🎵 Professional Audio Player with Native DSD Support
ClementineDSD is a specialized fork of Clementine optimized for Direct Stream Digital (DSD) audio playback through direct ALSA hardware access. It provides pristine audio quality for serious audiophiles and DSD enthusiasts.
- Direct playback of
.dsfand.dfffiles via ALSA (SND_PCM_FORMAT_DSD_U32_BE) - Hardware-level audio control for maximum quality
- Optimized audio engine architecture specifically for DSD files
- ALSA exclusive mode enabled by default
- Direct hardware access bypassing audio servers (PulseAudio/PipeWire)
- Clean audio transitions without processing artifacts
- Automatic device auto-probing for DSD-capable hardware
- Fully rebranded as "ClementineDSD" throughout the application
- Version identification: "ClementineDSD 1.4.2 dsd"
- Unique desktop integration and file associations
- Download the
clementinedsdexecutable from Releases - Make executable:
chmod +x clementinedsd - Run:
./clementinedsd
git clone https://github.com/KalGeo/ClementineDSD.git
cd ClementineDSD
# Quick build with included script
./rebuild.sh
# Or manual build
cmake -S . -B bin
cmake --build bin --target clementinedsd --parallel $(nproc)For optimal DSD playback:
- Enable ALSA Exclusive Mode: "Use ALSA hardware device (exclusive, no Pulse/PipeWire)" ← Pre-enabled
- Select ALSA Device: Choose your DSD-capable DAC from the dropdown
- Configure Audio: Ensure your audio equipment supports DSD over USB/PCIe
# Force specific ALSA device
export CLEMENTINE_DSD_ALSA_DEVICE="hw:2,0"
./clementinedsd- Linux with ALSA audio support (
alsa-lib) - Qt 5 development libraries (for building from source)
- DSD-capable DAC (USB Audio Class 2.0 or PCIe audio interface)
- DSD audio files (
.dsf,.dffformat - uncompressed DFF only)
- DSD Audio Enthusiasts - Native
.dsfand.dfffile playback - Professional Audio Users - Direct hardware control and clean audio path
- High-End Audio Setup - Optimized for audiophile equipment
- Linux Audio Professionals - ALSA-exclusive audio control
- Seek: Supported for DSF/DFF with DSD boundary alignment
- Pause/Unpause: Hardware pause when supported via ALSA
- Position Timer: Accurate playback position tracking
- Stereo Only: 2-channel output (no multichannel DSD yet)
# List available ALSA devices
aplay -l
# Example output:
# card 2: MyDAC [USB DAC], device 0: USB Audio
# Use hw:2,0 for this device- No Sound/Device Busy: Close other audio applications using the DAC
- DSD Not Detected: Ensure your DAC supports native DSD (not just DoP)
- Audio Artifacts: Verify file integrity and try another DSD sample
ClementineDSD creates separate settings from upstream Clementine, ensuring no conflicts with your existing configuration.
- Release Notes - Complete feature overview
- Technical Docs - Detailed technical documentation
- Known Limitations - Current constraints
Contributions are welcome! Please:
- Fork the repository
- Create a feature branch
- Make your changes
- Test thoroughly with DSD hardware
- Submit a pull request
This project follows GPL-3.0-or-later (same as upstream Clementine).
- Built on the excellent Clementine Player
- ALSA integration based on Direct Stream Digital specifications
Enjoy pristine DSD audio playback with ClementineDSD! 🎵✨
Optimized for audiophiles who demand the purest possible audio experience.