WAVELIGHT SERVER

Functions and Outputs

The Wavelight audiophile music Server – or the WLS – is your perfect source partner for Wavelight/Wavedream dacs, or just any dac, especially if equipped with a I2S input. In addition the I2S output, USB, AES/EBU, SPDIF, and optical output (Toslink) are available.

WLS resolves a few important aspects of a modern audio setup. It virtually eliminates the need for a computer holding your core server; will eliminate the need for a strong CPU to perform PCM to DSD transcoding; and eliminate the need for a storage server. All these features are included into a sleek and stylish package, visually matching the Wavelight DAC.

Internal Structure

The WLS combines a few key elements for server-based digital audio playback: a linear power supply, a low TDP computing system running custom Linux, a highly efficient FPGA / DSP system for audio management.

Software and User Scenarios

The WLS will manage to transcode between formats on hardware level, without overloading the CPU. Therefore, it’s heat and RFI emissions will stay low, without bad influence on audio circuitry.

The WLS has the ability to let you choose from a variety of server software and audio services including Roon, MPD, LMS and so on. There are many use scenarios, the device can be used as core, or can be used as renderer or endpoint.

Storage

Wavelight Server was designed to host your music. From a basic 2TB to a maximum of 16TB of internal storage, it can keep internally thousands of music albums in high-quality, uncompressed format. Additionally, WLS has 3 USB ports, where you can connect external storage, and/or a NAS (Network Attached Storage) can be defined as music source for WLS.

Control Interface

The WLS has a powerful control interface that can be accessed via local browser or control app. It allows the owner to manage internal or attached storage, select active software or services, select upsampling or transcoding parameters, select I2S output setting for DAC compatibility, rip cd’s to local drives, enable room correction etc.

WLS is fully upgradable and future-proof. Both operating system with services and FPGA (audio hardware) can be easily updatable via internet.

Hardware Specifications

Server Architecture:
Processor (CPU):	High-efficiency 2/4 Core low-TDP (Thermal Design Power) computing platform
System Memory (RAM):	8 GB high-speed RAM
Internal Storage:	Scalable options from 2 TB up to a maximum of 16 TB solid-state storage

Audio Engine & Clocking:
Digital Audio Hardware:	Dedicated AMD 7-series FPGA architecture
Master Clock System:	Dual Crystek CCHD-957 ultra-low phase noise femtosecond oscillators

Power Architecture:
Power Supply Type:	Pure, low-noise linear power supply network
Transformers:	Dual heavy-duty toroidal transformers (isolating server and audio stages)

Connectivity:
Digital Input:	Gigabit Ethernet (LAN)
Digital Outputs:	Proprietary I2S (optimized via HDMI interface) AES/EBU (Balanced XLR) S/PDIF (Coaxial RCA) Toslink (Optical) USB Audio Class 2.0 (Note: Upsampling parameters are not applied to the USB output)

Software Specifications

Current Release (Available Services):
Roon Server:	Native integration to act as a primary Roon Core destination.
Music Player Daemon (MPD):	High-efficiency local library indexing and playback daemon.
Roon Bridge:	Dedicated network audio endpoint integration for Roon ecosystems.
UPnP AV Renderer:	Universal network protocol rendering for seamless media streaming.
OpenHome Renderer:	Advanced network streaming architecture with gapless playback and playlist management.
HQPlayer NAA:	Network Audio Adapter node for advanced offboard upsampling and hardware modulator processing.
AirPlay Renderer:	Bit-perfect wireless stream receiving for iOS and macOS devices.

Upcoming Deployments (In Development):
Logitech Media Server (LMS) Core:	Integrated hosting for open-source multi-room audio architecture.
CD Ripping Engine:	Automated, bit-perfect optical disc archiving directly to local solid-state drives.
Room Correction Software:	Sophisticated digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms for acoustic environmental optimization.
Direct Streaming Services:	Native, integrated API clients for major high-resolution cloud music platforms.
Internet Radios:	Curated global web radio directory and streaming module.