Flac Streaming -> Confused

General Discussions
1

Hi,

I am very confused. I have a Yamaha R-N803 which supports DNLA and also airplay.

Which would be the best to stream my FLACs from my MacBook Pro?

When I use airplay on the iPad sometimes on the web app it shows as MP3 and sometimes on the amp it shows as Apple Lossless

How can I just simply stream my FLACs? Thanks

2

Enable the DLNA server in Plex Media Server to stream music in FLAC format without conversion. That should work for your Yamaha and other devices that support the FLAC format and have a compatible DLNA client.

The Plex Android/Android TV apps convert FLAC to PCM. Unsure if this happens for other Plex apps. See this thread for additional information:

3

Thanks, I can see the Plex Server but how do I actually stream it on the DLNA server (in this case my amp)?

4

Check the manual for your Yamaha. Look for a section on network audio, DLNA, etc.

I’ve a Denon. I pick the “Online Music” source on the remote, then navigate to DLNA, pick the server, then navigate to the desired music folder.

It definitely helps to have the TV on and use the on-screen display. It would be difficult to use just the front panel display on my Denon.

Procedure for your Yamaha should be similar.

5

Thanks, yes but can’t I just use the Plex App on iOS as a remote control to the network streamer?

6

Not and keep things in FLAC format.

Based on your OP, using AirPlay between the iPad & the Yamaha results in the music being transcoded to MP3 format.

Using DLNA essentially bypasses Plex. You’re not using the Plex client at all, and only a small portion of the capabilities of Plex Media Server.

Does Yamaha make an app to control the receiver? That might let you control things from your iPad.

7

Yes the have MusicCast but you can’t search for anything on the server and you have to go folder by folder which is not ideal.

8

One other option:

  1. Connect MacBook Pro to receiver via HDMI.
  2. Use Plex Media Player on MacBook Pro to play music/movies/etc.
  3. Use Plex app on iOS to control PMP on MacBook Pro (see Plex Companion).

For music, audio will be converted to PCM. However, since PCM is lossless, there should be negligible quality loss for the FLAC files. I believe the PCM will be at 48kHz/16bit, so any hi-res files (96/24, etc) will be downsampled.

You’ll need to configure PMP to send audio to the receiver, not the Macbook speakers. See this post for help with that (the post is about 7.1 audio for movies, but will work for music as well).

9

Thanks for this but my 803 doesn’t have an HDMI and I only use if for flac.

If you look at this: Are FLAC files streaming lossless or is it transcoding?

it looks somehow someone is playing “direct flac” via IOS. I just can’t seem to figure out how.

10

Pulled out my old iPad2 (which I thought was too old for this) and loaded up the current Plex iOS app, v5.12.1 (iPad2 running iOS 9.3.5).

It direct plays FLAC music files. I can use AirPlay to play the audio on my Denon 4300H. Plex still shows direct play. The Denon says it is receiving PCM 2.0.

So, it seems you can direct play FLAC audio. It will be converted to PCM, but there should be minimal or no quality loss.

Screenshot%20(264)

Screenshot%20(263)

11

Thanks, I’ll try that tomorrow, meanwhile I found this https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/glider-music-player/id1195350916?ls=1&mt=8

and it seems to be exactly what I need, It picks up all the files from the Plex Server and has a very nice layout and streams FLAC direct to the amp (not airplay) :slight_smile:
also it has the ability to search through all the folders and songs

12

Interesting. Thanks for pointing it out. Will give it a look.

13

This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.