Core Machine (Operating system/System info/Roon build number)
Windows 10.
Network Details (Including networking gear model/manufacturer and if on WiFi/Ethernet)
Audio Devices (Specify what device you’re using and its connection type - USB/HDMI/etc.)
NAD D3045 via USB.
Description Of Issue
Roon cannot recognize my D3045 and understand that it must be Roon [Tested] or Roon Ready Certified in order for Roon to apply proper settings. I have contacted NAD to try and get them to move ahead with certification but they seem to be avoiding the issue.
The NAD D3045 has been on the market for some time and I would like to ask if there has been any correspondence between Roon and NAD regarding certification. It seems to me that certification would benefit both parties.
You seem to misunderstand Roon Ready and certification. Roon Ready only applies to networked devices (ie. devices with an ethernet input). Only Roon Ready devices require certification. The NAD D3045 doesn’t have an ethernet input. Ergo…
If your Roon Core doesn’t recognize your NAD via USB, it must be a different issue altogether. What do you see in the Roon settings under Audio?
The proper settings for the NAD D 3045 are not difficult. IIRC, over USB, it supports 24-bit PCM up to 384 kHz. Native DSD256 is possible with the Windows driver, but I never tried it. Not sure if it’s ASIO or WASAPI, but Roon does a decent job of detecting, so you’re probably safe with the defaults.
It supports both MQA Rendering and Decoding, but I recommend leaving Roon’s MQA Core Decoder enabled… better division of labor that way.
Really, all that you’re missing is the pretty icon in the Roon UI. Otherwise, I would not sweat the lack of “Roon Tested” certification. If it really bothers you, keep bugging NAD. It’s their responsibility to push this through if they care about it.
Hi Bart; Thank you for getting back to me. Under Roon Audio Settings, I see 3 choices…(1) system output, (2) Nad D3045 usb asio, (3) Nad D3045 usb 4.41 wasapi. Numbers 2 and 3 I have installed drivers and named myself because Roon couldn’t recognize the D3045. I am using #3 with wasapi and Nad 4.41 driver. Please understand that I primarily stream music through Tidal and am really happy with the sound reproduction.
My issue is that it has taken me months of trial and error to come up with the correct settings for the best sound. It has been my understanding that all of the trial and error over the past months could have been avoided if Roon was able to recognize my Nad D3045 which I purchased because it has a highly capable built in DAC. Previously I was using another amp with a Dragonfly Cobalt Dac which Roon instantly recognized.
Thank you and don’t forget to keep smiling.
Hi David; I’m quite happy with my current settings and my issue concerns the month’s of trial and error that I went through because Roon couldn’t recognize my Nad D3045. I contacted Nad and pointed out that in my point of view, device recognition by Roon, is a big selling feature for all audio products. Nad’s reply completely avoided the issue. In that Nad already has 18 of their products listed in Roon, I just cannot understand why they seem hesitant to do anything with the D3045.
Anyhow as I said, I’m happy with my sound. I just wanted to make things a little easier for other D3045 user’s.
Thank you for your time and don’t forget to keep smiling.
I totally get what you’re saying. I have products from Allo and HiFiBerry that I’d like to see listed. I had great luck getting Orchard Audio to submit their DAC for Roon Testing, but uneven luck with other manufacturers.
This interview is a good read to gain a better understanding of what’s required for a device to become Roon Tested or Roon Ready:
A manufacturer has to send examples of each product to Roon Labs. These products will not be returned. I don’t know why NAD would not be willing to do this…I would imagine that they are large enough to absorb the cost. However, my observation is that neither NAD nor Blusound have been great partners with Roon or helpful to Roon users. Until this changes, I’ll continue to point Roon users to manufacturers who are more friendly to Roon.
My only concern/objection to your post is that you imply that Roon is somehow at fault for failing to include the D 3045 as a Roon Tested product. Roon Labs can’t assert that the NAD D 3045 is “Roon Tested” until NAD sends them a unit for testing. As far as I know, this has not happened. Blame for the nine months that you had to spend in trial and error belongs at the feet of NAD, not Roon Labs.
I do think it would be cool if Roon provided a way for users to make community submissions of settings that work well that others could import…with the understanding that these configs are community supported and may or may not work.
Hi David; Thank you for your explanation regarding requirements for product testing. It really wasn’t my intension to point fingers at Roon or Nad, In that Nad already has a considerable number of “Roon Ready” products, I had thought that Nad and Roon had a relationship where new products were being submitted on a regular basis. I now have a better understanding of the test/certification process and thank you for that link.
I like your idea of making a list of settings available for non-listed products that other people are using.
Thank you once again and don 't forget to keep smiling.
I cannot get the D3045 working via USB either (though it works fine via Chrome Cast Audio (toslink).
I have the NAD 4.41 WASAPI driver installed (also ASIO shows up), and though neither works in Roon, I get Windows system sounds no problem via USB…strange!
Hi Bill; Sorry to hear you’re having a problem with D3045. I managed to get mine working without too much difficulty, it just took a bit of time trying various combinations. I’ll try and help you.
My settings are as follows…
1…usb output from computer to Nad usb input
2…Nad output source set as “computer” (make sure wasapi usb 4.41 driver is properly installed)
3…make sure your pc is set as “core”
4…open "settings’ (you will probably see a few output options) …enable “nad usb 4.41” as system output.
5… click on the gear icon (in the "nad usb 4.41 window that you just enabled), and open "device setup for “nad usb 4.41”
6. my settings are…
private zone NO
exclusive mode YES
dsd playback CONVERT TO PCM
mqa capabilities DECODER AND RENDERER
volume control DSP VOLUME
click on “show advanced” and set as follows
max sample rate (PCM) UP TO 384 HZ
max bits per sample (pcm) 24
clock master DEFAULT
mqa decoder NO
enable event mode NO
force max volume NO
work around devices that misrepresent YES
multi channel mixing DOWNMIX AS NEED
The above settings work for me and allow full decoding and rendering for mqa as well as “lossless” playback for all other formats.
Hope this gets you up and running.
Getting everything right can be a little frustrating but it’s certainly worth the effort.
Don’t forget to keep smiling.
Best regards,
Cary
Thanks, Cary
I already had nearly identical settings as yours, but it still doesn’t work even when made 100% identical. I even updated to the most recent firmware for the unit. Perhaps someone at Roon Support can help? No big rush or anything, as Chromecast works fine!
