Searched for ROCK with spdif/toslink out. I understand that it’s best to separate core and endpoints, want to minimize equipment at the outset.
Situation/use-case summary below:
Current: Roon core on i7 Windows 11 laptop, couple of headphones, chromecast via google-tv, arc in car, Chord Mojo2 via USB-C out from Windows for the headphones
Tidal streaming primarily
I want to free up the windows i7 laptop and minimize spend on total additional equipment for short term, hence looking at ROCK.
Since majority of listening is on headphones or via the google-tv/chromecast, thought is to get a ROCK with optical/spdif out to the Mojo2 for the headphones, and a roon endpoint eventually to replace the chromecast on the google-tv setup.
Any recommendations for ROCK with toslink/spdif? (want to use that instead of usb to mojo2 if possible)
I’m not sure that that is even possible. ROCK is built to support Intel NUC hardware - and they don’t have a spdif/toslink interface. So I suspect that ROCK will not have the necessary software drivers.
You could try installing ROCK on a MOCK device and see whether it would work…
Like the Mac mini models of old, some official Intel NUC variants do have combined headphone and mini TOSLINK female connectors. However, I do not know which models do. I believe that they are primarily older and lower spec. Someone would have to determine if any overlap with the Roon supported list.
Hi @AMT, Thanks for replying. Yes, the Mojo2 does support usb and that is how I am currently using it with the laptop.
Toslink preference is driven primarily by a) desire to avoid electrical noise vs USB and b) a part of the following discussion where they both cite a preference for toslink
When away from home, I use my Dell laptop Roon core with RAAT via WIFI to a Raspberry Pi 4 running RoPieee. I have usb from the RPi4 to Chord Mojo2 and Moon Black Dragon cable to Focal Clear headphones. I don’t know how it could sound any better.
You could use USB from a NUC to RPi4 or WIFI if capable or with a dongle.
Even if a NUC has a toslink out (I’m not an expert on Intel stuff) I do not think it will be supported in ROCK. The beauty of ROCK is that its pretty bare bones. There are lots of inexpensive ways to do conversion to spdif…especially with a Pi. Happy to help if you need it.
Thanks for the galvanic isolation direction @mjw . Apparently this reviewer still did feel a need for external galvanic isolation when connected directly to a PC via USB?
Thanks. This seems markedly close to my current headphone setup. Swapping laptop with NUC out via wifi/usb to rpi4 seems ideal, dongle as a fallback/temp minimal-equipment solution potentially. Dongle may not sufficiently isolate the noise (not studied up)?, and the rpi bridge/endpoint just seems more flexible/standard. Hmm.
To be precise, the reviewer measured a little more noise without the isolator but it occurs at minus 110-120 dB. The reviewer didn’t write that this made him feel the need to add an isolator in practice. (Maybe he did but we don’t know because he didn’t write it.) Minus 110 dB at 7+ kHz is most likely completely undetectable for human ears in any practical situation. You can always add one if you care.
It is perfectly feasible to have ROCK with SPDIF output. The key would be to add a DDC to the machine running ROCK and that can be done relatively cheaply if you look at budget Chinese brands. Any DDC worth its money will provide a decent degree of isolation from the USB source. Adding an alternative and optional power supply would further enhance that.
I wasn’t going to post these based on what @mjw correctly advised me. Most probably won’t have driver support within Rock. Roon server on say Ubuntu Server or similar might, just might.
After having tried an experiment using coax with the Mojo2, whilst there may have been a tiny improvement over USB, I did find that it doesn’t stay in desktop mode and will automatically power off.
If you are okay with turning it off and on every time you use it, coax or optical is fine. If that will irritate you, stick with USB as it will keep it in desktop mode.
But for the amount of effort you will put into finding a NUC with an optical out and get it working, the USB implementation is still excellent. I may have been imagining the difference.
You could always use an iFi or Audioquest don’t on the USB.
Some time ago, I listened to an interview with Rob Watts where he explained that he uses high-speed RF isolators.
However, I may have incorrectly assumed he was talking about the entire current range, and the Mojo2 may not have such isolation. Nonetheless, measurement-wise, as @Suedkiez points out, is negligible.
I use a Roon Rock with USB bridge. The USB bridge is a Singxer Su-6 which has Spdif/toslink and I2s. I use the I2s output. LIked it enough that I also use a USB bridge for my headphone setup. Ropiee endpoint feeding a Singxer Su-1 where I use Spidf output. Used NUC 7i3 is under $200 and used Su-1 can be had for around $200.
