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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
painter24's avatar
painter24 OP
214 posts
 

@mike_in_nc hi Mike, I agree, definitely worth a try. I like what I see so far with regards to bringing Qobuz and Tidal in to one interface, along with suggestions etc, plus easier sorting. The other draws are the DSP elements.

I'm not sold yet, but as you say, I'll use it constantly while the trial lasts. My PC with Roon installed is upstairs in my office; my system is downstairs, but I wired out most of the house in cat6a a few years ago.

I like it so far; what I wasn't expecting was the slight improvement In SQ up sampling to 24/192, music that is 16/44.1 in Qobuz and Tidal. Nice surprise

jrwaudio
332 posts
 

I have the Audiolab 6000N streamer that has DTS PLAY-FI interface with lots of streaming apps l listen to Qobuz  I like that it can be rack mounted also

I control everything from my smart phone The Audiolab has a pretty good internal DAC but l bypass it as l have the Exogal Comet plus DAC 

oldrooney's avatar
oldrooney
178 posts
 

Auralic recommends using a wireless connection for streaming in order to cut down on EMI/RFI noise which surprised me. I always thought wired was best, but, like you, I’m learning new tricks which is tough for an old dog. 🙂

painter24's avatar
painter24 OP
214 posts
 

@oldrooney I can definitely relate to that; old dog, new tricks 😁

I've read that re; Auralic recommending wifi over wired; I gave a difficult time getting my head around this, as I like the solidity and tangible connection ethernet gives. But again, that's probably my old school mindset 😁

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). 

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