2. digital
  3. 176397-163317

Roon/Bluesound Node - adding new DAC (non Roon-Ready)

Hi guys, 

I'm currently at the start of the 14 day trial of Roon; Roon is running on my PC in a wired network, using my Node as endpoint, with the remote app on my android tablet. 

All good at the moment, I'm enjoying using it, but in the next couple of days I'll be taking delivery of a new DAC;  it isnt a mainstream DAC, it's a built to order unit from a tiny, 2 man company here in the UK. I don't think they even ship their units outside of the UK, so I doubt they Roon-Ready.

I will be slotting in  the new DAC via SPDIF/Coax to my Node; my question is, how will the new DAC fit in to the processing stream if not recognised by Roon?

I'm obviously new to Roon so please forgive my ignorance. I've tried looking online, but I'm still not clear how the system will work after adding the new DAC, or if it will work at all? 

For reference, the DAC is from a company called NJC Audio, and is the NJC Reference DAC. It has no software/drivers, and is plug and play. 

Thanks for reading

128x128painter24

Showing 2 responses by tk21

tk21
237 posts
 

re: wired vs. wireless.

Depends on what problem you're trying to solve. Many home systems use a combination of wired and wireless. 

Lately I typically play music upsampled to DSD 512.  HQ Player performs the upsampling on the same music server that hosts Roon Core (a sonicTransporter i9).  My Network Audio Adaptor (a little ultraRendu box, which sits between the server and my DAC/preamp) requires an ethernet feed (with USB out).  However, I do have a fast wireless backhaul between my Orbi cable modem and the satellite/router attached to the hifi rig, and also use WiFi between my usual Roon controller (a laptop) and the endpoint.

No noise problems (none that I notice anyway). 

tk21
237 posts
 

Is the DAC in the Node doing the DA conversion, or is my PC/Roon doing the conversion, and the Node acting purely as the analogue out? 

Your PC/Roon Core does not do DA conversion.  It sends a digital signal out over your home network (which cannot handle analog signals). The Node has its own DAC chip; it can output either digital or analog signals to downstream devices. Presumably, you want your new DAC to do the DA conversion.  So, you want  the Node to feed the DAC with a digital signal via S/PDIF (toslink/optical) or via USB (if your Node is the latest version and your DAC has a USB-B input). Your new DAC converts that digital signal to analog, then passes the output downstream (to your preamp or integrated amp).  You also can connect the Node directly to a preamp or integrated amp (or powered speakers) via an analog RCA cable connection. 

The DSP options within Roon Core have nothing directly to do with D to A conversion.  They perform functions such as upsampling or parametric equalization. The output is still a digital signal (unless the Roon Core happens to be running on some device that has its own DAC and analog output).

More to discover