9 posts were merged into an existing topic: SSD for the Nucleus and how to rip CDs for it
Of coarse they would say that, they want to sell you something. My question to you is, are you strictly a digital guy or do you have an analog source too?
If you are strictly digital, you don’t need a preamp, you can go straight from a quality dac to your amp.
For your digital, you don’t want to use usb, it’s a flawed protocol. Also, you don’t want to have a computer (any music server is just a computer) in your audio room. Get the best network based dac you can afford (Ethernet), a computer with decent # of cores and 16G of ram to run Roon, a good amp, good quality cables, and you will have a system that is simpler with better sound quality than the alternative. If you don’t want to bother with doing computer work, get the nucleus
What flaws in the USB protocol are you referring to?
Yes, I’ve love to know the answer to that too?
I use USB to my Chord M Scaler/TT2 with stunning results.
2 Likes
There can be issues in respect of specific USB DACs and galvanic isolation.
For example, I achieved subtly better results by using a Gustard U12 between my sonore microRendu and my Chord Hugo1. I have since switched from the Hugo to a Mytek Brooklyn+ DAC, and no longer use the Gustard.
I recall that Rob Watts suggested that the Hugo1 was originally designed exclusively for use with headphones as a portable device, and so additional spend on aspects of the design such as galvanic isolation were not considered to be necessary. I am pretty sure that the Hugo2 and desktop DACs such as the TT & TT2 are not similarly constrained.
The Hugo 2 isn’t galvanically isolated via USB.
Only the Hugo TT’s are galvanically isolated, together with the Qutest, and DAVE & M Scaler, of course.
Okay - maybe something for prospective Hugo2 owners to consider if they plan to use their DAC as a USB DAC with their main home system.
Disagree with almost everything you said.
The OP already has a pre-amp and he wants to use it. There are SQ benefits to good pre-amps that aren’t available with a DAC to amp connection.
DAC designers, for the most part, design their devices with USB in mind. In the past USB might have been less, but now most DACs are jitter resistant.
Agree about moving the server out of the listening room, but one doesn’t need an Ethernet DAC to do that. Ethernet DACs are few and far between.
A waste of money; 8GB is enough to run Roon on all but the largest libraries.
Another waste of money. Any cable that is up to spec is acceptable. I recommend Blue Jean Cable.
3 Likes
I recently bought the Nuc plus (large library - more functionality to multiple rooms/sources). I have a Bluesound Node 2i in my rack that select (Control 4) to play music to multiple zones in/outside my home (currently 13). I also have a high end DAC (PS Audio Directstream) that is connected to the Nuc plus in my 2 Channel listening room. The quality of the DAC chips going in (or being upgraded remotely) to other players like OPPO 205 or even Control 4 server make it hard to hear an audible difference. That being said, I love my PS Audio equipment.
I’ve got a Schitt Gumby and use an Oppo 205 as my endpoint wireless streamer from the Nucleus. Tried a direct Nucleus to Gumby (version 5 USB) last night after reading this thread using Meze Empyrean cans. Result?
Nucleus direct to DAC significantly reduced both the sound quality and musicality vs the Oppo. Flattened soundstage, instruments homogenized into a whole vs the 3D presentation of the Oppo, much less punch, treble extension… I didn’t even try swapping in my Auralic Aries G1 because that streamer kills my Oppo in sound quality.
I guess if you want to save the money on a streamer going direct from the nucleus to a DAC will save you some cash. But it will Likely be at the cost of sound quality and getting the best you can out of Roon.
So what you’re saying is you prefer the sound signature of the Oppo 205 vs the Gumby. How does that have anything to do with USB vs wireless? Your post suggests you’re comparing the connection types (USB vs wireless) when in fact you’re also comparing two very different pieces of equipment for playback.
1 Like
Absolutely agree! 
No I’m sorry I wasn’t clear. I am feeding the Roon signal out of the Oppo into Gumby (co-ax), NOT using the internal Oppo DAC (which does not sound as good as the Gumby). Yes there is a variable because I am going directly out of the nucleus into the Gumby over USB versus nucleus wireless to Oppo then over coax into Gumby. But Schitt did a lot in their version five USB solution to get USB sound quality up to par vs coax etc.
I would love to not have to spend the money on a streamer and have one less piece of gear in my rack. But I do think streamers bring something to the table sound quality wise and that certainly was confirmed in my experiments in my own system.
[Moderated] I prefer to go with quality. Maybe blue jean cables is all you system needs, but there are much better cables for the better systems. In my background music systems throughout the house, blue jean cables might be ok. But you have guts to make a blatant claim that a cheaper cable is all that somebody would need. I have a better claim: the Dan D’Agostino amp for $60,000 is all you need! This is more realistic because 99% of audiophiles will never need more, whereas, your claim is only 1% accurate. Also, what are your specs for a cable that makes it acceptable? Is it the blue color? Maybe it has to be red? 5 9’s copper? WBT terminations? Use your ears, or use somebody that has good ears pick 1 out for you.
I don’t care if only a few manufacturers build network dacs, I want the best and I will spend the extra $$$. Also, you will need to spend money on a good ethernet cable, your Best Buy patch cable won’t suffice.
The difference from 8G to 16G is $100, again you are going cheap. And how do you know 8G is fine? I’m using over 9G of ram on my Roon server. Go with 8G to start but check your system status on a regular basis to make sure you aren’t paging, which affects your whole computer. Also, I have 9 Roon endpoints so if you have multiple different streams going on to multiple endpoints, check your system status to make sure you have enough system resources.
USB has many many flaws. Instead of me telling you what they are, go out to dozens of manufacturers that build USB products that TRY to make it better. You can spend $100 to a few thousand $$ to try to make it work, on top of a good $1000 USB cable. If you can’t or don’t want to use ethernet to your dac, then use I2S, again, far superior over USB. I know, not many dacs provide this, but your better 1’s do
Interesting. I’m not sure how the addition of the Oppo 205 would improve sound quality, but if it sounds better to you, that’s all that matters. Edit: Sorry, I didn’t mean that to sound condescending. I am in full agreement with you that what works for you and makes you happy is what matters. Since I can’t hear your system, I’m not entitled to an opinion.
1 Like
I guess I’m curious if you have tried streamers vs Nucleus direct to DAC in your system, and if so did you do any critical listening. On loudspeakers with room interaction perhaps some ears wouldn’t notice it - there are people who can’t tell the difference between 256 kbps mp3 files and 24/96. It’s easier to discern the differences on good quality headphones - but as you said, enjoying the music is the most important thing no matter what your gear is.
[Moderated]
Then I guess this is a waste D’Agostino’s design chops.
https://dandagostino.com/products/momentum-preamplifier.php
You should post a picture of your setup here. Many people like hifi porn, myself included.
2 Likes
I’m quite aware of the vast array of add-on stuff one can buy to try and fix various perceived problems with USB, which doesn’t prove that the perceived problems actually exist so much as it does that people like to spend money on gadgets. So, I’m still keen to hear what flaws in the protocol you think are significant and justify that kind of expenditure.
By the way, I’m assuming by “protocol” you mean something above the physical layer.
2 Likes
[Moderated]
Still would like to see a picture of your HiFi chain.
2 Likes