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McIntosh 53 preamp (Roon Tested) connected to Wiim Ultra streamer (Roon Tested) via USB
Volume is set to device volume but it doesn't control the preamp's volume
Roon on Synology NAS, wired
Hi @Mihai_Mihai,
Can you please share a screenshot of the Signal Path within Roon? We’d like to take a look at the digital chain.
Also share a screenshot of the Device Setup page for the Wiim Zone in Settings → Audio.
Keep in mind - RoonTested here refers to the McIntosh’s ability to function as a stand-alone Zone in Roon, not as an endpoint driven through a streamer. Roon doesn’t have the ability to control device volume on an arbitrary external device.
See here for more details: How to control McIntosh volume from Roon - #3 by Monty_Kosma
I guess I am a bit confused what a stand alone Zone in Roon would mean…in other words is there a scenario where I could control the preamp’s volume via Roon’s app?
My confusion stems from the fact that I don’t understand what the Roon Tested means in this context. What is the difference vs a regular DAC?
Hello,
As far as I know, Roon cannot control the volume control of the McIntosh preamp. On my C2700 I can only choose the input (USB), not whether “Fixed” or “Variable”. In addition, how should the volume control (Poti) on the preamplifier be positioned? ROON cannot intervene in this regulation without further measures.
You change the input/source and the volume control of the preamplifier is set to “Loud”. What then?
The fixed or device volume is from the streamer device setup in Roon.
My expectation was simply to control the volume of the preamp via usb. When changing inputs, the preamp decides what to do.
Otherwise what does Roon Ready means in the context of McIntosh preamp? What is the difference vs just a DAC?
Btw, USB spec with HID should be able to cover the scenario
USB connection > DAC > ROON ready
As I understand it, it simply means that the DAC is included and recognized as such in ROON’s device list, and the possible settings and functionality can be made. Neither more nor less.
At best, this can also be done by a DAC that is not ROON ready. However, this does not appear with the device name.
If I’m wrong, please feel free to correct me.
I’m sticking with it, from my point of view controlling the preamplifier and its volume is not possible without further ado.
The preamplifier cannot decide when changing input or source. Only the source is changed and the volume control remains as it is. Even if you reduce or increase the volume of the digital signal on the USB input, who operates the volume control? What position should it be in, it doesn’t work automatically? In this configuration, the question of audio quality and signal would also arise.
It’s just a preamplifier with a DAC module. I now use an external DAC (analog via XLR) on my McIntosh C2700 for various reasons. However, this is also set to “Fix” and the volume must be controlled via the preamplifier.
@Thorsten_Heinrich thanks for the answer.
But I do not see the Roon Tested device (C53) in the device list. Only the streamer. How could Roon know about the preamp unless there is some communication via USB since the preamp is not connected to the local network.
Do you see your 2700 in the device list?
It won’t you controlling the Wiims internal volume control. Roon has no control over the preamp at all in this scenario.
Sorry this is not correct.
Roon Ready is for network only and is for streamers, streaming DACs or all in one amplifiers. They all connect to Roon via the network not by any other means.
Roon tested is for devices connected directly to Roon server or bridge via USB or for non Roon Ready network connections such as Airplay Chromecast.
In this scenario the Wiim Pro is a Roon Ready device that receives the stream over the network. Roon has no idea if you’re using its internal DAC, or an external DAC via USB as the device does not communicate this back. It will assume it’s using it inbuilt DAC. Preamps over USB rarely can be controlled remotely as they don’t expose this using USB control but even if it could Roon cannot as it’s connected to the Wiim not the preamp.
Got it. So if I would use a Ropieee that would transform the preamp into a Roon endpoint allowing me to control it directly from the app?
@kristallgipsy
You don’t have to apologize, I phrased it and asked for correction. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy for me to write with voice translation. In principle you are right. There are experts for that. I confused it with the USB connection via a bridge.
@Mihai_Mihai
If I remember correctly, I had a Prime Mini computer with ROON Rock as the operating system as a bridge over USB. Here I was shown the DA2 module as a DAC in ROON as an audio device. But it’s been a while and I’m a little unsure. However, for various reasons I always had the volume control via the preamp, so I can’t comment on that. In my opinion, ROON will not operate the preamplifier volume control in this situation either. This always stays in one position and takes over the volume when the source changes.
But it’s been too long since I didn’t use the volume control myself, so please try it out.
Not exactly. It really depends on how they expose things. The preamp is likely analogue in nature in such an amplifier and may not controllable via USB. This is a question for the manufacturer really. Roon Tested just means the DAC portion works with Roon it doesn’t mean it can control all aspects of it.
That’s the difference.
On my C2700 the part is structured analogously. Things could be different with the C53. The printed circuit on the side of the lid may already provide information about this.
“The McIntosh C53 AC is a fully transistorized device, while the McIntosh C2700 AC is a pure analog tube preamplifier”
Just tested it by installing Roon Bridge on my OSX laptop and unfortunately it doesn’t seem to work.
I will probably try to use the extension that @connor recommended from the first post.
Thanks all
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