Look at the front panel on the DAC and find the screen that shows whether you have an internet connection or not. It could be that the Bridge has not completed the “handshake” with your network. If it has not, then it will not show up as a connected device. Check the manual to help you find the right screen. Note: I think it is possible for the yellow and green lights at the input on to the Bridge at the back of the DAC to be blinking and still not have a connection. There is a Bridge reset button screen to try if you don’t have a connection.
Your laptop and desktop will not show the Bridge as a device as it is not operational by Windows or Mac OS. Do you not own an Android or IOS device?
Both Roon and Spotify desktop apps can see a Bridge as well.
o.k., I just signed up for a Roon account, and I’m not sure at what point it will recognize the Bridge. I am at the setup screen in Roon where it is asking me to set up my audio devices, and the Bridge is not showing there. (should it be?) I also just found that I can see the DAC on my laptop under “Media Devices”, but again, doesn’t seem like Roon can find it.
Turn the DS off by the back switch wait a few minutes and turn it back on then wait for the light on the screen to turn from red to green with the DS in Bridge mode. Adding new pieces like Roon to the puzzle is not going to solve the problem of whether or not the Bridge is working or on your network. Again do you not own an Android or IOS device to install mConnect on?
I do own both of those devices - I am unaware of MConnect and what it is
It is the designated software for the Bridge II developed by Conversdigital the actual manufacturer of the Bridge. It works better in IOS so if you have an iPhone, iPad or even the current generation of the Touch you can download it from the Apple store. There are two versions. One vertical for the phone and Touch and one horizontal for the iPad. The iPad is the preferable choice but they all work. Type in Conversdigital in the search line. No need for the paid version as the free ones work fine. The Qobuz and Tidal apps are embedded in the mConnect app so you sign in to your account in mConnect.
Great, I will take a look here shortly, thanks!
Mcontrol for MQA
Thanks, everyone for all of your help! After installing Roon, and resetting the bridge, rebooting the router, rebooting computer, etc, etc. Roon did eventually find the Bridge!! I could then see the music playing through the DAC, however, still no sound. Well, I found that the DAC volume was only on 20, so I had to turn my preamp up to 50 before I heard anything. So I turned the DAC up to 80 and now my preampo volume plays at the normal lower level. YES!!! Thanks again to everyone who provided a suggestion, what a great community it is here!
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Congrats on getting things worked out. You just happen to find that quirk that was put into the latest version of Snowmass to account for those that don’t turn the volume down on their preamps or turn their amps off when doing an update or re-boot. It defaults the volume to the lower setting. If you are not prone to making those mistakes you can fix the volume to remain at the number you choose. The DAC will sound better if you get the volume setting up closer to 100.
Yes, that is correct. They do not. But, as we know, different server styles sound different and Roon has always struggled with sound quality. As to why the Tidal/Qobuz SQ issue exists remains a mystery to me.
Paul, my system is fairly revealing, BHKpre, BHK300s, DMP, DSD w/bridge2, P20, Sound science music vault 2 ultra, PBN M2!5 speakers. I’m using Wireworld platinum eclipse ICs, ethernet, and HDMI cables, along with 2 runs of 4ft MG Audio Planus 3 speaker cables to each amp (biwire). I consider myself to have a pretty good ear, I can hear differences between different ICs, and varying file resolutions. To my ear, Roon sounds as good as the DMP on most recordings. I have a/b ed on the same song between them on numerous occasions. I’m curious what are the SQ struggles you speak of?
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IMO opinion this idea that Roon “struggles” with SQ is simply untrue. My Roon playback is very close to the DMP - there is a miniscule difference between the two playing back the same music - if I was forced to make a decision I’d say the DMP has the slight edge on bass but as I said it is tiny. However I’m wondering if this is a resource/noise issue, since I’m using a Nucleus with LPS and AQVox switch. If you are using Roon with a regular PC then there will be other factors that will influence it - what OS is being used, what processes and other software are running, the noise within the hardware itself, noise from fans etc.
Roon / Tidal is pretty nice SQ here too.
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So just played one of my favourite tracks on both Roon and CD (via the BHK Pre and headphones) and now they sound identical - I’ll give it another try once I get my full system set up again (one of my BHK Monos is off being repaired). I often wonder how much of what we hear is based on belief affecting perception rather than the other way around. I suppose that is what is both so fascinating and at times infuriating with this hobby.
I am committed to Roon as well.
A competitor to future Octave, though, so I understand PS audio is fighting back, but they have shown with the dmp that software is not their forte.
I am a big PS Audio fan, with a P20, dsd and dmp.
Bridge 2 is no longer a priority, clearly, so I need better streaming option.
I am currently deciding between an Innuos Zenith and a Nucleus + with a Lumin U1.
Any thoughts or advice welcome.
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I think Nucleus is often touted by Stereophile reviewers as being one of their favourite Roon cores - it sounds good as is but I found a significant improvement by adding a large LPS from MCRU - there was also a nice improvement by putting the AQVOX switch in between the Bridge II and the Nucleus and when I moved it closer to my system and plugged it in to the P20. I’m also going to try it with one of the higher end Black Rhodium Power leads (currently it’s using a cheaper Isotek lead) - I suspect this will bring about further improvements. . All these tweaks substantially raise the price though. I should also note that I put a 4TB internal SSD inside it and you need to factor in the price of internal storage (if you need it). SSDs have come down in price but they get expensive above 1TB.
Not so familiar with the Lumin but I believe the Innuos was reviewed by John Darko and he really liked it. Never heard it personally though.
In my experience, Roon backed by HQPlayer sounds much better than Roon by itself. It’s why Roon allowed HQPlayer to be a back end option, so many audiophiles clamored for it.
A better experiment is to compare Roon to HQPlayer, Audirvana or even Amarra Luxe, than comparing Roon to a cd.
It’s not that Roon sounds terrible, it’s just sound quality is not their forte as programmers. They are fabulous library management programmers though.
Isn’t HQplayer about upsampling and DSP?