Anyone using a Mytek Brooklyn or Manhattan (I or II) DAC as a preamplifier?

Do the Mytek DAC’s that support ROON require connectivity to a PC or a MAC computer?

 

Yes, even with the Roon ready network board the Mytek will require a computer to run Roon.

The advantage is you eliminate a digital cable in your system and dump the unaltered bits directly into the DAC....It is strictly for sonic benefit and does not eliminate a box in your system.

I've been considering the same thing myself and what I want to know is if you use this network interface, or one like it on another DAC, yet still have it connected to a generic computer like a MacMini, do you eliminate the negative affects the computer has in the chain, or are you still at a deficit by not having a purpose built computer?

What devices, if any, are available that support streaming using ROON and do not need computer access? 

There are plenty of devices that don't require an off the shelf computer, but those devices are essentially just a purpose built audio computer.  Some good options would be Aurender, Auralic, Antipodes, etc.

What DAC can't be used with an integrated or preamp? Are we talking DACs only having variable output?

My preamp stopped working today, and it will be a while before it gets repaired.  I tried using my Mytek Manhatten I as a Pre amp.  I don’t know how to use the volume control.  It seems to be at max volume right now and I can only listen for a few seconds at a time for fear of blowing my speakers.  The manual isn’t very helpful.

I figured it out.  At the first adjusting the volume on the Mytek didn’t have any effect but after turning the DAC off and rebooting it worked

There is analog vs digital volume. I found this confusing as well and emailed them before randomly poking around and figuring it out.