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Ideal Connection path to a dac?

Right now I use a desktop for Roon. Desktop is connected to internet via Ethernet cable from a router. An Ethernet cable connects router to a blueprint node 2i and then to a chord dac via optical cable. And than I use rca cables from dac to a preamp.

is there an advantage of getting the Roon nucleus device and not using a desktop, and then dumping the bluesound node? I like idea of direct usb connection between Roon nucleus and chord dac.
emergingsoul

Showing 1 response by erik_squires

erik_squires
16,649 posts
 
The one issue I've run into is galvanic isolation on the USB is not always there.  If you go that route, try an inexpensive USB isolator.  Not all DACs will work, and it may not benefit all systems, but

That is, USB can cause ground loops of the analog and the digital kind.  The first causes audible hum, the latter jitter. 
I like the distributed system of the Roon ecosystem, which lets me run a core in a closet, with a Raspberry Pi streamer next to the DAC.

ASRock has some very interesting mini PC's out right now, barebones ~ $300 at New Egg.  Add storage, memory and an OS. This would make an ideal Roon core server, which will run on a free OS like Ubuntu 20.
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