I am using a single Intel NUC with ROCK OS installed to run multi-channel inputs on Denon receiver for whole home audio. Each output is assigned as Kitchen, Office, Pool, Workout room etc and works perfectly with Denon outputs going to each room (Front, Rear, Surround, Surround Back). The reason for my new topic is I want each USB output to have individual DAC’s which are Roon compatible or is there a better way to achieve this? My $50 Audirect Atom2 is detected by Roon but crashes on setup.
The market is flooded with small USB DAC’s for MQA below $100 each but none I can confirm are MQA compatible being I primarily use Tidal Hifi. Or possibly there is a single DAC with multi-channel input/output?
SCL6 is an approach for Bluetooth, not network streaming, so not sure it applies in your use case.
What I am trying to understand is your approach to multiroon and wanting a DAC for each USB output. Are you referring to the output on your NUC ROCK or on the Denon?
Yes, the USB output from the NUC would require a DAC for each USB port (4 total). My intention is to be capable of playing different music in every room. There is no comprehensive list of DAC’s which are compatible with Roon, only a few high end or Dragonfly which are still >$200 each.
I am confused about the whole setup and what your Denon does, exactly. The usual way to do this with Roon would not be by long USB runs but to have a Roon Ready networked endpoint in each room. This endpoint can be a range of things from a commercial streamer/DAC combo with Roon Ready status down to a cheap Raspberry Pie running Roon Bridge software and connected to a DAC. It can even be just an old laptop or even an old phone running Roon; I have a phone in the bathroom, networked by wifi and with a 3.5 mm cable to an old TV soundbar.
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Bill_Janssen
(Wigwam wool socks now on asymmetrical isolation feet!)
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Bill, pretty much any modern USB DAC will work with Roon, and they’re down to about $100. Something like the Topping D10s or E30 II would be what I’d use. SMSL and Schiit both make good inexpensive DACs, too.
The point about long USB runs is a good one, too. I believe you’re limited to about 15 feet.
I think that’s the spec but have read from people where it works with 5 and 10 meter long ones - but then it depends on the situation, interference, luck, etc., I guess.
Nevertheless, network is more the preferred Roon way and makes more sense for longer distances as it’s more reliable (and if one can run long USB cables, running network cables instead is probably not a problem)
The NUC is actually only 2 feet from the Denon amplifier, I would be running 4 3.5mm to USB cable from each USB DAC only 2 feet into the multi-channel input on stereo, this stereo has speaker wires ran into every room of the house going to a volume switch at each room. The speaker wire output uses individual channels (Front, back, rear, rear surround) with 130 watts per channel.
Confusing but it is possible to use a single NUC ROCK to provide independent signals for each room and play different songs in each room. The alternative would be to have a separate amplifier and ROCK for each room. In addition I could utilize the HDMI audio output and analogue for a total of 6 channels if needed.
Seems, you’re more after a budget solution, so, as stated by others, even 10$ USB dongle to 3.5mm headphone DACs will usually work out of the box.
Volume may even be controlled from Roon via device or DSP volume, which would help spare you excessive power dissipation in your passive volume controls.
An interesting approach. Roon R.A.A.T. will recognize multiple DACs connected to the same Output device. I’ve had good luck with this when running Roon Bridge or Roon Server (YMMV when using “Roon Ready” devices). Each DAC shows up as a separate “Zone”
The challenge is that MQA Renderer DACs at below $100 tend to get their power from the USB host. For example, the S.M.S.L. SU-1:
Power draw from the host is up to 5 watts each. If you connected three of these to a NUC, there may not be enough bus power to keep them all running. The Topping E50 solves this problem, but at a much higher price point (also does full MQA decoding on the USB input, not just rendering). Or you could try a bunch of SU-1’s plugged into a powered USB hub. I just worry that you may encounter annoying dropouts if there are bandwidth issues. I’ve had good luck with this powered hub:
Thanks for your feedback and recommendations, I have Roon on Synology server so this NUC running ROCK should have no issues with playback of multiple streams. I like the suggestion of using powered hub, I have plenty of these Sabrants and they do work flawless! Might be ordering one each of the suggested DAC’s to test out!