I run Roon Rock on an Intel NUC i7 with an LPS and this connects USB to a Denafrips Iris DDC and I2S into a Holo Spring 3KTE. Music is stored on a NAS ethernet. I also use Qobuz streaming.
Recently a buddy lent me his PSA Direct stream 2 DAC and I liked what I heard and realized that DACs do sound different. So now I am going down the rabbit hole to determine WHERE in my chain I can make improvements. I am open to making improvements anywhere in the chain. First I would like to identify the possible changes THEN i will consider costs. Thanks in advance for your advice.
James_I
(The truth is out there but not necessarily here)
2
Use a separate endpoint rather than feeding directly from your server. Something calm and quiet like a Raspberry Pi or small streamer that isn’t processing anything. Then connect your DAC via USB to the endpoint streamer and ditch the I2S.
Sorry if this doesn’t spend enough money…it is more of a common sense thing related to following Roon’s suggested configuration.
Ha ha, thats funny Im so prepared to throw money at it. So if I understand you correctly, I dont need to spend uber bucks on that streamer, maybe something rasperry pi based. I generally prefer I2S to me it sounds better. However, The Holo does a good job with USB implementation. I assume I can just look for a Roon compatible streamer fpre owned for under $500
You’re opening a can of worms here. There are many Roon users that will say none of what you are considering will affect the sound quality at all. Then there are many who will say it was a night and day difference, veils were lifted, my wife noticed the difference from the kitchen. All you can do is try it yourself and see.
I like to keep my setup as simple as possible using Roon Ready players with Ethernet as the connection. Roon to router to player. Except for the HDMI connection from Roon to the AVR in the entertainment system.
I’m a multi-channel fan and having Roon deliver DSD/PCM 5.1 or 2 channel music from an Ethernet port anywhere on our property is as easy as it gets.
I did need to spend 3k to have my house wired but it was worth it to me.
How that relates to sound quality based on the connection is out of my hearing range. I do believe the quality of the players and speakers systems has the most impact on the sound quality.
James_I
(The truth is out there but not necessarily here)
8
This is all opinion, but I am of the opinion that the endpoint should be a modest investment…just something quiet like a Pi or a relatively simple streamer. That is what Roon recommends.
IMHO the reason these uber expensive server/streamer combos exist is because there is a lot of effort to have a quiet USB output from an powerful machine. This is unnecessary with the dual machine structure where the server’s noise (which is theoretical in the first place) insulated from the endpoint by the network.
Secondarily, I just believe in stripping down the system to investigate where improvements can be made. That is hard to do with the server outputting in effect directly to the endpoint (even via DDC).
This is just my opinion. YMMV.
James_I
(The truth is out there but not necessarily here)
9
Subtle, if anything. But it will help with audiophilia nervosa
Sorry if that was snarky. So many of these posts, well those at Audiogon more than here, are really “flexes” about "I have so much money what should I waste it on next. So it triggered me a bit. Anyway, my opinion is to strip down and see what/if anything makes a noticeable difference, rather than just randomly adding pieces.
were good thank you so much for replying. I consider myself a value audiophile. I have decent stuff and am willing to spend to get a better system but not blindly throw money at it. It has to provide a return of better sound.
Avoid using USD direct to DAC from a PC/NUC - USB direct from a PC can be noisy. Use a good quality streamer that has good noise isolation and clock or a Streamer/DAC combo or as others suggest a Raspberry pi.
Never use usb. EVERY review (if you read them) will state that if your dac has i2s (the better dacs do), it will sound much better than using usb.
I got the typical Linux Roon server, then goes to the ps audio Airlens which is galvanized to clean up any noise from the Ethernet in port, then goes out to the ps audio ds mk1 dac or the stellar gold dac using i2s. The Airlens does not even include a usb out, why would you sacrifice sound quality. Plus, the Airlens allows me to use Qobuz connect.
@maximasr I use a DDC USB to I2S and noticed an improvement, not earth shattering but better. I am wondering if I am better off with an Airlens and get rid of the DDC.
What other streamer out there can clean up any noise on the Ethernet signal coming out of Roon or say Qobuz Connect into the Airlens (no need to buy any so-called audiophile switch) plus provide i2s to a dac?
If you like any of the PS Audio dacs, the Airlens is made to provide synergy between these 2 devices. If you get a different dac with i2s, you have to make sure the Airlens i2s is compatible.
