OK in other words - I would try to reduce the distance between the devices so that I don’t need a USB cable of this length and with an integrated repeater. “Nonsense” was perhaps the wrong word for me to use.
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I’m sure they come in two forms - just matter-of-factly repeaters for error avoidance (as it seems in this case) and embroidered “audiophile” ones that lift veils for several K, so the reaction is not entirely unfounded I suppose 
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Is there ethernet near the Parasound? I would add a RPi4 over ethernet or WIFI.
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I was thinking the same. A RPi or the excellent and affordable WiiM Pro (not the Plus). Because it’s Roon Ready, the optional remote control works with Roon:
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Thanks, @Geoff_Coupe, @UliR, @Suedkiez,
Although in the same room, the P6 is diagonally opposite my computer (and soon the Nucleus); it’s not really feasible to change that.
The ParaSound is about 30 feet (runs around 2 x 15 feet walls) ‘away’ from my iMac and Nucleus.
I’ve found a regular longer-than-15-feet cable won’t work without a repeater.
This one does.
Although I now have to Enable my P6 zone in Roon every time I restart now: could that be as a result of the new cable, please? I didn’t have to re-Enable the P6 Zone with the previous (actually two: a repeater with a second) cabling!
If it loses nothing sonically and if I can stop Roon from apparently losing the P6’s configuration - any ideas how I might tackle that, please - then I’m OK with that.
Although I can see that I might really benefit from the RPi4 or WiiM Pro (I don’t need voice, do I) so shall look into that. I’m not familiar with them Thanks!
No - no Ethernet input on the P6.
Is this what you’re thinking of, please?
If so, would I run an Ethernet cable from the Nucleus to the RPi4 and a really short USB cable from the RPi4 to the P6?
Your help appreciated !
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Is it that any sample of cable 1 doesn’t work, or just the one you got? Entirely possible that it is just bad. Of course this being one of those fake companies with randomly-generated brand name drop-shipped from the lowest cost manufacturer they could find, entirely possible that none of them would work at all either. Tripp-Lite at least is a real company, so if you really need to use a cable that long, just use that.
USB Audio is perfectly happy with USB 2, there would be no sonic differences scientifically possible. Assuming that the repeater does not mangle the data it is repeating.
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Not Jim, but most likely one of these. Yes, you would run Ethernet (which has much greater length limits) to it, and a short USB to the DAC.
You would not really run Ethernet from the Nucleus to the RPi, but would connect both devices independently to the same network (to a switch, directly to the router). And yes, from the RPi a short USB cable to your P6.
It could even be possible to connect the RPi via WiFi to your network. Mine is WiFi-connected, and in four years I have never had any problem. This wholly depends on the quality and strength of Wifi signal at the RPi’s place.
More likely, it’s because Tripp Lite is a longstanding manufacturer of cables and power strips with a good reputation; the other one I’ve never heard of.
But as others have said, trying to use a USB cable longer than 6 feet is just asking for future trouble.
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Yes, ethernet to the RPi4 or WIFI. I use WIFI to my main listening room and it works great with my AT&T provided router. Also, there is now the Wiim option that would be easier. I’ve never used one.
You would run ethernet from your router or, better yet, a switch connected to your router. I prefer no direct connections to my Nucleus except ethernet from a switch connected to my router.
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Thanks, Boris!
So far, it’s just the one I got 
I’m going to conclude that the Tripp-Lite works and I’ll stick with it. Your re-assurance for USB 2 is much appreciated
At least for the moment; and at least until I’ve investigated RPi4 and WiiM Pro. I’ve never used them. But it certainly sounds as though I should!
But I feel I have to solve this issue of Roon disabling my P6 as a Zone every time first!
Thanks, Andreas!
Got it. I can do that. I have an Airport Extreme. It doesn’t have enough ports as it’s set up now to do that straight away. Is there a recommendation for a truly fault-free and 100% reliable such switch, please?
Am I right in thinking that an RPi is the way to go in order to avoid using USB, though?
Thanks, Bill
I can see the logic of that, for sure.
Presumably an RPi is the best answer to that. On my list to investigate.
Thanks, Jim. And thanks for the RPi PDF.
Would you expect either of these solutions to stop Roon’s disabling my P6 as a Zone, though?
I feel I ought to fix that first: it didn’t happen with the previous (pre Nucleus) cable!
The WiiM Pro will definitely stop your zone from being disabled. It will always be visible as long as it is connected to power (even in standby mode). You can also switch the WiiM on and off via the Roon Remote or Roon apps (another nice benefit to using a Roon Ready device instead of just an RPi bridge).
You would run a long Ethernet cable to the WiiM and a short COAX or TOSLINK S/PDIF cable from it to your Parasound Halo P6.
I do recommend the optional remote control ($10 extra if purchased bundled, $20 extra if not) even if you won’t be using the voice functions. Play/pause/skip functions on the remote work with Roon and are more convenient than reaching for your phone or tablet.
The WiiM Pro with remote should be around $159, which is about twice what you’d pay for a Raspberry Pi 4 with microSD card, case, and power supply. However, the WiiM will be much easier to setup and will provide a nicer experience. Also, when you switch your P6 off, IIRC, the RPi will no longer see it connected, causing the zone to disappear from Roon. You won’t have this problem with the WiiM Pro.
Edit: Only downside to the WiiM Pro vs RPi is that Roon Server will convert DSD files to PCM. Also, any PCM files you have that are above 192 kHz will have to be converted. For most folks, this represents a tiny percentage of their libraries. If you’re mostly streaming, this won’t affect you at all.
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The WiiM doesn’t have USB out, I believe. So you’re back to S/PDIF, and this for some folks may be considered a downside.
A small 8-port unmanaged switch from a reputable make like Netgear or similar will give you all you need.
It’s the way to go to avoid running a long and out-of-spec USB connection from your Nucleus to your P6. Much more elegant using a RPi and connect it and the Nucleus to your network. Before connecting the switch, though, I would try to connect the RPi via WiFi. I have never installed my little switch at my place, as WiFi just is working so well… Only if getting dropouts connecting via WiFi would I go for the switch and cable.
S/PDIF is an advantage in this case, as I mentioned in my comment.
Yep, when I switch my USB-connected DAC off, it disappears as zone from Roon, just as it should. When I switch it back on, it reappears automagically. I rather like that.
Roon will not know that a S/PDIF-connected DAC has been switched off, and it will stay visible as zone in Roon, just as you say. So what is going to remind me that I have it switched off, next time I want to play to this zone?
The WiiM may have several advantages over the RPi; it’s Roon-Ready and comes with a remote control for one. But the advantage of a S/PDIF connection over USB is lost on me…
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David,
I hope you realize how extraordinarily grateful I am for the time and trouble you are taking to help me here!
Thanks so much.
I see. The strange thing is that this never happened with the last cable I used.
But I can see that USB remains problematic and I will look for an alternative, as you kindly suggest.
These are the inputs for my P6:
From what you and @Andreas_Philipp1 are saying, the WiiM (assuming I opt for that in favour of the RPi) will have to be coax. A short (1 meter) coax.
Yes?
Or would the iFi Zen be an even better option?
To set it up like this
Is there a preferred brand of coax, that you would recommend, please?
So this ASIN on Amazon: B0C5C9XXD5 (just checking)
Yes; I think that’ll be OK.
Thanks again. I’m in the thick of it now, aren’t I. And happily so.