At the beginning I hoped and thought the essence of streaming is an open standard. I also understand the support problem of an open standard and the Apple-like strategy to avoid it. I just hoped that maybe only Octave is limited to the proprietary software (however good it is) and the alternative Bridge product still serves an i.e. end user-unsupported DLNA option (not only a by then outdated product, Bridge II)
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Oh wellā¦just discovered a possible solution in my setup;
If the Melco is online with a DAC usb-connected the Melco/DS combination is visible/selectable within the list of available renderers in BubbleUpnp
Just to clarify ā¦
OK Bridge III will not support DLNA, but am I correct in assuming it will support UPnP?
David
Bridge III will not support UPnP or DLNA. Both are, in our opinion, flawed protocols and one of the reasons people still get spotty connection with Bridge II. Remember that UPnP/DLNA is only a means of announcing itself on the network and communicating with like minded apps. It has nothing to do with Quboz or Tidal, or any of those streaming services.
It does mean that Minimserver and BubbleUPnP wonāt communicate with Bridge III but that is what Octave is for.
Lucky to own a Melco with DLNA/UPnP support. With the Melco usb-connected to whatever DAC the Melco/DAC combination is recognized and selectable as renderer in BubbleUpnp, which makes possible to stream whatever I chose staight to the Melco. The Melco receives the incoming signal and will send it to both usb- and ethernet output after treatment and reclocking. I presume connecting the Direcstream to the Melco with both usb and ethernet and selecting Bridge III as input in the Directstream should work fine as Bridge III will only receive the pure audio signal.
Aside of the different features of library software, maybe this is also a bit unusual for me as an IT guy, because Software/applications are usually meant for use on different platforms or hardware.
To me the hard connection of a proprietary library software to a streamer is as if Iād have to use a proprietary operating software depending on the PC make I buy. This would mean a change in user experience and a data export/import every few years. But probably most music server offers use their own software exclusively, too, and thereās not much competition offering open interfaces.
That is the Apple approach, and one I have come to appreciate. Software designed for the āmassesā when it comes to hardware platforms rarely ends up well. Good, bad, or indifferent, purpose-built software for a predetermined set of hardware is a more reliable solution - providing the software is properly designed and implemented. There is nothing that leads me to believe PS Audio will not do it proper.
Thatās absolutely true. I also appreciate the Apple approach as long as smartphones and tablets are concerned, because I only have very basic demands here. I even see the Apple PC approach positively for non IT affine folks, teachers, journalists, creative workers etc.
Iām also convinced that PSA will make a great implementation.
Apple just never made it into the industry, simply because (aside of the price) there are too many interfaces, functionality and software support missing. The Apple approach works when convenience rules over functionality and flexibility, as it does for the mass with standard demand but high expectations regarding simplicity.
Iām maybe a kind if āindustryā user of streaming/library software, thatās why I prefer more flexibility, efficiency and functionality than i.e. Roon offers.
But maybe Octave combines the simplicity in design and ease of use with basic demands of i.e. Roon with the flexibility, efficiency and functionality of i.e. Jriverā¦hard to imagine but that would be perfect. Still a change/migration for all users, but a positive one for everyone then.
Paul McGowan saidBridge III will not support UPnP or DLNA. Both are, in our opinion, flawed protocols and one of the reasons people still get spotty connection with Bridge II. Remember that UPnP/DLNA is only a means of announcing itself on the network and communicating with like minded apps. It has nothing to do with Quboz or Tidal, or any of those streaming services.
It does mean that Minimserver and BubbleUPnP wonāt communicate with Bridge III but that is what Octave is for.
Thanks for the clarification Paul.
This leaves me in a quandary because I cannot justify spending $5000(+??) on a server to gain an improvement in sound quality over that I get from Bridge II when I already have all the functionality I require from my NAS/MinimServer and control point/BubbleUPnP combination. So I guess to improve SQ I would need to buy a high-quality stand-alone renderer to convert ethernet audio to an input format compatible with the DS DAC. Rendering to flavour-of-the-month USB is available (e.g. Sonore) but Iām not sure whether the DS USB input could give an SQ improvement over Bridge II. Rendering to I2S would probably be the best but there is no standard there. I canāt find a current high-quality renderer with SPDIF output - I have the original Sonore Rendu but would probably need to seek out a discontinued Signature version to match the SQ of the Octave/Bridge III combination.
Of course all this would be moot if PS Audio produced their own renderer Ethernet-to-I2S, incorporating the necessary elements of the Octave server, in a small box at circa $2000. Iām sure such a box would find a ready market in other owners of the DS DAC who are happy with their existing server setup.
But Octave software will be part of Bridge III, you donāt have to buy the server and you can still use your NASā¦
Exactly. Just upgrade to Bridge III when it comes out and youāre good to go. We donāt need UPnP/DLNA to connect to your NAS. Itāll connect just fine and then you have a legit music management program (Octave) to not only control and manage the NAS, but to connect you with the artists, and music in a way youāve likely not yet experienced. I promise you a good ride with this one. Itās going to be awesome.
Thanks (again) for the clarification Paul
Iām obviously confused between the PS Audio server hardware and the Octave software.
Iāve now read the earliest posts and see that Octave will be the control software for Bridge III.
You say the Octave software will handle the music āmanagementā. Will this have any additional functionality beyond control (choice of music track, compilation of playlists, start, stop pause etc.)?
You can also stick with Bridge II with your DS if you want to continue using DNLP/UPnP software. I donāt know how long Bridge II will be officially available after Bridge III is introduced but Iām sure PSA will continue to support it (PSA doe snot abandon old hardware like some companies do). There will be tons of used Bridge IIās on the market once Bridge III is released. Whether PSA will continue to offer DS Jr with Bridge II is another question (I suspect not because it just complicates things but Iām just guessing).
Hi all,
I have the bridge II and wonder if it is limited to DSD64. I looked at other streamers on the market and it seems that all of them have the same limitation.
Is it an ethernet/internet limitation?
To Paul, will bridge III allows streaming of DSD128,256 or 512?
Bridge II is limited to DSD64. DSD has to be transmitted to the Bridge as DoP files that look like PCM files. DSD64 is sent as files that look like 176/24 files. DSD128 would need 352/24 equivalent and the Bridge tops out at 192/24. (Note that DoP files are in fact true DSD files (itās just that they need to be packaged like PCM files to be sent over UPnP).
I donāt yet know what the limitations of Bridge III will be. Sorry. Still working hard on the interface and the hardwareās been slower.
Wow, Iād been unaware of the Bridge III until I just stumbled across it in another DirectStream thread. I can understand PSA feeling the temptation/need to undertake server software. But my reaction is disappointment. Iād much prefer PSA put that massive effort into things that other companies canāt do. Like maybe supplement Tedās efforts on fgpa coding now that we see what a huge difference these OS updates make.
I like that PS Audio is doing both. 
I think Ted is best left to work his genius by himself. Bridge III isnāt just server software, as I understand it is also the server itself on a card. I think this is well within PSAās wheelhouse and Iām hoping they can do a better job putting it all together than others have managed. I donāt think this is just another āme tooā product.
Paul McGowan saidYes, of course. Itāll also have multiple USB 3.0 inputs to connect USB drives too.
Paul ,Would their also be a Toslink connection input ?