Roon Nucleus Connection Guide
While it is technically possible to connect your Astell and Kern or Questyle into your Roon network we'll leave that discussion for another day. This page focuses on connecting digital to analog converters to Roon Nucleus and Nucleus Plus.
Roon Nucleus connections.
Clarity, detail, soundstage.
Warmth, fullness, bass.
Stock USB Cables = BAD IDEA
Non-audio cables are commodities. When CHEAP is the goal QUALITY suffers as anyone who've bought just about any cables for their computers knows. Most CHEAP cables need to be purchased many times from a variety of sources before finding a "good" one. And "good" in this context is the cable doesn't break within the first weeks. Doesn't take a Ph.D. in math to do the math and realize buying cables over and over isn't cheap.
Audio cables impact sound quality so CHEAP is less important than QUALITY. Can you use the same cheap USB cables you use with your computer? Yes, but audiophiles and music lovers can do the math. They know cheap means loss of sonic detail, less musical magic. Is it a pain to organize audio cables so they don't become confused with every other cable threatening to overwhelm your life and tech?
Pain is a relative thing. Some won't care about sound quality. People who don't care about their music aren't likely to be here reading this. Neither the Roon Nucleus or Nucleus plus comes with any cables other than the power chord, so adding any DAC needs a USB cable.
Roon Nucleus Connections
- On/Off Button
- Power Cable Input
- HDMI (Connect to Home Theater receivers)
- Network Connection (Ethernet to your router)
- USB A (DAC or external hard drives connect here)
- Firmware (not currently being used)
Silver Dragon USB Cables
Silver Dragon cables strengthen and clarify mid and upper range sounds. If you like more detail in your music you should select Silver Dragon USB cables to connect your DAC to Roon Nucleus.
Buy Silver Dragon USB Cable
Silver Dragon USB Reviews
We love Roger's passion and enthusiasm for how our Silver Dragon connects his gear.
Roger's Review
I use the Silver Dragon to connect my MacBook Pro to a McIntosh D100 digital preamp. Over the years I have bought far more expensive cables than the Silver Dragon and been far less happy with the quality than I am with the 'SD's. I listen to music mostly on electrostatic headphones and there is a small but noticeable difference with the Silver Dragon connector - the high frequencies seem brighter. A bonus feature is that I was able to customize the length of the Silver Dragon cable. To summarize, the Silver Dragon represents excellent value and gives your digital system noticeable improvement in sound reproduction.
Read more of the 22 customer reviews for Silver Dragon USB by clicking on the "REVIEWS" tab on the product page.
Black Dragon USB Cables
Black Dragon cables warm up and make sound feel fuller and more textured with low-end (bass) support.
Buy Black Dragon USB Cables
Black Dragon USB Reviews
We love Joseph's confidence.
"I was using a Black Dragon USB cable before, but I had to use a mini-usb to micro-usb adapter. I decided to get another one with the correct plug and bypass the adapter. It sounds much better now and really tames the bite of the high frequencies on my headphones. Best money that I have spent for cables in any form. My highest recommendation."
THANKS, Joseph! Find more Dragon USB customer reviews on our product page.