Ok, I have posted on this subject in a number of topics.
To provide Roon connectivity to the older generation of Naim Network players I looked at a number of options.
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SonoreUPnP Bridge, an out-of-the-box supported solution where the Roon stream is presented on the Ethernet port in UPnP format.
This software runs on a range of equipment, i) an appliance from Small Green Computers at $229
Sonore UPnP Bridge – Small Green Computer
ii) A Sonore Rendu device, the cheapest being a microRendu, available directly or from their Distributors such as Martin at http://www.vortexbox.co.uk/
It also runs on the UltraRendu, OpticalRendu and SignatureRendu
iii) The sonicTransponder server range from Small Green Computers and distributors including Martin at http://www.vortexbox.co.uk/ where you can run your Roon Core plus the SonoreUPnP bridge on the same device. The i5 version has been reported to run Roon and the bridge well.
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The open source LMS2UPNP software which runs on Linux platform. Cheapest solution is a RPi. A Built-it and maintain-it yourself solution. No major hardware requirements involved from CPU or RAM if you run it as a dedicated headless solution.
I have it as a backup solution on a RPi2 which I use to run Asset 7.2 UPnP server. I use DietPi, as a lightweight stripped down OS.
Some Linux knowledge and skill required to build, install OS, install and configure the LMS2UPNP, but there are guides on this forum.
There is also Windows version of the UPnP Bridge, but you would need a Windows platform to be running when listening. This maybe an option if you run your Roon Core on Windows, so have this platform available. However I have found that Music server, Bridges etc. run better on dedicated computing platforms with OS stripped down just to serve them and ideally a lower noise environment. Something you don’t get with normal Windows or a Mac environments.
Again as with the SonoreUPnP bridge the Roon endpoint presents a bit-perfect stream to the Ethernet input in UPnP format.
The Naim Network player will auto select the input when the streams starts. You then have to actively stop the stream in Roon if you want to select another input, otherwise it will jump back to the Ethernet input and continue to play the stream from Roon.
So this solution may not be the best for the Streaming Preamps in the 272 & 172.
Each UPnP Bridged endpoint needs its own Bridge, as it configured for each, and one maintains one stream at a time. So a multi-room system will require multiple, or a configuration of the bridge to direct the stream to a different endpoint.
- A Roon endpoint that outputs S/PDIF based digital output to used on one the digital inputs of the Naim device (this is the only solution if you just have an nDAC or V1 DAC).
There are many solutions here.
- A RPi with a HAT that has a S/PDIF convertor, such as HifiBerry, Allo
- A Chromecast Audio with TOSLINK optical output (limited on the formats supported, but up to 24/92)
- A NAA player with USB output, then a USB->S/PDIF convertor
- A dedicated Bridge product with S/PDIF output, such as Sonore Endpoint Sonore - endPoint, DCS Bridge, Limetree Bridge Lindemann
There are many different products here, all with different merits. However you are converting a packet based stream to a synchronous digital stream to feed into the Digital input on the Naim Network player. In doing so, the format conversion will potentially introduce its own characteristic as well as the possibility of jitter. However this is very dependant of the solution and good designs will strive to minimise this, but it is another set of variables in the playback path that can influence the SQ.
My feeling is that the Naim Network players such as ND5XS, NDX, NDS etc. were designed for a Networked input, and the playback path optimized for a UPnP stream. This is the format Naim still use to showcase their 500 series and Statement products. As such the UPnP Bridge solution is better served, as a Bit-perfect stream.
I have listened to a number of these solutions on my NDS/555DR and before this a ND5XS/NP5XS (and for a while NDS/NP5XS). When comparing different NAA devices into a S/PDIF convertor, I feel they loose to the UPnP Bridge playback in terms of timing & presentation.
I have the LMS2UPNP solution available on the RPI2 and prefer the SonoreUPnP bridge I have running on an UltraRendu/UltraCap LPS 1.0 - but that’s in my system with Sim Audio Moon amp, B&W 805 Signature speakers etc in my room.