I recently set up an SOtM sMS-200 (hard to keep those cases straight) to use as a Roon bridge/endpoint, connected to my Core (MacMini running Roon Server) via Ethernet. That’s in the office, while the audio equipment is in the living room.
I used to have another Mac Mini as the bridge, feeding three different USB DACs. Because it accepted multiple USB cables I was able to switch between three DACs, according to whatever worked best with the source: 1) Schiit Modi Multibit; 2) iFi Zen (MQA); and 3) Maverick TubeMagic D2 (which only handles up to 24/96). They all have distinct qualities and it’s fun to match different combinations with different amps, speakers, and DACs.
The Problem: The sMS-200 has only one USB output. I tried using a USB hub, for the DACs but had no luck because Roon couldn’t find the DACs when I did that. Could I set up a Raspberry Pi as a bridge/endpoint and plug the three USB DACs into that? Any other ideas? Thanks…
The sMS-200 has got one USB dedicated to Audio, but will accept DAC’s on the std issue USB ports also. However, it’s software will only allow one audio path at a time. So, you must go into eunhasu.local config, under Roon and select which DAC you want to use.
That said, a std issue Raspberry will do the same and ALSA will find all compatible DACs and present them to Roon simultaneously. It will not sound quite as good though.
Thanks for the suggestions. I will tinker some more. In my previous set-up (with a now retired second MacMini running Roon Bridge) I could switch DACs by choosing them within Roon, by activating the appropriate Zone. I’d hate to have to open up eunhasu.local in a browser every time, but I’ll see what can be done.
AceRimmer
(Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!)
6
Just a thought…was the USB hub you tried powered or not?