
It’s taken a few years, but the Rockna Audio Wavelight Server is finally here. This matches the Wavelight DAC/preamplifier. This makes for a two-box streaming replay system that could take over all your front-end duties, but the Wavelight Server faces some stiff competition.
Rockna Audio’s Wavelight Server (WLS) is the obvious partner for the Rockna Wavelight DAC, and bears some resemblance to the Wavedream NET but without the CD transport or display. It runs an AMD 7 series FPGA as its audio engine meaning firmware is easy to upload, and it runs a low-power 2/4 core CPU with 8GB of RAM on-board. The sample we received had a 2TB solid-state storage solution, but you can go as high as 16TB on-board, as well as adding Network Attached Storage boxes on the Ethernet network it runs on.
Like many servers, it runs on the Linux operating system, but is best used with Roon Core. As it stands, the best way to operate the Wavelight Server is entirely under Roon’s wing, but Rockna’s own app and the promise of a greater set of digital audio options said to be unlocked soon (including CD ripping and Internet radio) means the Wavelight Server will only grow with time.
Development time!
The outputs speak to Rockna Audio wanting people to use the Wavelight Server with Wavelight DACs. It has one LAN/Ethernet port, thee USB connections (one USB 3.0, the others USB 2.0) and outputs for TOSlink and RCA under the S/PDIF standard, an XLR connector for AES/EBU and a HDMI connection designed specifically for Rockna I2S connections. Although the superior digital connection (it’s like speaking digital without even a hint of an accent), I2S is notable by lacking a standard, or a standardised port. The ‘Rosetta Stone of digital’ appeals to engineers, but its lack of standardisation means of the two models sporting I2S transmission protocols, one uses the Ethernet RJ45 connector, and this one features HDMI, meaning they are not easily compatible. There are work-arounds and kludges, but that does make I2S-related products stay in their lane. Also, because the Wavelight Server is designed to only see USB for its expansion properties, it’s purpose as a DAC connector takes a back seat. USB output is therefore non-upsampling, and this isn’t the sort of thing that will get upgraded with a firmware boost. This is why the Wavelight DAC, with its matching HDMI-compatible I2S port, begins to look very alluring to Wavelight Server customers.
Almost automagic for the people
The joy of the Rockna is it is largely self-configuring. Plug in a network connected LAN cable and a power button and it sets itself up, with a colour-coded centre logo depicting what the device is doing. The important ones are white (indicting everything is working fine) and pulsating turquoise (indicating it’s booting up). If this glows red, the Ethernet cable isn’t plugged in and if orange, it means it can’t access an IP address. Once booted, the server can be explored through its control interface by typing its local address into any computer’s browser on that network. Everything is established almost automagically… Although you need to manually enter that address on that browser window. While there are easier server installations (Innuos springs to mind), the Rockna strikes a good balance between the overly simple plug ‘n’ play systems – which often trade functionality for simplicity – and complex, made for installer devices that might be infinitely configurable, but are far beyond the skills of most domestic users.
Then there’s the easy expandability. Rockna is a relatively small company, and its product roll-outs are slow, but thorough. Sure, there will be those who will insist that today’s server be packed with tomorrow’s upgrades, but Rockna provides the server as a lot more than a work-in-progress and customers today are not beta-testers. The Server as a Roon platform works extremely well, the dedicated app is well executed too (although few apps have the slickness of either Roon or Sonos… that only comes when you have more people working on the app than most audio companies have in their whole team).
The two future features I want unlocked soon though are an ability to access Internet Radio and the ripping software. Even this last doesn’t seem the deal-breaker it was a few years ago; most people listening to locally streamed music today are getting it from online sources, and an even greater number stream direct from online servers.
Let’s put it this way. A friend who a few years ago approached me to find a good solution to rip his hundreds of discs admitted something to me at the end of last year. He said that he hadn’t noticed his NAS box storing all those discs had crashed for almost six months. Roon simply directed him to his musical happy place (Qobuz) and he streamed music from there and never once looked to his own collection. It was only when looking for a particular Eric Burdon and War track that wasn’t on Qobuz at the time that he noticed his NAS box wasn’t responding. Maybe the ability to rip discs is more something ‘we like the idea of’ rather than something we actually ‘use’ these days.
All that upcoming software additions have to remain just beyond arm’s reach at this time. It’s best to think of the Wavelight Server as either the logical next step in the Wavedream NET’s evolution or one of the best Roon Core products out there. Or possibly both. One thing is clear; it sounds great. While this server is a logical proposition for Wavelight DAC owners – to the point where the Wavelight Server would need to be physically broken before it would fail to get their seal of approval – I wanted to see how it performed in the wild. So, it got hooked to the AES/EBU input of the Moon by Simaudio 791 Network player preamplifier that featured in issue 227. And it was a perfect partner.
In a way, it was so good a partner, it became effectively invisible, just making excellent music. The sound it produces is both extremely transparent and has a strong sense of detail to the point where it will easily expose less than ideal recordings with ease. It doesn’t suffer musical fools gladly and any track with a little too much compression or those recordings that stick a little bit too much syrupy thickness in the bottom end to fill out a male voice (or tweak the 3kHz-7kHz region to make a female vocal a tad too much) and you’ll know. On the other hand, play something really well recorded and you’ll know that too. You’ll be met with a precision of spatial property, a solidity that increases that sense of ‘being there’ and surprisingly excellent dynamic range from a network-enabled device.
Swapping inputs
The Wavelight Server is also sensitive enough to make the changes between digital input clear and easy to define. Switching to S/PDIF on the same DAC elicited a less full-bodied but arguably more responsive musical delivery, with a slightly foreshortened soundstage compared to the AES/EBU input. USB… not a fan. There are better systems available if you have to use that connection; it comes over as slightly anaemic by comparison.
Of course, those going full Wavelight are in for a treat, as I2S really is the way to go. Regrettably, I didn’t have the chance to use this connection here, but casting my mind back to the sound between Wavedream products, the AES/EBU and S/PDIF sounds were in line with those on the Wavelight, and I2S made for a tighter, more controlled and also more exciting performance in every aspect.
But even in its worst use-case, the Wavelight Server is always a ‘deft’ and ‘detailed’ performer in every aspect of performance. It made me want to explore music more and did so with such equanimity, that it applied equally to every genre. While it doesn’t leave bad and compressed recordings any place to hide, it’s never less than exceptionally detailed, dynamic and open sounding, and even the worst recordings can benefit from that. I can only report what I have heard, and what I have experienced in my room. And when the recording is in the top class, the experience is about as good as it gets. I can’t wait to see what the future unlocks for the Wavelight Server and how it sounds beyond Roon.
The Rockna Audio Wavelight Server is simply a ‘must have’ for any owners of Wavelight DACs, and will probably occupy many shelves that were intended for the Wavedream NET, too. If you don’t play CDs, the Wavelight Server is arguably the better proposition. But beyond the Rockna fraternity, the Wavelight Server makes a strong case for itself as tomorrow’s musical home for many digital systems. Your recordings will thank you for the Rockna!
Technical specifications
- Type Music Server, optional audio end point
- Server side 2/4 core low-power CPU, 8GB RAM, 2TB–16TB storage
- Audio Engine AMD 7 series FPGA
- Clock system 2× CCHD957
- PSU linear 2× toroidal transformers
- Input Ethernet(LAN)
- Outputs I2S, AES/EBU, S/PDIF, Toslink, USB (no upsampling)
- Software Roon Server, Music Player Daemon, Roon Bridge, UPnP AV Renderer, OpenHome Renderer, HQPlayer NAA, Airplay Renderer
- Upcoming software release LMS core, CD ripping, room correction, direct streaming, radio
- Finish Black, Silver
- Price £5,999 (with 2TB HDD)
Manufacturer
Rockna
UK distributor
Audiofreaks
+44(0)208 948 4153
Tags: ROCKNA AUDIO WAVELIGHT SERVER
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