Gary SteelDAC experts Metrum create a device specifically to make the most of ROON.
For many, Roon is becoming the key software source for their music listening with its clever co-ordination of music library and music magazine-like information. AMBRE is described as the perfect Roon end-point, a component that fishes out the highest quality sound from Roon Labs software.
AMBRE is a dedicated Roon Labs end-point digital bridge which connects directly to the net via standard LAN input. It integrates through your network to streamers, PC (Windows & Mac), NAS (Network Attached Storage) or other network device.
Roon was launched in 2015 and is a music manager (software player). It can also integrate with other software player platforms (Jriver, etc), in which case sound quality will be determined by that player – not Roon.
Roon looks at your music and finds photos, bios, reviews, lyrics, and concert dates and makes connections between artists, composers, performers, conductors, and producers. It’s described as a searchable, surfable magazine about your music.
Various DSP (Digital Sound Processing) engines are also available for headroom, sample rate, equalisers and DSD conversion to PCM format, for example. Room correction software is also possible.
AMBRE matches the Amethyst Headphone Amplifier/DAC in size and design. There is one LAN input and to provide compatibility with other products a choice of AES/EBU, RCA and Optical Digital outputs are available. Considerable effort has been spent optimising a preferred Inter-IC-Sound (I2S) output with RJ45 connectors. This type of connection was never intended for external use originally, and was designed by Philips as an audio data serial bus interface for inter-circuit PCM connection – within a CD player, for example.
An optional I2S module is available for Metrum’s DACs to enable connection to AMBRE (replacing the USB module). AMBRE features Galvanic separation, Femto clocks and is driven by a 30VA Linear Power supply.
AMBRE Specs :
Working principle : Linux based Roon end-point using Femto precision clocks
Power supply : 30VA
Power consumption : Standby < 1 Watt – Full operation 6 Watts
Power requirement : 110/115V AC or 220/230 V AC 60/50Hz
Input : Lan (local area network) max. 100 Mbps
Outputs : 1 x Optical Toslink, 1 x RCA Coax, 1 x AES/EBU & I2S
Sampling frequency : Optical : 44.1 – 96 kHz sampling, Coaxial : 44.1 – 192 kHz sampling and I2S : 44.1- 192 kHz sampling
Dimensions : H x W x D : 19 x 6 x 25 cm
Weight : 2.5Kg
Price : NZ $2100 and Australia $1825 (NZ GST exempt).
Hi Gary
I have been listening to Tidal for 2 weeks now and not even bothered comparing to my trusty CD Players. It all comes down to recording quality and I’m impressed … with CD quality. Won’t bother with premium sub because as you say, the choice is (beyond) ‘stink’ anyway.
Finding new music at the touch of a button is addictive. I was also informed last year that it’s great to check out music used in Reviews – to listen particularly to what a Reviewer has to say about replay aspects.
I only have Tanita Tikarum on Vinyl, so if your Cambridge app is tuned in listen to Ancient Heart ‘Twist in my Sobriety’. And I could list many but 2 more … Angus & Julia Stone Big Jet Plane ‘Living on a Rainbow’ – and Disturbed ‘The Sound of Silence’ (Live on Conan).
I lied – Rock Albums Vol 8 (Puff Daddy Feat, Jimmy) … Led Zeps ‘Come with Me’.