Paul McGowan said
Yes, because there's little you can do to USB to optimize it when it is still directly connected to the DAC. That's the problem.
USB needs to be completely isolated from the DAC without any direct connection.
My solution with the StarTech.com 4 Port USB 2.0 over LAN completly isolate the dac. I also use the Singxer SU-1 to connect to my DirectStream Dac via I2S.
I know that the LanRover can’t output I2S as my Singxer SU-1 can connected via my StarTech.com 4 Port USB 2.0 over LAN.
My question to Paul is what can the LanRover accomplish better than my solution? As i understand PS Audio says that I2S is the best way to connect to the DirectStrean Dac Which the LanRover can’t.
Paul McGowan said
Sure. Just put Roon on your computer, as you have to anyway, and their Roon Remote on your mobile device as a controller, then play away. The LANRover will transport the audio over your network to your DAC and then into your USB input.
Not sure why I'm suddenly a little confused, but help me out. When running from a Windows machine via USB to a DAC a USB driver must be loaded on the Windows machine. If we are converting the USB to running over Ethernet, and then converting back to USB right before the DAC, how does that Windows driver come into play? My tiny brain is thinking the driver gets lost in the chain somewhere. How does that work?
The LANRover doesn’t use drivers, it echo’s precisely what it sees on the USB inputs to the USB outputs. So it works regardless of the devices it’s connecting. It isn’t like something that provides a LAN interface over USB and then some other peripheral that connects the LAN to the USB on the DAC. It’s much more like a USB hub.
It depends on how you’re connecting your computer to the DAC, if I understand your question.
If you’re connecting the PC to the Bridge then yes, you need a LAN connection. If you’re connecting your computer to the DAC via USB, then no, you do not need a LAN connection.
Paul McGowan said
It depends on how you're connecting your computer to the DAC, if I understand your question.
If you’re connecting the PC to the Bridge then yes, you need a LAN connection. If you’re connecting your computer to the DAC via USB, then no, you do not need a LAN connection.
Did I understand your question?
Not using a bridge, would be USB out to DAC, but does the PC with Roon server also need a LAN to see my NAS ? Controlling with iPad app.
Ted Smith said
The LANRover doesn't use drivers, if echo's precisely what it sees on the USB inputs to the USB outputs. So it works regardless of the devices it's connecting. It isn't like something that provides a LAN interface over USB and then some other peripheral that connects the LAN to the USB on the DAC. It's much more like a USB hub.
Thanks Ted! I really can't wait to try out the LANRover! There is nothing like it out there.
One last question for now. My implementation will be over my wired LAN. I understand that means the transmitter plugs into the USB output of the computer, and then eventually, either via direct Ethernet connection or via my switches and router ends up at my DAC and is turned back into USB via the “receiver”. The question is can I have multiple “receivers” on my network (with only one transmitter") if I have two USB DACs in my setup? This really intrigues me further if so, or are the two LANRover units truly a matched pair and that is the only option?
scirica said
One last question for now. My implementation will be over my wired LAN. I understand that means the transmitter plugs into the USB output of the computer, and then eventually, either via direct Ethernet connection or via my switches and router ends up at my DAC and is turned back into USB via the "receiver". The question is can I have multiple "receivers" on my network (with only one transmitter") if I have two USB DACs in my setup? This really intrigues me further if so, or are the two LANRover units truly a matched pair and that is the only option?
The devices are paired - but even if you "rekey" them USB is inherently a bidirectional protocol, there are no provisions for "broadcasting". Even if you cheat and only pay attention to the return from one peripheral unit there would likely be problems.
I use a laptop with a Jitterbug USB to the input on my Benchmark Dac2 HGC. I find I get the best SQ is running on the battery supply with Wi-Fi disabled. Even though I like the benefit of controlling the PC with Gizmo, I have left it disabled for the already mentioned SQ.
Am I right in thinking that with the LANRover any power supply noise and or degradation from Wi-Fi will be a non-issue with the LANRover?
I have sent my request to be a Beta tester. I will be patiently awaiting reply.
A year ago I didn’t have a clue about PC audio, and while I still qualify as a novice, I now understand it well enough to be getting great enjoyment from it. I now have 190+ vinyl LPs digitized and it has brought a whole new level of enjoyment to my listening sessions. I like the simplicity of the LANRover, reading above, some of the setups others have, is way over my head. At 61yrs old, I still like my physical media, but I now understand the attraction of computers. And I’m pleased to be a part of it.
Not using a bridge, would be USB out to DAC, but does the PC with Roon server also need a LAN to see my NAS ? Controlling with iPad app.
A NAS, by definition, needs a LAN. It stands for Network Attached Storage. A LAN is a network. The two go hand in hand.
If you don’t want to have the external hard drive connected over your network, just change from a NAS to a USB hard drive - and connect that to the PC. No NAS. Though, with an iPad, you’re either going to have to have a LAN with WIFI or connect the iPad through WIFI directly to the PC, which is hard to do if it isn’t a MAC.
if it’s only half of the difference to the bridge, I’m sure you’ll all buy it and you’ll have close to vinyl like flow of music and clearly less excessive detail pop up, more integrated
jazznut said
if it's only half of the difference to the bridge, I'm sure you'll all buy it and you'll have close to vinyl like flow of music and clearly less excessive detail pop up, more integrated
I'm interested in what you mean by "clearly less excessive detail pop up". Please explain.
I have a Melco N1A “Music Library” which is basically a NAS optimised for audio, with a USB connection to my DS via a Wyred4sound Recovery. Am I likely to get an improvement in sound quality with the Lanrover, bearing in mind the Melco and Recovery are both designed to address some of the same issues? Sorry if this is similar to previous questions from other members who also already have other tweaks in place…
jazznut said
if it's only half of the difference to the bridge, I'm sure you'll all buy it and you'll have close to vinyl like flow of music and clearly less excessive detail pop up, more integrated
I’m interested in what you mean by “clearly less excessive detail pop up”. Please explain.
At the beginning when playing to the DS DAC from PC over USB ( without further jitter bugs etc.) I had 1-2 problems with the sound. I already very much liked the ambiance and transparency delivered, but the extreme detail on the one hand was fascinating, on the other hand it drove like a bulldozer over the music. It was like seeing the Mona Lisa through an extra sharp Samsung LED, displaying every transient of the painting in an extra pronounced thin line, loosing the “whole thing”. It was not possible for me not to be fixed to that detail, which also made the music anything else than flowing and real. All said, considering a high aspiration level.
With the Bridge II then all those details were much better integrated in the flow of music, transients were sounding much more natural, the digital sounding edges were polished. It’s hard to describe and at the end came very close to one of the strengths of vinyl. Pace/timing improved, things got better without a possible dislike of anything of that change.
Thanks for that well articulated response. Perhaps that’s the same reason I find the Bridge to be a touch flat in my system. I have an Esoteric K-03X inbound and I’m curious to hook up the LANRover and see if there is any magic.
