Extremely saturated sound with ROCK and USB DAC

[anon47792771]

Hi
I’ve got my Roon ROCK is running on an Intel NUC5i3RYH. It is connected to my router via Ethernet cable. I connected my NUC to my Atoll HD100 DAC via USB, nothing else is connected. There are 1598 tracks in my library.

The issue is that when I play a track, the sound coming from the DAC is terribly distorted and saturated. I already rebooted the Nuc few time, network too, the USB DAC too.

[Menzies-Old]

Hi @anon47792771

Welcome to Roon

I’m just a fellow Roon user.

It helps if you complete the support template.

First thing I’d try though is rebooting your Rock, network and try again.

Roon Core Machine

Networking Gear & Setup Details

Connected Audio Devices

Number of Tracks in Library

Description of Issue

[anon47792771]

Thanks. Edited regarding the support template. I already rebooted the network and the Rock, it didn’t solve the issue.

[Menzies-Old]

@anon47792771

Atoll HD100 DAC

This might be of interest to you.

USB DAC Problem

USB could be the issue

[David_Gibson]

@anon47792771

Atoll HD100 DAC

Alternatively, you can try a USB to SPDIF adapter.

[anon47792771]

The issue is exactly what this OSMC user describes. I will try to install Arch and run Roon Server instead of Rock when I’ll have free time. Thanks for your help !

And if doesn’t work, I’ll use my Spdif usb interface which works well with Roon.

[Bill_Janssen (Wigwam wool socks now on asymmetrical isolation feet!)]

@anon47792771

The issue is exactly what this OSMC user describes.

I don’t know about that. The HD100 is not a USB-powered DAC (like a DragonFly). The power line on the USB port should not affect its operation. I’d check the USB cable, first. Try a different cable. Thinking about it, I bet that’s what happened when the OSMC guy added the powered hub – he used a different cable.

[anon47792771]

So, I found the solution. In fact, the Atoll HD100 itself is not usb powered, but the board that handles USB connection is. I forgot to mention that I’ve installed my NUC in a fanless case, which was shipped with a bigger power supply than the original. I finally tried with this power supply and the issue is gone. So it seems that the factory power supply of the NUC was just too weak to power asked by the Atoll USB

[Bill_Janssen (Wigwam wool socks now on asymmetrical isolation feet!)]

@anon47792771

the Atoll HD100 itself is not usb powered, but the board that handles USB connection is.

Really? Wow, intriguing design decision.

Apparently the power capability of the NUC USB ports varies all over:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000095257/intel-nuc.html

[anon47792771]

Yes, when USB is connected to a computer a green LED lights up on a board, and that whether it is powered or not, even if it’s not connected to main. intriguing design indeed.