Rockna Wavedream NET/DAC digital audio platform

This isn’t our first rodeo with the Rockna Wavedream; my colleague Jason Kennedy went a few rounds with the Wavedream DAC here, but the addition of the Wavedream NET combination CD transport/server makes for a very different proposition altogether.

Ostensibly a buffered CD transport and DAC combination, the fun begins with the Wavedream NET in its dual role of CD player and full-function music server, sporting all the latest physical and software connections. And it really is a dual role; the CD transport stage shares little with the server, meaning that when the Wavedream NET is being a CD player, there is no influence from the server-side of things, and when it’s a server, the whole buffer and disc transport side keep to themselves. While this might seem counter-intuitive, it’s the right way of doing things.

The NET includes its own ripping software to burn and store CDs (either in its own onboard SSD storage or distributed through connected network-attached storage), but the ripper does not use the NETs own transport mechanism. For that, you need to buy a separate computer disc transport and connect to one of the rear USB ports. In fairness, when we spoke to Nicolae Jitariu, CEO and principal brain behind Rockna, he said that “the CD transport part is stand-alone and does not use the server-side at all. If we chose to make the CD playback use the server CPU, there was a good chance that we could not get the same sound quality.” In this respect, he was referring to both its use as a ripper and as a standalone player. While Jitariu suggested this might be a future option, (“We are exploring an option that will include an internal switch regarding the drive connection which would be ideal, possibly making a hardware revision in the future if it ended up working fine”), he was also quick to point out that it might be academic, “There are not many people using the ripping feature as far as I know. Instead, they use local storage or streaming.” This seems to tally with the results from a lot of server manufacturers we have spoken to recently. While the idea of ripping CDs is still a ‘thing’, most people have either already ripped their discs or have moved over to streaming sources like Qobuz and Tidal. The notion of having a damn good CD player still holds for many, but often independent of the streaming and networked audio option. With the Wavedream NET, you get to keep those options open. And, if you do decide to rip discs, USB-based drives are still cheap and relatively widely available. Rockna uses a backbone of Cdparanoia for its ripping software, which both compensates for the hardware and creates a bit-perfect rip. The use of Cdparanoia also points to the Rockna Wavedream NET’s Linux operating system architecture.

If you look to the rear of the Wavedream NET, alongside the usual suspects (S/PDIF through RCA and BNC, a balanced AES/EBU output on XLR, a fast Ethernet connection, and two USB ports) there are also two HDMI links for I²S connection. This was originally designed with the idea of multiple inputs and outputs, allowing the Wavedream NET to form the hub of a far wider digital audio network. While this isn’t the digital future that we ended up living in (multiroom systems tend to run along Ethernet because of the physical limitations of other cable architectures), Jitariu does point to the potential use of that second HDMI link, “In the future, we plan to use them together in a so-called ‘super-I²S’ connection, which will only work between our devices. Of course, a dedicated software needs to be written, but that’s the plan.”

That requires a DAC with two I²S-enabled HDMI connections, which brings us neatly on to a quick recap of the highlights within Rockna’s Wavedream DAC. The Wavedream DAC is based on R2R ladder DACs and can be purchased in single-ended form with its custom RD-1 converter modules, or in balanced guise with XLR outputs and two RD-0 ladder DAC modules to produce a genuinely balanced output. There are also Signature versions of both balanced and single-ended DACs that use superior quality passive components in vital parts of the digital and analogue pathway. The modules themselves are complex pieces of technology, sharing a ‘discrete sign-magnitude hybrid ladder topology’, driven by a sophisticated – and, if needed, upgradable – algorithm embedded stored on FPGA. Both modules can sustain a maximum sample rate of 6MHz. The DAC output is run unbuffered, but allows users a range of adjustment options; as well as selecting from linear, minimum, and hybrid filters or no filtering at all. Rockna upsamples all inputs 16 times and the DAC operates at either 768kHz or 705.6kHz depending on the original signal. It includes Rockna’s unique Femtovox clock distribution architecture to reduce jitter in key sections of the converter, rather than just aiming for a pointless ‘lowest jitter ever’ overall figure. The output stage is a discrete design using traditional ‘through hole’ components, combining J-FET and bi-polar transistors in a Class A design. The DAC can play both PCM and DSD digital formats to 32bit 44.1-384k PCM, and DSD64-512 on its USB and I²S links, and supports HQPlayer but eschews MQA. Like its Wavedream NET counterpart, the Wavedream DAC uses a high-grade linear power supply, and also like the NET, the DAC supports twin I2S HDMIs, USB, AES/EBU and S/PDIF over RCA, although both Ethernet and the second BNC digital output of the Wavedream NET are not matched in the DAC.

The Wavedream NET connects to the outside world via its Ethernet connection, granting you access to network-attached storage (through UPnP/DLNA), local devices (via Airplay), or online sources, as well as any FLAC, WAV, or MP3 files stored in the Wavedream NET’s on-board storage and discs played directly through its CD transport architecture. All of these are connected through a single HDMI cable to the Wavedream DAC, benefitting in the process to the most untrammelled digital pathway in all of audio; I²S. The Wavedream DAC can be operated as a digital preamplifier, but we used it with a high-performance preamplifier as the control heart of the system.

Once installed, operating the combined Wavedream NET/Wavedream DAC is effortless. The NET does all the heavy lifting in terms of accessing digital files, using the company’s strongly recommended choices of Roon (or MPD – Music Player Daemon) to act both as a server and main controller. The Wavedream NET runs relatively fast for a dedicated server, too. Switching from CD replay to local storage to Qobuz will incur a delay of a second and change (about as long as it takes to change inputs on a remote-controlled relay-driven preamp) but moving from album to album within Roon is as near instantaneous as you might get from most dedicated servers. The DAC ‘simply’ takes whatever music you give it, upsamples it, and outputs it with your choice of filter options.

The Rockna Wavedream NET and DAC provide a neat answer to the ‘streaming, downloading or CD… which is best?’ question because the Wavedream duo handle them all equally well. So, the answer is ‘all of them!’

Loading a CD into the Wavedream NET is a slightly slower process than usual because it loads the contents of a disc into a buffer. This is very much in line with models from companies like PS Audio or MSB; that might come as no surprise given Nicolae Jitariu’s substantial input into the PS Audio and MSB digital platforms. Playing buffered CD files is a more comprehensive and inherently more expensive way of playing a disc than the conventional way of live laser vs polycarbonate. It’s also better in almost all ways… and not only because you can eject the disc and still play music. In a time before streaming, the rare player that pulled the contents of a disc into memory first was a rare treat, making a sound that is more refined, more precise and more like the sound you get from good analogue tape or LP than most digital. This isn’t digital audio with the edges filed off, but digital audio free from the harshness and brashness. I played the excellent Orange by the Attacca Quartet [Nonesuch], which combines well-recorded strings with the sort of explosive dynamics and difficult microdynamic string squeaks and squeals that is an acid test for a player. The Rockna duo aced this track, not only portraying all those difficult bits with aplomb but bringing out the musical themes so easily lost in all that sound.

Breaking up the band for a moment, the Wavedream NET is a refined and elegant sounding CD transport, with an equally attractive sound from its server-side, and Wavedream Signature DAC is richly detailed, well-timed, and extremely natural sounding… but those positives are raised by an order of magnitude when the two devices join forces. This is one of those great synergies where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, even though the parts are pretty damn great in and of themselves.

I played the title track of Electrified by Boris Blank [Blank Media], which is fast-paced with plenty of deep bass notes and more than a little bit of digitally harsh top-end. It’s a bit of an acid test of both CD and streaming because it can quickly reduce itself down to a bright, brash mess. Here it retained the thrill and energy in that top-end delivery but never fell into the trap of equating top-end energy with top-end brightness.

In playing Mi Buenos Aires Querido by Daniel Barenboim, Hector Console and Rodolfo Mederos [Teldec], the Wavedream duo exhibited all the right traits, such as outstanding imaging, meticulous detail, powerful dynamics and superb instrumental articulation and projection. Of those sonic aspects, soundstaging was particularly noteworthy; the Rockna duo makes for a stereo soundstage that is as taut as it is big, and yet inviting all the same. Moving over to vocal music and the sense of ‘in the room’ projection and vocal articulation draws you ever closer to the music. But there’s something more and deeper than those audiophile tropes; on a fundamental level, the Rockna sounds refined and sophisticated, almost debonair in approach. It gives a true star quality to its sound, and ‘star quality’ in the classic sense, like a Cary Grant or a Grace Kelly. And yet, for all this grace and refinement, this is no effete performer. Play something with a powerful beat and you are met with music red in tooth and claw.

Consequently, pulling out musical examples to highlight aspects of performance is almost academic, because it’s universally good. I played graunchy rock, phat-bass electronica, small jazz combos, string quartets, large orchestral pieces, and everything from bel canto to hand-wringing stabby ‘she dies at the end’ opera. All of which were played with grace when called up and rock-throwing power and energy when required. Unless given very close scrutiny up against the Anointed Ones of digital (all of which cost many, many times more than this Rockna combo), the limits of the Rockna are upstream (poor recordings) or downstream (whatever idiosyncrasies your system introduces). And often, even when compared to those Anointed Ones, they are often more about making the best technical discovery of digits than unlocking the music that drives us to explore more. To get a bit Zen in all this; a lot of digital front ends are simply fingers pointing at the Moon, and while many systems make us look at the finger, the Rockna shows us how we should be looking at the Moon.

Pretentious psychobabble aside, Rockna’s Wavedream NET and Wavedream DAC is that rare thing in audio; a universal good. Whether the duo is your gateway from CD to streaming or used as your digital one-stop shop, it makes a strong case for being all you may ever need.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Wavedream NET

• Type: Solid-state music server memory playback and CD player
• Storage: optional from 1TB SSD hard drive
• Network connection: RJ45 Ethernet
• Digital Outputs: HD Link (I²S over HDMI), AES/EBU, S/PDIF via coaxial & BNC
• Back up & expansion: 2× USB
• Disc drive: CD, DVD, Blu-ray
• Formats supported: WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, OGG Vorbis, AAC, MP3, DoP (DSD over PCM)
• Streaming services supported: Tidal
• Playback software supplied: Roon
• User Interface: Web browser, Roon control application
• Dimensions (H×W×D): 70 × 420 × 320mm
• Weight: 10kg
• Price: Wavedream Net 1TB SSD £8,495 (2TB SSD  £8,995, 4TB SSD £9,795)

Wavedream DAC


• Type: Solid-state high-resolution PCM and DSD-capable digital-to-analogue converter/preamplifier
• Digital Inputs: AES/EBU, coaxial, 2× HD-Link (I²S over HDMI), USB 2.0
• Analogue Outputs: Single-ended on RCA phono, balanced on XLR
• DAC Resolution/Supported Digital Formats: PCM from 44.1KHz to 384KHz with word lengths up to 24-bit, DSD64 (2.8224MHz) and DSD128 (5.6448MHz), DSD256 (11.2896MHz), DSD512 (22.5792Mhz). 384KHz and DSD above 2.8224MHz via USB and HDMI only
• Distortion (THD + Noise at -6dB): < 0.003% or -90dB
• Output Voltage (max): 6.6Vpp single ended, 13.2Vpp XLR
• User Interface: 128×64 yellow OLED display, dimmable in 8 steps
• Dimensions (H×W×D): 90 × 440 × 360mm
• Weight: 7.8kg
• Price: Wavedream Edition DAC (balanced) £8,195, Signature (single-ended) £10,495, Signature (balanced) £14,795

Manufacturer: Rockna Electronics SRL

URL: rockna-audio.com

UK Distributor: Audiofreaks

Tel: +44(0)20 8948 4153

URL: audiofreaks.co.uk 

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