Well…
The update did not address the NAA version, it still runs as 4.2.3 in my HQPlayer log.
This is just like Sonore NAA updates!
As a 20 year veteran of professional software updates, I’ll say that these guys completely suck at both manuals and release notes. It really reduces the transparency of changes made. More companies suck at this than those that don’t.
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Agreed.
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Double agree.
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If this has been covered in earlier posts, apologies. Has anyone connected their Red to the MKII via Red’s USB Out? I’m using Roon as the interface.
My initial connection between the two has been with I2S - today I thought I would try USB to compare the two, but can’t get any signal out of the Red > MKII. I tried turning the Redirector on, but that just kills the Red as being present in Roon’s Audio selection list.
TIA
Both worked for me. Stupid question time. You swapped to the USB input on the MKII. I know you can turn off in 2.5.0. Then try swapping cables, even a cheap printer one you know works just to see if you get sound.
OK, great that it worked for you.
The InaKustik USB cable I’m using was connected to my Roon Rock’s USB port, and that was working fine as an input to the MKII. I did that to sorta compare the output of the Rock straight into the MKII with the Red into the MKII. I just unplugged the cable from the Rock and plugged it into the Red.
I swapped the InaKustik for a Supra USB - still no signal.
I dont think there is any user control on the Red to change the status of the inputs etc. Even if you use as DDC as soon as it sees signal in the usb in, it swaps to DDC. Have you tried recycling the Red? Maybe something is off a bit and it needs that.
OK! Thanks for your help - problem solved!
I recycled the Red, as you suggested, but that didn’t work. So then I recycled the MKII by powering down and back up again. That showed a green USB connection!, but still no music.
What I then realized was I also needed to change Roon’s output selector to the MKII, instead of the Red. Now it works! So it looks like the Red’s CPU is bypassed as far as Roon is concerned when using USB as an output - is that your experience? If true, that means if you use USB as the interface, the Red is a DDC and simply passing the signal on the MKII.
So now I’m able to group the Holo and the MKII in Roon, and can now swap between the two by changing the MKII input selection from I2S to USB with the remote control. Will pass on any SQ observations with more time.
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Now that you say that, it does sound familiar. I did not use it that much on USB. Just like a day or two… been using I2S since. But yes did a compare of the Red and Stack streamers exactly how you are doing the I2S vs USB of the Red. Glad to hear I at least bumped you in right direction. I am very much interested in hearing what you think of the difference between the Roon Core plugged directly into MKII vs using the Red. I did not do that one test yet. Core is on other side of room and did not want to rewire.
I have been going back and forth between my Nucleus+ direct into the Mk2 via USB and the Red on the network into the Mk2 via I2S for several weeks (in my setup I can switch on the fly).
Initially, I mildly preferred the Nucleus directly into the Mk2 via USB feeling that it sounded more relaxed and natural than via the Red, but that it was a very close call between the two).
Last night however my preference was fairly clearly reversed, finding that the Red via I2S was the more detailed and nuanced presentation, though again, it was extremely close (to the point that blind, I likely could not differentiate between the two.
Again, it was very close and I will continue my experiments, Including using a better Ethernet cable from my PhoenixNET switch to the Red (I’m currently using an AQ Cinnamon).
My takeaway so far is that the Mk2’s USB implementation is very good and vastly better than that of the Mk1 where I consistently and clearly preferred I2S via a Matrix DDC over USB.
With the Mk2, I’m not sure that there is any clear cut need for the Red (or perhaps other) Roon endpoint(s).
I purchased the Red as an interim solution while I waited for the Airlens to drop. As it now stands, I’m not convinced this move was necessary, and that the Airlens will have to be something very special to beat the Red or USB directly into the Mk2.
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Thanks Andy. I have a Red on the way, ordered for the same reason - thinking that the AL would be delayed for an extended time. Paul said they will start shipping in May. If the Red arrives in time I plan to compare the two very carefully.
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After a week of burn in time for the Red and a new WW Platinum Starlight 48 HDMI cable, I think that combo is ever so slightly better than the Rock plugged directly into the MK2 using the Inakustik Referenz USB cable. There was a subtle improvement in black background & clarity, and just a hint, and I mean a hint of xtra brightness with the I2S. So I think this makes having the Red worthwhile in my system.
Ted says the USB input to the MK2 has been improved to be equivalent to the I2S input. So that’s one variable put to rest. Unfortunately even if the cables were from the same supplier, one might be better than the other, so that technology variable is still present.
I just got through comparing the Red’s DDC USB output (with the Inakustik cable) vs the I2S output of the Red (with the WW HDMI cable). The outputs, linked in Roon, were equivalent in volume, so I could switch between the two using the remote with no break or gap.
I gotta say it was almost impossible to tell the difference. On some tracks I thought the USB edged out, on others the I2S. Maybe the I2S is the winner based on the very subtle improvement on the high end - high hat and cymbals. But it was so close the relative cost of the cables would make USB w/the Inakustik the winner. Or not… 
Next step - Red vs AirLens.
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I too am using the WW Platinum Starlight 48 cable as I2S from the Red to Mk2.
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This is how most Roon Bridges work.
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But not when using Red’s I2S output-Roon sees the Red, not the MK2.
yeah very different when using I2S with Red.
Yes, only USB. I2S doesn’t send back info to the host. I am not sure how much longer I2S is going to remain relevant now that many manufactures are aware of galvanic isolation. I think the folks here on the forum are slowly but surely coming to this agreement.
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Doesn’t this imply they’re both equally relevant and provide us a bigger choice in IC’s?
Of course, we’ll have to deal with manufacturers to make choices for us, or at least most of them have done so until now. It’s not that USB equals better cost/performance ratios, IMO. Wouldn’t you agree?
Or is bidirectionality of decisive value here?
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I think manufacturers will decide for us. It’s a bit of an uphill battle with anything other than USB for most users. We all see this in the marketplace. I agree it’s nice to have choices. But if you could lower your out the door cost by removing either USB or I²S and have access to a larger market, which would you choose?
Being a Roon user, bidirectionality is nice.
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