Help with upgrading...Digital vs Analog

Roon Software Discussion
1

Looking for advice. Current setup:

Router> Ethernet> Nucleus Server with Portable HD
Router> Ethernet> Sonore microRendu> USB> DAC Oppo 105D (ESS 9018)> Tube Amplifier Line Magnetic Audio LM216IA > B&W 683 S2

Next Step - Would I see significant SQ improvements selling the microRendu and replacing with Chord Hugo TT or Upgrade tubes 12ax7 &/or KT88

The digital step would cost significantly more and anyone that has done this I would love to hear your thoughts. Alternatively tube rolling the Line Magnetic to higher SQ tubes would that be the path ?

Thanks

2

I have no doubt that the Chord Hugo TT DAC would be much better than the DAC in your Oppo 105D. However, the Hugo TT is just a DAC and does not incorporate a streamer/renderer. You would still require a streaming/rendering device such as your microRendu or similar in conjunction with a Hugo TT DAC.

3

Thanks for the reply. Obviously ttill understanding the chain lol

4

If you wanted to, you could have your setup be:
Router>Ethernet>Nucleus>USB>Hugo TT. That obviously would require close proximity. But if you want to keep the Nucleus removed from the system you need the microRendu as an endpoint.

1 Like
5

This is exactly the set-up I use, and it’s sublime IMO. HIGHLY recommended!
With a USB connection to the Hugo TT, the microRendu becomes redundant.

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6

Offcourse it will sound good, but removing the Nucleus physically from the audio chain (aka introduce a quality streamer, matching the rest of your system) will have a significant improvement on the SQ.

Nucleus, NUC or any other computer system will introduce significant noise in the audio chain. Generic computer systems are not designed for this purpose.

7

What you say makes sense in theory, but in practise it’s not as simple, or as ‘black and white’ as that.
There’s nothing wrong at all in connecting a Nucleus via USB to a DAC. And in my experience, this combination sounds just as good as my other, Ethernet-connected/isolated Roon endpoints.
Maybe the Hugo TT is especially immune to electrical noise?

8

YMMV, in my case it made a significant impact. Roon advises to keep the NUC/Nucleus out of the signal path for the exact same reason.