with ASIO code and select custom devices for the Mac OS do Native DSD as I understand it. That was interesting.

So when playing, recordings are reflected as DSD(2.8, 5.6 or 11.2) on the Ruby. Now the conundrum. DSD 64, and DSD 128 play perfectly from the Audirvana interface. DSD 256 however skips like a defective CD. I "searched it up" as my girls say, and it appears to not be isolated to Audirvana, J River has the same issue. Their answer to the issue is that those having the problem have insufficient computing power to do the on the fly conversion of '256. My computer is a 2015 MB Pro, 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 processor. The JR people insist that's the problem. Audirvana seems to be ignoring the problem, so very Apple like!

So, anyone else here have that issue? I'm just experimenting now, I don't have any recordings purchased in those Hi-Res formats (...yet, though looking at Native DSD and a couple of Mahler 1's to try). What sort of processing power does one need to be able to do the conversion? Would a new Apple Mac Mini do the trick? What level of Windows/Intel PC (GOD FORBID!) would do it? I do have an old Windows laptop I can try it out on as well. That will be a whole new level of fun.

So, getting to know Ruby and how she gets along with my Mac and my SB Touch have been interesting. As always, computer audio for me is much more complex than putting a disc in the drawer, but I'd like to use it all since I have it, and some time to figure it out.

And just for CT, I am looking at the RPi option as my SB Touch gets quirkier and quirkier as it ages. Still sounds great, works most of the time, but loses connection every once in awhile and it gets annoying. I do love the clock though, and really miss it when it goes out (it's a great night light too).

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