Roon - the next step?

[David A]

I just realised that I used a USB-to-ETH adapter made by Apple when I used my Macbook Air as a source hence quickly inserted the USB into the Roon Nucleus and the Ethernet cable into the adapter from the router. The Audioquest Diamond moved directly to the Roon Nucleus and feeds the Devialets. 

Indeed - it works and does so well ... no hitches !!

I will need to evaluate whether this DIRECT Ethernet connection is preferred vs. via the switch ... (will let you guys know in a few days) 

Thanks to ALL for the great-great support !!

I hadn't thought of doing it that way. I assumed that the USB connections on the server were for things like attaching drives rather than it being possible to use them for a network connection because that's the suggestions that Antipodes make for their use on my DS. Now you have me intrigued and I may see about trying it myself but I don't have an adapter so it's either buy or borrow and I don't know if I want to buy.

…Just because innuos and antipodes do it doesn’t mean you need it - they’ve got products to sell and need a way to convince you to buy them. If it’s really necessary you have to ask yourself why Devialet wouldn’t have included in the CI the Ethernet cleanup technology required.

Just because a manufacturer selling a product is making some claim doesn't mean the claim is true or that I need the product but it also doesn't mean that the claim isn't true or that I don't need the product. Yes, they do try to convince people to buy their products but that doesn't mean that the products aren't worthwhile or that they don't work as claimed.

And if it's really necessary and Devialet didn't include it in the CI boarding also in the older amps without the CI board which would also benefit from it if it's necessary then what we really have to ask ourselves given that it is necessary is what's the best way of going about getting that benefit in our setups. Asking why Devialet didn't do anything about it, and even getting an answer, doesn't do anything to solve the issue and if it is really necessary then there is an issue.

Is there an issue? Is what Innuos and Antipodes and maybe some others say correct and does a direct network connection between server and Devialet offer genuine benefits? I don't know but nothing you said in your post goes to prove that there is or isn't an issue. What we have is an absence of proof one way or the other. Absence of proof for a claim doesn't mean that the claim is true, and absence of proof for a rejection of the claim doesn't mean that the rejection is wrong. Absence of proof just means no one knows for certain one way or another so we should exercise caution when voting with our wallets and whatever way we eventually choose to do there is a chance that we will have made the wrong choice. Buy the claims and buy the product and if you're lucky you get real benefits, if you're unlucky you've wasted money. Don't buy the claims and don't buy the product and if you're lucky you're no worse off, if you're unlucky then you've missed out on something that could have been beneficial to you. Take your choice, we all do. Choosing to buy and choosing not to buy are both decisions which are consciously made and in the absence of proof one way or another there's no way to tell which is the right decision.