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Use with Linux
In USB Audio 1.0 mode the Stream Magic 6 will work with most Linux distributions,
allowing the playback of audio up to 24-bit/96kHz.
Newer Linux distributions (e.g. Ubuntu 10.04) support USB Audio 2.0 for which
the Stream Magic 6 should be switched to USB Audio 2.0 to accept audio up to
24-bit/192kHz.
For both cases because Linux distributions vary according to their creators' choice
of software components, including drivers, it is not possible to guarantee operation
and Audio drivers may need to be loaded.
‘Class drivers’ for generic support of USB Audio Class 1.0 or USB Audio Class 2.0
devices may be available from the Linux community, we do not supply these.
Bit perfect transfer – ASIO and WASAPI Exclusive mode
The Stream Magic 6 USB interface hardware and software support bit perfect
transfer.
Whether or not the audio sent to the Stream Magic 6 is bitperfect (i.e. not resampled
or mixed etc. by the PC) is actually a function of the playback application and the
operating systems audio engine.
By default the standard windows audio drivers (often called WDM drivers) included
in Windows XP support MME or DirectSound transfer, both of which include a
kernel mixer and re-sampler stage.
One way round this is to use ASIO to bypass this. Another is to use a playback
application that supports its own form of kernel streaming, i.e. if has its own way of
outputting the audio without invoking the kernel mixer.
For Windows Vista and Windows 7 a new method of audio transfer is supported
called WASAPI. This has two modes; Shared and Exclusive. Shared mode is similar
to MME or DirectSound but in Exclusive mode the kernel mixer/re-sampler is
bypassed and bit perfect transfer is possible with only one audio playback program
directed to the soundcard at a time (for instance system sounds are not mixed in).
To ensure bit perfect transfer use a playback application that supports ASIO,
WASAPI in Exclusive mode (if you have Windows Vista or Windows 7) or some form
of kernel streaming.
This is a fast moving area so we would encourage you to check the web for the
latest media players to support these more audiophile playback options.
To use ASIO you will need the Cambridge Audio Sound Driver installed and the
Stream Magic 6 switched to USB Audio 2.0.
No further settings are required as the driver automatically supports ASIO transfer,
all that is required is to load and setup suitable ASIO enabled playback software.
ASIO (Audio Stream Input/Output) is a non Microsoft audio driver protocol for
Windows originally invented by Steinberg ltd ASIO bypasses some of the normal
audio path from the playback application through the Windows audio system
(including the Kernel Mixer) for a more direct path to the Stream Magic 6.
You will need to install and use a suitable playback application that supports ASIO
output either natively or via a plugin. One example of such an application with a
suitable plugin is Foobar, see
http://www.foobar2000.org
for more details.
BT100 and Blutooth Audio streaming
The Stream Magic 6 is compatible with the optional BT100 Bluetooth adaptor
from Cambridge Audio.
When a BT100 is plugged into the rear USB socket an extra menu item called
Bluetooth appears in the Digital Inputs menu.
Selecting this allows the Stream Magic 6 to receive wireless Bluetooth audio
from most phones/tablets and laptops.
Both the standard SBC CODEC and newer high quality AptX CODEC are
supported (if the sending device supports it).
Contact your dealer for details.
Optional BT100 Bluetooth adaptor (not supplied)
When connected to your Stream Magic 6 this adaptor allows the Stream Magic 6 to
receive BluetoothAudio (known as Bluetooth Advanced Audio Distribution Profile or
A2DP). Contact your dealer for details.
The BT100 supports Bluetooth A2DP using either the original SBC encoded form or
the latest higher quality apt-X encoded form.
SBC and apt-X refer to the encoding used over the wireless Bluetooth interface only
and not the format your music may be in, which can be any type that your phone/
laptop or other playing device supports.
Your playing device plays your files then re-encodes the playback before streaming
it to the BT100 in one of these two formats.
Many phones and laptops now feature Bluetooth with A2DP. SBC should be
supported by all such devices (it is the madatory format for A2DP).
apt-X is optional, so check if your sending device supports it, if you wish to achieve
the highest quality audio transfer.
Note:
The BT100 declares that it can handle both SBC and apt-X to the sending
device which will then use whichever version it supports.
What is apt-X?
apt-X is a high quality CODEC (CODer/DECoder) i.e. a way of compressing audio
data so it can be sent over a link such as Bluetooth then decompressed on the
other side (if both devices support it).
If your Bluetooth audio source does not support apt-X, the BT100 will fall back to
using the standard SBC CODEC that is supported by all Bluetooth audio devices.
BT100 controls and connections
A. Pairing button/Status LED
Button performs pairing and related functionality. Integrated LED indicates BT100
status.
B. USB plug
Streams high quality USB audio into your Stream Magic 6 USB socket.
C. Extension Cable
Allows the BT100 to be positioned for accessibility or optimal wireless reception.
A
B
C
