Should I care? Speakers (I think limited to 44.1/16)

[LUKE_STEADMAN]

Roon Core Machine

NUC 2023

Networking Gear & Setup Details

Files on NAS

Connected Audio Devices

Bowers & Wilkins MM1 via USB from PC

Number of Tracks in Library

30,000

Description of Issue

Does this really matter?

I think this means my Bowers & Wilkins MM1 via USB will only decode CD quality

Being the perfectionist I am - should I care? And If I should
Can anyone recommend a PC speaker (USB connection) better than MM1 that will decode 96Khz or higher?

[Martin_Webster]

You may want to look at this thread.

Roon Down Samples 96KHz to 48KHz for BW MM-1 Speakers [48khz is the max sample rate]

I have an iMac with the latest version of the OS and have noticed that Roon will down sample 96KHz files to 48KHz because it says the MM-1 can only handle 48KHz. I’ve checked with Bowers-Wilkins tech support and they say their USB speaker/dac can handle up to 96KHz. The samples are 24 bits, but Roon doesn’t change to 16. So it seems fine with the data width, just not the sample rate. The MM-1 has the latest firmware (last release was at least a year ago).

[Bill_Janssen (Wigwam wool socks now on asymmetrical isolation feet!)]

With the USB protocol, the computer will actually ask the speaker what it supports. It must be replying, 16/48. This is in the B&W USB firmware. Maybe there’s a firmware update for the speakers? But I don’t see anything in their literature which says 96kHz.

[Gimlet (Anthony Dell)]

I also own B&W MM1 speakers. When I raised this exact issue with B&W support, a few years ago, they confirmed that 96/24 was not possible using the internal DAC. However, it is possible if you use an external DAC (I have used a Meridian Explorer) and connect it to the analogue input.

[Suedkiez (Just a fellow user like you)]

They are little computer speakers. It won’t get better with higher than CD quality

[Simon_Hislop]

Can you hear a difference. If so then yes 90 odd % of people can’t, me being one of them