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
I agree. Roon is very very confusing. To be honest, while it is cool to discover different "versions" of albums or songs, I am not really taken by Roon. I find the BluOS operating system to be much better. I tend to just use that most of the time.
I suspect you will see a huge difference when your new DAC arrives. Like a kid at Christmas!
Have a wonderful journey! |
Painter24 - the following article explains what Roon Certification involves. If you stay with the application you are currently using the processes described in the article will be performed by your Roon Core computer in conjunction with the Node as an endpoint. https://help.roonlabs.com/portal/en/kb/articles/roon-ready#Overview There is a possibility that your DAC will work directly with your computer without the streamer involved at all. You could check with the manufacturer if they have tried it.
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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). |
