Maybe. Not sure if that’s important for Mark, but as you say…
Yes, I see how that applies to the Roon/Nucleus/(Zen) network.
But that network will have one USB ‘output’ (into the P6) and I really would like to have a completely separate output (from, say, Dorico) on my iMac also go ‘into’ the P6’s USB digital input/port.
Maybe it just can’t be done?
Maybe this helps, looks like good USB switches might be fine
Or this
You are not the only one with this need and cursory googling finds no reasons for not using a switch
Boris,
Many many thanks for all of this!
Right. Eliminated. Connectivity via Ethernet only.
I’ll look again into all the advice I’ve got here on (alternative) Streamers, thanks.
I follow exactly where you’re going with USB cables (and expected you to say just what you have, thanks, Boris) which is all duly noted and accepted completely 
!
Understood.
If I can’t get the need for two USB inputs (‘standard’ computer + Nucleus) resolved, I may have to think again about that. But can’t immediately see a way to amend the configuration in my block diagram(s) accordingly.
Unless the iFi Zen can help here.
I’d really like it.
If I did that, though, would the rest of the setup with the Nucleus (including the ability to backup to external mac drives - albeit with SMB) still apply?
Mario,
Yes; thanks - it certainly does look possible.
If it’s a straight ‘switch’ which doesn’t degrade the signal in any way, that’s be the hardware equivalent of SoundSource. I’ll investigate.
I’ve just thought of another - probably simpler solution: I could go back to using my P6’s analogue inputs for everything non-Roon/Nucleus from my iMac!
The switches manage to transport e.g. data from a Mac to a hard disk without messing up the data (and at much higher data rates than data with audio information), so I don’t see what would be different for audio applications. It’s all just big numbers expressed in binary.
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Well, it doesn’t have a USB output in any case, and costs more than Zen. It does have a DAC though, but I think for Mark’s purpose it’s not ideal.
It could help in a sense that you could connect Zen with coax, and keep Mac connected with USB. But that limits the quality you can get from Roon, which is probably more important.
You could check here how to find out if your Mac has a Toslink output. If it does, you could use that.
Yes, this would be purely an audio connection, so the rest will not be affected.
If your iMac does not have it, another option would be something similar to this USB Audio to S/PDIF converter (no experience with it, so no idea how well it works, just the first one that popped in a search). This would let you convert USB output of your Mac to either optical or coax that you could plug into a different input in your P6.
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It’s a digital signal switch. It either works, or it doesn’t, but there’s no “works but degrades signal” option there
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OK. Makes sense. I was thinking of electrical clicks and plops because it’s a mechanical switch presumably. But worth a try
Boris,
Yes, it is more important
Thanks. Checked. No Toslink.
OK. Good.
Noted. Thanks.
Bummer.
You probably can find something cheap enough that works. Should be good enough, I would imagine.
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I have the HD800 and am currently manoeuvring for a pair of Focal Clear Mg to keep them company 
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Otherwise known as quadraphony, Mike
It is NUC without a fan. Try to touch the USB connector after being plugged into Nucleus for an hour or so.
That‘s what I said?
What for, does this help to answer the question about the PS and UK vs US power standards?
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I confirmed your statement about NUC.
USB temperature has nothing with PS but overheating.
I tried using USB directly from Nuc and Nucleus and it sucks. Instead I prefer to have a regular Roon Ready streamer, I use Metronome DSS.
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Boris,
Thanks; I suppose it’s all part of the fun
I think I can find a way to use another (analog) input on the P6 to use for everything except Roon. Am experimenting today.
Update Sure enough - I’ve solved that one: I can successfully direct all my iMac’s other audio output (other than what will soon be a Nucleus using USB, that is) via a Behringer DAC to one of my P6’s analog inputs.
I have three Roon servers (Nucleus, Mac Mini, and Dell laptop). I prefer no direct connections to either of them (USB or HDMI). I use ethernet and WIFI at home and WIFI away from home. I always use a streamer (Oppo 203 or RPi4) connected by ethernet or WIFI. It’s just how I like to do it.
As an aside, I have Apple Music loaded on my iPad Mini 6 with 3.5mm into my Meridian Prime. The Meridian Prime has a button to select the USB or 3.5mm input. This allows me to easily use Apple Music with my Meridian Prime - Denon AVR-2805 - Pioneer HPM 60 speakers if I want.
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Ah OK
Yeah, I know that it gets pretty hot, but not sure how heat dissipation and data transfer is related
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I simply don’t like devices that internally produce so much heat that I cannot even touch them. There is a reason why some companies produce dedicated passive casings for NUCs.