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How to get DSD working in a networked (Roon) setup?

Dear,

I recently received a few DSD albums and would love to play these.

In the manual of the T+A MP 3100 HV, I read
"The MP 3100 HV can be used as a high-quality D/A converter for other devices such as computers, streamer, digital  radios etc. which are fitted with poor-quality converters or no converter at all. The MP 3100 HV features two optical and two electrical S/P-DIF digital inputs on the back panel to allow this usage.

A USB-DAC input on the back panel permits to use the MP 3100 HV as D/A
converter for computers.

At the USB DAC IN input the MP 3100 HV accepts digital PCM-encoded stereo
signals with sampling rates of 44.1 to 384 kHz (32-bit) and DSD data with
sampling rates of DSD64, DSD128, DSD256* and DSD512*."

To use the T+A MP 3100 HV to play DSD files, I have to connect it to a PC using a USB cable? Is my understanding correct?

I have all my music on a NAS in the basement. I use Roon to play (flac) files on my stereo. Is there no other way to get DSD to play?

Ideally, I would prefer to add a device in my network to play DSD. 

This "USB DAC" truly puzzles me. 

Thank you for your advice.

128x128koenvingerhoets
erik_squires
15,627 posts
 

Very odd it is Roon capable but can’t play directly.

I happen to use a Pi as a Roon endpoint, connected to my Mytek Brooklyn and never had a problem playing DSD at any resolution.

If you like Roon, may be worth getting a second micro SD card, installing Ubuntu on it and then Roon for Ubuntu/ARM.  Works peachy.

koenvingerhoets's avatar
koenvingerhoets OP
22 posts
 

Thanks for your feedback @erik_squires . I've a NUC for Roon (the ROCK setup), doesn't it require more power than a Pi4B can deliver?

The challenge here is that my DSD collection is very limited and kept on a USB stick. Would Roon see the stick and be able to push DSD to the "USB DAC" gate?

I ordered a 4-pack of micro SD cards so could give it a go :)

erik_squires
15,627 posts
 

Ah, I see the confusion.

I specifically mentioned it was an endpoint. My Roon server is another box with more cpu capabilities. The Pi is just for the Mytek. All my audio library is on a separate PC which runs the Roon core server.

 

emdeevee
2 posts
 

You should just get a better roon endpoint, like a DAP that will play those DSD files without issue. Something like an Astell Kern Sr25 should do the trick and not expensive for what it offers sonically speaking. 

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