Roon ready DAP 2023 (Updated Title)

Audio Gear Talk
82

That would be the idea.

Agreed and the point would be to use it as a source on my desk (Roon) and a mobile player (ARC + internal player).

Pis remain in short supply and are currently only available via speculators charging $200USD+. The other obvious option is a Zen Stream at $400USD.

I’m debating a desktop setup for my work-at-home desk. Probably source, DAC, Amp. It’s not entirely crazy think about this DAP as the source. It would sit on the stack. Then just pick it up and go. Just something to think about.

83

If the upcoming Fiio R7 gets Roon certified then I’d love it as a work from home desk set up.

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84

Are you interested in using only headphones at your desk? If so, why not simply use only the DAP?

I use my computer as the source at my desk, and then have different stacks (DACs/Amps) plugged into that, including a speaker amp and a higher-end 2.1 speaker setup. This gives me lots of options, but I also work from home and spend 90% of my waking life at my desk. :joy:

Part of why I use my computer as my source is so I can hear things on my computer while I’m listening to music. I can also turn off notifications or put Roon in discreet DAC mode, which only plays music through the DAC and no system sounds (as well as controlling the sampling rate on the DAC on the fly). BUT, if I didn’t already have all of these stacks and spent less time at my home office, I could see simply using only a DAP.

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85

I have a DAP as I have more and more time spent waiting for appointments, lab results etc that keep me from my decent setups. I need my phone charged and ready for use so I never use it for music.

I was foolish getting a DAP made with the new AKG chipset though as none of the Roon applications work with it. Oddly every other audio app I have that says it is capable of high def playback can. (PowerAmp, Shanling Audio, Qobuz . . . just not Roon.)

If I sound a bit disappointed it is because I am.
I keep updating gleefully with the hope it works . . . reset it, reinstall it, wait for the red poor connection banner.

Then back to using PowerAmp. I prefer their interface of the working options.

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86

Can it drive an external DacAmp? That might help (but also be annoying in itself I understand)

My old FIIO dap can but it won’t work with ARC as the version of Android is too old :disappointed:

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87

While I am at my desk I have 2 different setups within arms reach. I did use my DAP as an external DAC prior to ARC supporting that feature because as a geek I was told it worked that way. I’d imagine it still works, does it support bit perfect would be the only question for me. On the whole having my DAP work as a DAP would be my preference.

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88

Absolutely the way we want to go.
There was mention recently of supporting built-in output’s that bypass Android Audio out, so there might be hope for you.
I want one with Play store support for Pocketcasts and Roon so I can put my phone down and ignore it :grin:

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89

Do you want it to have a cellular radio, or is WiFi enough? The iBasso DX320, which is the successor to the DX300 that @Timothy_Federwitz has, runs Android 11 and can download apps from the App Store. It’s just WiFi, though.

[Edit : You must already know this. I think I’m missing something about why that doesn’t meet your needs - might be the absence of a cellular radio]

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90

Greg thanks for that it sounds like the kind of thing I want, with full support for ARC and Bit Perfect output in ARC (and later in Roon)

Does the iBasso support all that?
In which case I will have a look. I think I looked at it when it came out, or the older version at least.

91

We are all so uniquely nutty about this stuff.

I work from home as well. I’m on Teams meetings a reasonable amount of time and my computer setup is complex (think VMs) in a way that makes audio a little challenging. I have a pair of KEF LSX IIs on my desk which I drive over USB from my computer but I also have a parallel speakerphone and mic setup that I use for online calls.

What I’m realizing I want is a dedicated headphone amp that can drive any cans I throw at it. I found myself telling my history with headphones here but that’s not interesting you folks, so I’ll leave it out. The short version is that some of the headphones I will probably end up buying will be balanced, tough to drive. This desktop setup will be for that. I don’t mind - in fact I prefer - that the audio path be distinct from my computer.

I’ve got a decent budget. What I don’t have is a ton of space. I do have enough space for something like a Matrix or a Naim Uniti Atom HE. I might do something like that.

Thanks for sharing what you do, and asking helpful questions.

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92

You may be asking questions similar to what I asked @Timothy_Federwitz earlier in the thread.

I think it can run both Roon and ARC. I don’t know what the signal path looks like in either of those cases. I was also curious if you could run either of those, connect an external DAC to the USB-C port, and expect a bit perfect stream. @Timothy_Federwitz wasn’t sure. Some of that is up here:

I don’t think that device is for me, given what I’m looking for, but it’s interesting for sure.

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93

I don’t know what I think about that form factor. It’s, as the kids say, “kind of a lot”. :slight_smile:

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94

It is a chonky beast.

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95

Agree that everyone’s use case and desire is unique.

FWIW, the iBasso DX320/300 has balanced output (both 2.5 and 4.4 in the stock amp module) and outputs a maximum of 7.1Vrms and 1200mW into 32 Ohms, and 168mW into 300 Ohms.

I believe the hardest to drive headphones I have are the Hifiman HE1000 V2, which have a low 90dB/mW sensitivity. Like most planars, they are low’ish impedence of 35 Ohms… but they perform best with higher current and wattage. I just tested them again to make sure, but on low gain using the 4.4 balanced and the volume at 100% it is plenty loud without being too loud (for me). On high gain, it’s too loud to listen to for more than a short while (again, to me).

My point is, while this DAP can’t truly compete with my other stacks, which one includes the Schiit Jotenheim with 5W (!!), it holds it’s own. I normally listen with a max of like 70% volume, which is still plenty loud to my 50yo ears that have been abused over the years. :joy:

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96

Thanks - I don’t think this is what I’m looking for right now but I’m not ruling it out for the future. If I were to look at a DAP, I think it would be this one. Appreciate the info!

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97

I noticed yesterday Shanling pushed an update for my player (M6 Ultra). Top of the release notes; support for Roon and Roon ARC. I am absolutely thrilled to state they both work exceptionally well. happy dance

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98

So what does that mean specifically in terms of improvements? I’m through the roof at this idea… but want more details! Thank you!

99

Prior to this latest Shanling update Roon and ARC would install but would not play anything. I kept getting error messages about my poor network connection. I spent one of my lifetimes as a network admin so I called shenanigans.
After patching, my network is repaired (shock) and music is transferred.

This DAP is using the first AKG DAC chips since the factory fire so it needed tweaking. The DAP and ARC released at about the same time.

If you have specific questions let me know. I’d be happy to answer if I am able.

100

Does that DAP have an SD card? Can ARC see it and download to it?

I have a feeling that is more an ARC limitation rather than any DAP

101

ARC has that limitation. This DAP does have a SD Card slot. It is populated, it is utterly useless to ARC

I am forced to use another app (Power AMP) when I am not in wifi range or listening to locally downloaded music.

I am hopeful SD Card storage, and native playback of all bit-depths, is being worked on.

That said, I’m thrilled to be able to use it at all with Roon today.

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