Nucleus One HDMI out to Marantz AV7706 theater processor: Marantz does not see or play a dsd file (dsf.). Soft, pink noise is heard. When Roon PCM conversion option chosen, roon folds it down to stereo. Roon/Nucleus One - HDMI will not carry dsf. multichannel. I require real DSD . I require multichannel. (OPPO105-HDMI plays multich DSD fine - recognized by the Marantz). What do you suggest I do?
Describe your network setup
All wired: Cable Modem to Netscape Orbi RBR50 built-in router - one line to Nucleus One (new) and one to Marantz AV7706.
Short answer: You can’t play native DSD through HDMI from a PC (Windows, Linux, iOS) and so you’ve let Roon convert it to PCM.
What you can do (if you need really DSD and you don’t use any DSP in your Marantz → Marantz will convert it to PCM):
buy a multichannel Roon endpoint with HDMI out like the Eversolo DMP-A6
buy a multichannel Roon endpoint with analogue outputs like the exaSound S88
I’m using for DSD multichannel the Eversolo and also the exaSound e68 (together with a mini pc as Roon bridge and upsampling to DSD256 for multichannel). The exaSound sounds for me much better…
In the Roon Settings - Audio - Device Setup for the Marantz, select the Show Advanced and scroll down to the Channel layout. It should be set to 5.1 or 7.1 for multi-channel playback with Multichannel mixing set to Downmix as needed. With that setup Roon will play the channels in the files as is, MC or 2 channel.
I don’t recall where the DSD option is in the setup but it appears you have it set to DSD over PCM (DOP). That could be the issue with the Pink noise you mentioned. My Denon does not handle DOP and I don’t think Marantz does either so that should be set to Convert to PCM and not DOP.
When I play Multi-channel DSD files from my NUC/Rock to Denon AVR-X8500H Roon converts DSD to PCM with MC or 2 channel.
Bottom line here is Roon doesn’t play DSD over HDMI so it has to be converted to PCM for playback
As @Burkhardt_Petermann mentioned you will need a DSD capable Roon Ready DAC. I have the exaSound S88 MKII, not inexpensive, and it connects with Roon Via ethernet and the Denon AVR via the 7.1 MC analog connections.
Thanks for introducing me to the exaSound - it is an elegant solution for my extensive, hard-won DSF collection (weeks of ripping). high$, though. I’ve been spoiled by hearing my Oppo analog straight to the 5.1 amps/sub for years - so perfect. Do you think that the exaSoundS88 could serve as my 8ch pre for everything (all files on the Roon) ?
Hi Mike - thanks for the help on this. In response to your suggestion - my Roon settings for the Marantz don’t list 5.1 and 7.1 as options - just “Channel mapping only” and “Downmix as needed”. Maybe because it’s not Roon Ready or Tested.
Like I just asked @Burkhardt_Petermann do you think the S88 analog straight out to my amps could serve me without buying a AVR pre or processor? There are no TVs in this room.
