My PS Audio DirectStream DAC mk2 incorrectly indicates 24 bit files when playing 16 bit files from Roon on my PS Audio AirLens streamer connected via I2S. The signal path info in Roon seems correct. Other DSD64 or 24bit 192 kHz files seem ok. The same file from Tidal when streamed via Tidal Connect shows the correct bit depth. The source of the file doesn’t make a difference with files on my Roon Nucleus One hard disk showing the same issue. A BlueSound Node streamer connected to the same DAC via toslink shows the correct bit depth using the same Tidal file played from Roon. Also, if I group both streamer audio devices in Roon and play through the AirLens the bit depth shown on the DAC is then correct. Can you advise what I can do to fix this?
Describe your network setup
Network overview: Network connection via Telco Smart Modem/Orbi Mesh WiFi router. Streamer connected via ethernet (CAT8 cable) and Roon Nucleus One connected to Silent Angel N8 ethernet switch.
If you look closely at the signal path, you can see that Roon is applying volume leveling, so it converts the signal to 64-bit float, adjusts the volume, then converts to 24-bit, which is what is fed to the DAC.
Hi Marian, you are a legend! I turned off volume levelling and it’s sorted now!
Does this mean though now, when playing individual tracks from different sources they will play at different levels? Sorry, I’m a new-be to Roon and there’s a lot to get my head around.
Basically yes. But you’re not losing any quality with volume leveling. The gain is applied on 64-bit float samples, adjustments are fairly small (-6.1dB in your example), and conversion down to 24-bit is inaudible, so you can go ahead and keep using it if that’s what you want.
I’m glad to see that Marian helped clarify this — that’s exactly right.
Volume leveling in Roon temporarily converts the signal to 64-bit float to apply precise gain adjustments, then back to 24-bit for output, so what your DAC displays is expected behavior. There’s no loss in audio quality with volume leveling enabled.
If you prefer bit-perfect playback without any signal modification, you can simply keep it turned off, but as Marian mentioned, that means tracks from different sources might play at slightly different loudness levels.
It sounds like everything is working correctly now, but please let us know if you notice any other playback inconsistencies.
