I use a Cyrus system (Amp with included DAC and a streamer - Stream X). I am more than content with the sound. The Stream X has poor control software, My search for alternatives led me to Roon, which I am now using. Stream X is not Roon Ready so I need to obtain a bridge. I have decided on the one I wish to have. I can buy this either for straight cash, or trade in the Stream X. Of course, I could buy for straight cash and sell the Stream X later.
My question is not to do with views on the best bridge device to get, or how good Cyrus stuff might be. I wish to know what difference the Stream X COULD make. I can either have the Bridge playing direct into the DAC/Amp or bridge into Stream X then into DAC/Amp. I have deliberately NOT mentioned the bridge device I plan to get, as my concern is not with the merits of that device.
Can anyone explain what difference in theory keeping the Stream X in the system might make?
Does it simply pass on the digital signal, untouched, from the Bridge, or does it do some processing of that signal?
If so, what?
Many thanks for any responses. I do like to try to understand what I am doing.
Since the Stream X is simply a network streamer with no built-in DAC and only S/PDIF output (plus proprietary MC-BUS), there is no benefit in using this with another network streamer.
A streamer operates in the digital domain only, so the Roon Ready streamer will deliver all the DAC needs, i.e. a bit perfect stream. Also, the DAC will be “hidden” from Roon because the Stream X uses S/PDIF (which is also limited to PCM 192kHz.)
Thanks Martin for taking the time to answer. This is basically as I suspected. Can you enlarge on what having the Dac hidden means please? With a Roon ready streamer what difference being able to “see “ the dac might be apparent? The replacement bridge/streamer will use s/pdif to connect to the dac/amp too. The s/pdif limit on resolution is not an issue for me. That’s effectively the upper limit of my system, including source material - and my ears!
Because S/PDIF transmits the digital signal over a coax (or optical) cable from the streamer to DAC there is no way for Roon (or other software for that matter) to know what is connected to the receiving end. For example, my Chord 2Qute is connected to an Allo DigiOne, so Roon only sees the transport not the DAC.
However, if I connect the 2Qute to a USB port on the Raspberry Pi, Roon will see the DAC because it can share information over the USB interface. HTH