ELAC Discovery to Nucleus upgrade—need help/input

Audio Gear Talk
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I’ll try to be concise, but in a nutshell I’ve been using an ELAC Discovery server and Roon Essentials for about 5 years that served my needs well, serving mostly MP3s in 2 zones, but now am expanding to 4 zones and higher resolution, mostly via Tidal and Quobuz for now. I’m also making upgrades across the board in all 4 zones in the process. I’ve spent MANY hours reading scores of threads on the forum, trying to sort out as much as possible on my own—the info here was invaluable and quite educational. Fortunately, I had 5 years using Roon “lite”, so had a decent basic understanding of Roon architecture already.

I’m planning to add a Sonicorbiter i5, probably ordering tomorrow, to host my Roon core. In addition, I’m looking at adding a Benchmark DAC3 to the mix, so my questions mainly revolve around these.

First, on the sonicorbiter, there is no real advantage to using a Roon Nucleus instead, kind of a six of one, half dozen of the other kind of thing? My music collection is small and other than planning to do some room EQ within Roon to tax the system, it sounds like the Nucleus with the lesser i3 CPU would be more than sufficient? I do want a turn key option, so sounded like these two best met that need.

My plan was to connect the Benchmark DAC3 directly to the Roon core via USB with the Sonicorbiter. I know from research on the forum that this is possible with the Nucleus, so assume same with a Sonicorbiter? That eliminates the need for a renderer in between.

The main primary system in my living room would then be Benchmark DAC3 feeding my Benchmark AHB2 amp. Right now I’m using the Eversolo DMP-A6 internal DAC to feed the AHB2, streaming Tidal/Qobuz hires from the onboard streamer—no need to run through ELAC/Roon Essentials for this. This is sounding so good, I’ve been dragging my feet on the Benchmark DAC3. That said, I don’t want to leave much or anything “on the table”, so worth trying the Benchmark DAC3 to find out. I was surprised how much the AHB2 improved the sound compared to the amp in my TOTL flagship AV receiver and an Emotiva amp on hand, I decided the matching Benchmark DAC3 was a must try. I’m a “value” kind of guy, and the Benchmark AHB2 was not cheap (by my standards for sure), but worth every penny.

My other question is whether my ELAC Doscovery can be repurposed as a Roon endpoint? I saw a thread in the forum suggesting that is possible, but no details given. It has digital outs to feed another DAC, verified to be passing 24/192 by testing it feeding a digital input on the Eversolo DMP-A6, plus the ELAC internal DAC actually sounds pretty good itself.

I could go on about details on the other 3 zones, but think that is pretty well sorted out. My main concern is getting the primary zone with the Bemchmark DAC/Amp set implemented properly, getting as much from that combo as possible.

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Which DAC3 are you purchasing? I have the HGC model. It is connected to an Aurender server via USB and SPDIF COAX; the DAC3 HGC passes through to KEF LS50, You can set the BenchMark DAC3 to receive USB/coax/toslink, and pass through to another component via SPDIF by changing an internal jumper. I would contact Benchmark on the phone. Support and technical guidance on the Benchmark products is excellent. Ask for Rory.

I also have a Nucleus Plus and it serves as my Roon Core. I installed a 1TB SSD for music storage. It is connected to the system only via Ethernet cable. I have multiple endpoints which are connected via Ethernet cable or mesh Wi-Fi.

Small Green Computer @agillis can help you with Sonic Orbiter. The Nucleus was a great solution for me. my iMac core continued to be a headache, and the Nucleus + really cleaned things up for me.

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The sonicTransporter i5 is faster then then standard Nucleus so that is a good option for you.

Both the Nucleus and sonicTransporter have “standard” USB ports. These will work with your DAC and sound better then the ports on a computer or laptop because of the simple fanless design of both units.

But you would get better sound from your DAC using an ultra clean USB source such as an ultraRendu (Roon Ready streamer) from Sonore.

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I used to have a Discovery and it worked well as an endpoint. You just have to stop running Roon Essentials for it to be seen by Roon Server.
I’ve still got it, but it’s been boxed up for a while now whilst I decide what to do with it.
My recollection of it was that it sounded very good, as you have found. With the various outputs and ability to work as a server in its own right, I thought it was a pretty good device. Shame Roon Essentials didn’t work out.

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Robert, thanks for your thoughts. In response:

Im looking at the DAC3 B—seemed to have all features needed for my situation. I already contacted Rory but he is out for holiday vacation. He was very helpful when I had a noise issue with the AHB2, resolved when I switched to balanced XLR in and out by using my Eversolo DMP-A6.

Nucleus + seemed to be overkill for my modest needs. My library now is only 3600 songs and can’t imagine ever going beyond maybe 10,000.

The main zone in my living room is all in one cabinet with my router/ethernet nearby—other 3 zones are all via WiFi.

Sonicorbiter looked like best option with the extra i5 power/speed vs i3 in the Nucleus, but again, my system needs seem modest and either would seem adequate. I just realized my local audio dealer is a Roon dealer, so inquired about if Nucleus in stock—try to support good local businesses when it’s an option. If not, Sonicorbiter seems like the way to go.

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Thanks for the clarification on sonictransporter capability to connect DAC3 direct to core via USB. I am aware that direct USB to Core vs an intermediate streamer is a hotly debated topic and was trying to not get into that fray. It just seemed that given the core streamer appliance was adjacent to the DAC, direct USB avoided the cost of an additional piece of gear. I’m not opposed to something like an ultrarendu in between, and with limited knowledge on the different connection options, I’m keeping an open mind. I am considering a Bluesound node as an end point on another zone, but the ultrarendu is a little different animal. I’m all for something like the ultrarendu you suggest, popular with many on the forum, as long as the improvement is audible vs direct USB core connection. Uh Oh…looks like I got in the fray a bit…

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Thanks for the info, Matt. It served me well for years, doing everything I needed, basically providing some background listening of my “jukebox” in poolside zone and in my garage zone. It was a cheap entry point into trying out Roon, which I do like a lot. Now with 2 additional zones and upgrades in all 4, time to move to full Roon. The ELAC Discovery was a great unit for the money, surprisingly good analog outs sound and 24/192 output capability. I’ll definitely put on the shelf for possible later use as an endpoint.

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I went ahead and ordered a Sonictransporter and the ultrarendu to try both direct core USB connection to the DAC3 and with the ultrarendu streamer in the middle. Andrew said to try both and just return the ultrarendu if no noticeable sonic difference between the two connection methods.

I’m still waiting to confirm the B version of the Benchmark DAC3 is all I need since Roon will be controlling the volume. Maybe the L is a better choice with the addition of a volume control and analog inputs—never know when you might want those capabilities in another situation? Price difference is small.

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Might be worth getting the HGC headphone model with remote, It’s a decent headphone amp, and only a bit more expensive. Gives you more flexibility, and a capable device if your needs change.

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I think the middle “L” model does everything the HGC model does except lacks the headphone amp, something I know would never be used. Well, I should know better than to say never in this game. I don’t use headphones inside ever, only some noise cancellation ones outside when mowing or running noisy power tools. Just not a headphone guy.

It does make sense to have the ability to run an analog input and have a volume control (plus a remote) even though the only anticipated use is with Roon, so the middle “L” seems prudent just in case. Now, if the HGC had a balanced analog in, that would be another story. I better go make sure that top HGC model doesn’t add that feature…

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Just to chime in. I have had the Discovery for 3 1/2 years, ran it as the core exclusively for at least a year and then started full Room and run the Discovery as an endpoint. The Discovery can run as a core and an endpoint the same time as I can be streaming from full Roon to it one minute and stop and then open Roon Essential to play music from it.

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Ahhhh….think I’m getting it now…

So, I can simultaneously run full Roon on the Sonicorbiter and Roon Essentials on my ELAC Discovery? The Discovery would still show and operate all my current zones while the full Roon would find and operate all the same zones PLUS show my Discovery as an additional zone? Not sure why I’d have any use or need to use the Discovery as a server, but would be a versatile endpoint with all the output options.

That brings up a related question:

My intent was to connect my Benchmark DAC3 (coming next week) directly to the Sonicorbiter (on the way) via USB, but Andrew at SGC suggested I might get better results connecting via the Ultrarendu than direct to Roon core, so I’ll give that a test run too. Since my Discovery has a digital out, I could also use it as an end point and connect direct to the DAC3. I’m pretty new to the nuances of all these digital streaming connection schemes, so don’t know if this would have any downside. I’ll pose that question to Rory at Benchmark for his input.