Hey guys, I have one 2.1 setup for both music and movie playback. My setup consists of the following:
1. Asus VivoPC as an HTPC w/Windows 10/JRiver MC21 (MC22 upgrade license already purchased).
2. PC goes into a McIntosh D100 DAC via USB.
3. DAC goes into a McIntosh C200 Preamp/Decware Taboo MK II Amp/Omega Speakers + sub
4. My music and movie files are stored on WD MyCloud NAS (JRiver reads my files from the NAS and plays them back through the USB DAC).
It's pretty much your basic 2.1 stereo setup that includes a NAS/HTPC. I was considering purchasing a microRendu rather than go with an expensive CAPS PC build, but I'm worried about playback using the JRiver interface. The microRendu may significantly enhance playback of audio files, but I also need and want to hear movie audio and other typical PC noises, etc. And although the microRendu sounds pretty cool and to an extent, be less expensive than building a CAPS build ~ I feel that JRiver Library playback and other system noises are more important.
The selectable output modes for the microRendu are:
SELECTABLE OUTPUT MODES
Mode #1 - SqueezeLite Output - This output works with any Logitech Media Server and compatible controllers. This output supports true gapless playback of PCM and DSD/DoP.
Mode #2 - ShairPort Output - This is an AirPlay emulator that utilizes streams sent to it from a compatible source. This output supports true gapless playback of PCM.
Mode #3 - MPD/DLNA Output:
Mode #3a - DLNA Output - This output utilizes streams from UPNP/DLNA servers and controllers. This output can be configured as an OpenHome renderer. This output supports true gapless playback of PCM, DSD/DoP, and native DSD.
Mode #3b - MPD Output - This output is intended to work with a SMB mount. This output supports true gapless playback of PCM, DSD/DoP, and native DSD.
Mode #4 - HQ Player NAA Output - This output utilizes streams from Signalyst's HQ Player running on your computer. Digital signal processing is performed by HQ Player and then asynchronously streamed to the Network Audio Adapter (NAA) output. This output supports true gapless playback of PCM, DSD/DoP, and native DSD.
Mode #5 - RoonReady Output - This output utilizes streams from Roon. This output supports true gapless playback of PCM, DSD/DoP, and native DSD.
I'm wondering if ...
(a) Will the microRendu even work with JRiver MC21 at all?
(b) since the DAC pretty much handles all of my PC's audio from watching youtube videos through MS Edge browser, to the Tidal app, movies and music through JRiver, etc. Will I still be able to hear movies and other system noises/sounds that my PC makes?
Thanks in advance for any input!