Hi, I tried this device out just to get to know Roon Essentials and discovered to my surprise that it plays 24/96 and 24/192 content as 24/48. Via coax SPDIF that is. The Toslink output gives such bad results it should not even be considered to be able to compete with the coax output.
It seems, unbelievable as it is, that no one noticed this as I read quite a few reviews (FWIW...as we can see reviews are best avoided). Elac was not so keen on giving support, even reluctant to acknowledge this phenomenon and trying to divert attention to the external DAC (which does not make a difference of course) and the material itself being the culprit. So, a little disappointed I sent the device back while it was still possible. I would have liked to find out the exact cause as the hardware seems capable of playing back 24/192.
I found Roon Essentials to be the best software I have used till now and in this version the most optimal as all the necessary stuff is concentrated on 1 device which is the Discovery. The subscription model and high price of the original Roon won't work for me but the Roon Essentials version cuts the cake. The confusing playback of high res material however was enough for me to stop testing. Does this ring a bell? It does play the material but always as 24/48 as it seems. A hard reset and doing all updates does not make a difference. The device I tested was an early 2016/2017 version sold in 2020. Mainboard revision F, internal OS version 1.3, Roon Essentials version 1.7.
It seems, unbelievable as it is, that no one noticed this as I read quite a few reviews (FWIW...as we can see reviews are best avoided). Elac was not so keen on giving support, even reluctant to acknowledge this phenomenon and trying to divert attention to the external DAC (which does not make a difference of course) and the material itself being the culprit. So, a little disappointed I sent the device back while it was still possible. I would have liked to find out the exact cause as the hardware seems capable of playing back 24/192.
I found Roon Essentials to be the best software I have used till now and in this version the most optimal as all the necessary stuff is concentrated on 1 device which is the Discovery. The subscription model and high price of the original Roon won't work for me but the Roon Essentials version cuts the cake. The confusing playback of high res material however was enough for me to stop testing. Does this ring a bell? It does play the material but always as 24/48 as it seems. A hard reset and doing all updates does not make a difference. The device I tested was an early 2016/2017 version sold in 2020. Mainboard revision F, internal OS version 1.3, Roon Essentials version 1.7.
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"I struggled to play anything higher than 24/48 resolution for a bit, until a realized that it was an issue with the ELAC Discovery. I called them up, they said it was a known issue on earlier models and they fixed it for me and had it back at my doorstep in three days. So support is good."
From here: 🔷 ELAC Discovery Server - #5 by db_Cooper - [Official] DACs - HifiGuides Forums
From here: 🔷 ELAC Discovery Server - #5 by db_Cooper - [Official] DACs - HifiGuides Forums
Good find. Elac Germany was not so supportive. Since I like to get what I pay for and think this should count for all buyers I opened this thread. The advertising and marketing all point to 24/192 playback via coax and also the firmware is clear on this. I can not imagine Elac not being aware of this and suspect newer revisions have this silently fixed.
Disclaimer: I am quite fond of Elac and their products so even some bias in favor of Elac.
Disclaimer: I am quite fond of Elac and their products so even some bias in favor of Elac.
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As mentioned in post #1 yes, it was a 2016/2017 model sold in 2020. Since I am repeating anyway: it is strange that no reviewer noticed this when the device was introduced.
If you own a Discovery then please check how your device functions. Yes, there are 2 approaches but denial is not the strongest one in general 😉
Anyway if the device I had for a short while wouldn't have exhibited this issue I probably would have kept it. Too bad it does not have storage possibility and lacks a power switch.
Anyway if the device I had for a short while wouldn't have exhibited this issue I probably would have kept it. Too bad it does not have storage possibility and lacks a power switch.
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I’ve got one purchased in late ‘18 and it outputs 24/192 via coax when it’s fed it (at least according to my Yamaha reciever). I never tried the toslink.
It’s quite a capable little unit, good control app, good dac (CS4350/OPA2134).....I like it.
It’s quite a capable little unit, good control app, good dac (CS4350/OPA2134).....I like it.
Yes I also liked it a lot. When the Yamaha device says it is 24/192 I think my suspicion that the error was discovered and corrected in more recent models is true.
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That looks OK. I first read post #11 and thought: how can someone write that nonsense? 😀 It is good that you posted the pictures a minute later 🙂
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I forgot to add the attachment. I will post the 192kHz later.
I want to use the Discovery together with my Hypex active threeway. You had me freakin' out a little bit.
Mine's fine.
I want to use the Discovery together with my Hypex active threeway. You had me freakin' out a little bit.
Mine's fine.
Found a new 2018 one and it was tested for me. It plays 24/96 without issues so I dare to assume 24/192 will work OK too. It will be delivered this week.
Still I think the support of Elac Germany regarding the first 2016/2017 series of devices is disappointing. After some feedback from other Elac Discovery owners I now know for sure that the first series play high res data but only at 24/48 which apparently is not noticed by the owners nor the reviewers 😀 Of course the fact that it simply plays music makes it somewhat harder to discover even though its own interface clearly shows what is happening. The issue is known but apparently only solved for customers in the USA.
Still I think the support of Elac Germany regarding the first 2016/2017 series of devices is disappointing. After some feedback from other Elac Discovery owners I now know for sure that the first series play high res data but only at 24/48 which apparently is not noticed by the owners nor the reviewers 😀 Of course the fact that it simply plays music makes it somewhat harder to discover even though its own interface clearly shows what is happening. The issue is known but apparently only solved for customers in the USA.
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Hey jean-paul, glad you found one…….just to be sure you were aware of it, there is a sample rate selection in settings.
Another thing is the loudness leveling, it really helps while streaming because some albums have a significant difference between them, I find the SQ doesn’t suffer and it has selectable lufs level with default being -14
I find -23 to work best in my system…….you might want to play around with that.
Another thing is the loudness leveling, it really helps while streaming because some albums have a significant difference between them, I find the SQ doesn’t suffer and it has selectable lufs level with default being -14
I find -23 to work best in my system…….you might want to play around with that.
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