How to get DSD working in a networked (Roon) setup?


Dear,

I recently received a few DSD albums and would love to play these.

In the manual of the T+A MP 3100 HV, I read
"The MP 3100 HV can be used as a high-quality D/A converter for other devices such as computers, streamer, digital  radios etc. which are fitted with poor-quality converters or no converter at all. The MP 3100 HV features two optical and two electrical S/P-DIF digital inputs on the back panel to allow this usage.

A USB-DAC input on the back panel permits to use the MP 3100 HV as D/A
converter for computers.

At the USB DAC IN input the MP 3100 HV accepts digital PCM-encoded stereo
signals with sampling rates of 44.1 to 384 kHz (32-bit) and DSD data with
sampling rates of DSD64, DSD128, DSD256* and DSD512*."

To use the T+A MP 3100 HV to play DSD files, I have to connect it to a PC using a USB cable? Is my understanding correct?

I have all my music on a NAS in the basement. I use Roon to play (flac) files on my stereo. Is there no other way to get DSD to play?

Ideally, I would prefer to add a device in my network to play DSD. 

This "USB DAC" truly puzzles me. 

Thank you for your advice.

128x128koenvingerhoets

Thanks for your feedback @erik_squires . I've a NUC for Roon (the ROCK setup), doesn't it require more power than a Pi4B can deliver?

The challenge here is that my DSD collection is very limited and kept on a USB stick. Would Roon see the stick and be able to push DSD to the "USB DAC" gate?

I ordered a 4-pack of micro SD cards so could give it a go :)

Ah, I see the confusion.

I specifically mentioned it was an endpoint. My Roon server is another box with more cpu capabilities. The Pi is just for the Mytek. All my audio library is on a separate PC which runs the Roon core server.

 

You should just get a better roon endpoint, like a DAP that will play those DSD files without issue. Something like an Astell Kern Sr25 should do the trick and not expensive for what it offers sonically speaking. 

Just to close the discussion: I ended up buying an Eversolo DMP-A6 Master Edition and an SSD drive. Works like a charm, looks splendid and being able to store all DSD files on it is quite handy.

Favourite SACD by far: KRAFTWERK - Minimum-Maximum. How "Radio-aktivität" sounds, that's simply impressive.