30 December 2015

UPnP with Devialet - Thanks to MELCO!

Devialet devices can't play UPnP/DLNA music natively, but connecting a MELCO N1 system adds this feature, allowing playback of various formats and streaming services like TIDAL and QOBUZ via controller apps.

Hi-fi products from Devialet are currently not able to play music from UPnP/DLNA sources over the home network by themselves. However, with a MELCO N1 system, you can easily add this functionality to your setup. All UPnP and DLNA sources, music stored on the MELCO system, as well as all USB hard drives connected to the MELCO system, are then available for playback through your Devialet component.

UPnP with Devialet and Melco – Here’s how it works

Your MELCO N1A or N1Z connects to your network and can then access all UPnP servers available on it. This includes all popular server solutions such as Twonky Server, Asset, or MinimServer. You can access these servers and the music stored on them simply via the LIBRARIES or SERVER section in the control app you use for your MELCO system. The MELCO system acts as a UPnP player in this case and is simply connected to the Devialet component with a USB cable. No further settings need to be changed on the MELCO system. You can play PCM files up to 384kHz/32 bit and DSD files up to 5.6MHz. Once you have connected the Devialet component to your MELCO system, this will be indicated accordingly on the display. Your MELCO system now appears on the network as a UPnP player or renderer under the name N1-xxx-Devialet. If you now connect a UPnP controller app (such as Kinsky, PlugPlayer, or similar) to this player, all available libraries, including the music stored on the MELCO system itself, will be displayed.

UPnP connection with Devialet via Melco showing IP address 192.168.0.110 and active DSD playback. — UPnP connection with Devialet thanks to Melco: IP address 192.168.0.110 is displayed. DSD playback active.

Melco N1-MAX enables UPnP with Devialet via USB Audio 2.0 for seamless Hi-Fi integration. — UPnP with Devialet thanks to Melco: N1-MAX plays via USB Audio 2.0. Perfect integration for hi-fi enjoyment.

Selecting the Melco N1-MAX connected to a Devialet component in the Kinsky controller app from Linn To play music, you need to activate the USB input on the Devialet component. You can control the input and volume using your Devialet remote. For music selection and playback control, use the controller app of the MELCO system.

Devialet amplifier display showing "USB" as input on the left and volume at -40.0 dB on the right. — Display of a Devialet amplifier: On the left, the screen shows "USB" as the input source, on the right, the volume is displayed at -40.0 dB.

Select the USB input on the Devialet using the remote control. You also adjust the volume via the Devialet component, while playback is controlled through the controller app.

Music libraries

Your MELCO system works seamlessly with all UPnP media servers. However, the scope, preparation, and display of metadata depends on the UPnP server you use. In addition to the music libraries available on the network, the local music server of the MELCO system (N1-xxx: Music Library) will also be displayed. There you will find all music stored on the MELCO system itself, including your own imports, downloads from your Highresaudio account, and the contents of connected USB hard drives. If you use an Android device to control the MELCO system, it is also possible to use streaming services such as Tidal or Qobuz. (see below)

Devialet amplifier connected to Melco playing high-resolution DSD audio at 2.8MHz via USB Audio 2.0. — Devialet amplifier in use with Melco: High-resolution DSD stream at 2.8MHz via USB Audio 2.0. Perfect sound for music lovers.

When you play a track stored directly on your MELCO system, the display shows the title, format, and sampling rate of the track. (This is not possible when playing from other UPnP servers.)

Formats

In combination with a Devialet component, you can use all formats supported by your MELCO system. These include PCM files up to 384 kHz/32 bit, DSD files up to 5.6MHz, as well as the formats AIFF, AIFF-C, AAC, ALAC, DSF, DSDIFF, and FLAC. (Your Devialet component is compatible with all of these formats, so no transcoding occurs during transmission. The entire system is therefore 'bit-perfect'.)

Controller apps

To control your MELCO system, you use a UPnP controller app, which is available from numerous providers for Apple and Android devices. There is a fundamental distinction between apps that save playlists on the app itself (UPnP, mode 0), and those where the playlists are saved on the MELCO system (OpenHome, mode 1). Depending on which app you use, you can set the corresponding mode on your MELCO system: Settings >> USB-DAC >> Controller >> Mode0 or Mode1

Selection: Apps Mode 0 (UPnP)

8player
Mediaconnect
AudioNet Music manager (playlists with more than 10 tracks only after in-app purchase)
mConnect Free
AudioRemote
BubbleUPnP
SmartPlayer
MyMediaHub

Selection: Apps Mode 1 (OpenHome)

Kinsky
Lightning DS (also mode 0)
Lumin
BubbleDS
ChorusDS
PlugPlayer (also mode 0)
SongbookDS (also mode 0)
Melco APP (in development)

Playback of Tidal and Qobuz

If you use an Android device to control the MELCO system with a controller app such as BubbleUPnP, you can also use the streaming services Tidal and Qobuz with your MELCO/Devialet system. If your network is connected to the internet, you can simply launch Tidal or Qobuz on your Android device. Once you are logged in to your streaming account, it will appear in the CLOUD section of the controller app. If you then select the player N1-xxx: Devialet in the controller app, the Tidal music selected on your Android device will play through your MELCO/Devialet system.

Rear view of a Devialet amplifier showing various audio ports including USB, optical, and coaxial connections. — Rear view of a Devialet amplifier with various audio connections, including USB, optical, and coaxial. Perfect for use with a Melco streamer.