I’m using a Mac Mini as a the Roon core (SSD). I’ve recently turned into a server - all I want it to be is be a Roon Core. The core is right next to my Directstream DAC - I want to go into the DAC using the USB connection. I have physically plugged it in and the Mac does recognise the DAC but, the only way to get sound out is to have the volume on 100 and it sounds rubbish. I’ve probably not ticked something? What are the best settings within Roon please to get the most out this setup?
I’m using a Mac Mini as a Roon core. I’ve recently turned into a server - all I want it to be is be a Roon Core. The core is right next to my Directstream DAC - I want to go into the DAC using the USB connection. I have physically plugged it in and the Mac does recognise the DAC but, the only way to get sound out is to have the volume on 100 and it sounds rubbish. I’ve probably not ticked something? What are the best settings within Roon please to get the most out this setup?
Many thanks
Chris.
Hello @Christopher_Barber — Welcome and thanks for reaching out!
Getting started, I’m hoping you can do the following:
Provide a screenshot of Device Setup for this Zone
Provide a screenshot of the Signal Path when playing to this Zone
Do you experience any issues with any other endpoints, like System Output?
Also, fixed volume; does that mean I can now only control the volume directly with the DAC rather than the Roon app on my tablet? What’s the point of that - sq reasons or is that the only way if it’s set up that way?
As with many things in life, it all depends on what you want, and there are trade offs. Yes, fixed volume means you are sending a static volume and controlling it further down the chain, for me I control it at the amp level with my amp’s remote.
Why? Well, SQ is one. While Roon claims to have a very good volume control, some like me, feel it is better handled in the hardware domain. Some feel convenience overrides any SQ benefits. Once again, you should try both and see which you prefer.
Next while you might not find any SQ differences, it does change the signal and if you wanted or needed true bit perfect output ( i.e. DTS, Full MQA DAC processing, DSD); then you need to leave it at fixed.
If you haven’t, I think you should review the following: https://kb.roonlabs.com/Audio_Setup_Basics and see what Roon has to say about Volume Control ( about halfway down the page).
Use Device Controls causes Roon to pass volume commands on to your device via the device’s driver. Exactly what happens next varies from device to device. If your device advertises a high-quality volume control over USB, it’s likely that this is the setting that you want.
DSP Volume uses Roon’s built-in 64bit dithered volume processing. This is a high quality option, but should not be your first choice for hardware that provides volume control natively.
Fixed Volume disables volume control from within Roon, sending a fixed-level output signal to the audio device. Use this setting if you plan to control volume elsewhere–for instance, on your pre-amplifier or AV receiver.
