Hey @MrNice,
Short answer
- Your Odroid N2+ Volumio setup is configured to try DoP in MPD, but the ALSA path and HDMI on this platform will not deliver a bit-perfect DoP stream to the Denon. The AVR expects native DSD over HDMI from a SACD-type source, not DoP wrapped in PCM. Result: pink/white noise with faint music is exactly what happens when an AVR plays the DoP markers as PCM.
What I verified in your log
- MPD is set to dop “yes” on device “volumio” which maps to ALSA device “volumioHw”. That part is correct for attempting DoP.
- ALSA config inserts a plug layer before the hardware. Quote in your config: There is always a plug before the hardware to be safe. Any format conversion or mixing by plug destroys the DoP marker pattern, so the AVR no longer sees DSD in the PCM frames. (alsa-project.org)
- MPD log shows mixer errors like No such mixer control PCM and does not capture an actual playback session, so it cannot prove a DoP stream ever reached the sink. That matches what you are hearing.
Why HDMI here will not give you DoP
- Denon states DSD is supported via USB or network playback, and over HDMI from a source device that outputs DSD, i.e. an SACD player. That is the native DSD-over-HDMI path, not DoP. AVRs generally do not advertise or decode DoP on HDMI because HDMI already has a DSD framing standard. (support.denon.com)
- DoP itself relies on a 24/176.4 or 24/88.2 PCM carrier with specific marker bytes. Any resampling, format conversion, or software mixer in the chain breaks those markers. ALSA plug performs conversions when needed, so the chain is not bit-perfect. (dcsaudio.zendesk.com)
What this means for your Denon AVC-X4800H
- The AVR is almost certainly fine. It will play DSD from front USB or over HEOS network, and it will accept native DSD over HDMI from a compatible disc transport. It does not document DoP over HDMI. Your result is therefore expected. (support.denon.com)
Practical ways forward
- Easiest: in Volumio, disable DoP and let MPD convert DSD to PCM at 176.4 kHz. HDMI will then carry clean PCM and the Denon will play it normally.
- Bit-perfect DSD path: use a USB DAC that supports DoP or native DSD, connect the N2+ to that DAC over USB, then feed the Denon via analogue inputs from the DAC.
- Use the Denon’s built-in paths for DSD: front USB drive or HEOS network playback for DSD files. (support-eu.denon.com)
- If you specifically want DSD over HDMI, use a player that outputs native DSD over HDMI, such as a SACD or certain Blu-ray players. The AVR will then show DSD as the incoming format. (Audioholics Home Theater Forums)
Optional sanity checks
- Play a 176.4 kHz PCM test file via Volumio over HDMI to confirm the PCM pipeline is healthy.
- Capture a fresh log while actively playing a DSD track with DoP enabled; but even with perfect logs, HDMI on this platform still will not produce DoP on the AVR for the reasons above.
Kind Regards,