Hello, I have read some old info on this sub ject and wanted to see what may have changed.
So I currently have a Integrated with a built in DAC, NOT ROON anything AND no network connection. I also have a SonicTransporter as my ROON Core. I also have a Lumin U1 Streamer for ROON. Current connection Sonic Transport to my network, the Lumin U1 to my network, USB from Lumin U1 to the USB DAC in my Integrated, everything works fine, all reports back on DAC and Lumin as full DSD or less…
This said, if I brought in a Mcintosh MAC7200, I first assumed it all would work the same way. BUT now read that the MAC7200 is ROON Tested, that seems a duplication of the Lumin. I setup everything for ROON in the Lumin. This sounds like a potential problem ? Should the MAC7200 USB act just like the current USB DAC ?
Also I read somewhere that the MAC7200 USB is problematic ? Has there been updates ? Since there are no network connections on the MAC7200 how can any updates happen ?
The MA7200 would be a drop-in replacement for your current integrated. No redundancies. Your Lumin will perform the same role it currently does, that is, it will take the network traffic (music data) from your Sonic Transporter and send it over USB to the integrated’s DAC.
Also, I have never heard the MA7200 USB to be problematic.
In regard to updates to the MA7200, they are performed by an authorized dealer using a special cable. Both the unit itself and the DAC can have separate firmware updates.
I own a MA8900 which has the same DA1 DAC as your MA7200, I have had 0 issues over the 6 years or so of owning this unit. I use it as an alternative to my Denafrips DAC, both connected via USB to the same Mac.
The DACs inside McIntosh MAC 7200 cannot run native DSD resolutions connected to a Linux OS device. That DAC needs a Windows based PC running the ASIO drivers to do full native DSD resolutions.
Otherwise you will be running DoP. Which is fine. But, something to consider before purchasing.
Thanks DDPS. I have to look stupid here and ask where am I using a Linux based OS device ?
That is still something I cannot wrap my head around DoP vs. Native DSD. Currently ROON, Lumin and Denon Anniversary Integrated USB all read DSD 2.822MHz when playing a DFF DSD64 file. Are we saying the MAC7200 cannot do that ? Or is that also DoP and not Native ? How do you know ? So there is no way to get Native DSD from the MAC7200 unless being feed by a Windows based computer ? I gather overall reading a few things
Seemingly many of these Integrated talk only about using the built in USB with a computer, which I do not and it seems to work properly.
Maybe I need to go back to something like the Lumin D2 and use it’s DAC, with a Integrated without the DAC.
And you cannot get DSD type files thru the digital coax ?
The Lumin is running a form of Linux. All it means is that the top DSD bitrate that the DAC can handle would be halved if using DoP. So you might only be able to play DSD128 Max (double DSD), whereas with Windows, you can play DSD256. What are the top DSD formats you have in your collection? DSD64 (2.822MHz) is standard SACD format and can easily be handled with the MA7200 and your Lumin using DoP.
No, it’s not - other than the reduction in top bit rate. In fact, for many DACs, it presents an advantage, in that if you happen to shuffle mixed-format content, you will not hear clicks and pops at the beginning or end of DSD encoded songs as your DAC switches modes, and your DAC will not get confused and occasionally generate white noise if it gets confused when switching from PCM to DSD, as happens with more DACs than you’d like to know.
Yes you will, and it will be unadulterated, pure DSD. Here’s a nice overview from a third party:
And, if you ever decide to purchase an inexpensive Windows box, on which you install Roon Bridge and the McIntosh MA7200 DAC drivers, you can do native DSD256 - if you ever want/need to.