In my writing about the Grimm MU2 , you could say it felt like an “endgame.” I was somewhat convinced of that, and quite happy about it—or rather, peace and quiet in the audio booth. Lugging audio gear around is becoming a real problem. My body was out of sorts for a few days after the adventure with the new stands for the Xanadu HRS22 , even though I didn’t even do the heavy lifting myself. But done is done, now time to enjoy it.
Anyway, the satisfaction was true until Jos and Rob from Magna Hifi came up with the idea to introduce me to the Rockna Wavedream Reference Signature, because it was supposed to be really good and I could still handle swapping out a streamer/DAC.
Well, it wasn’t actually that moment, but the moment the device was connected to my set and the first sounds came from the Xanadus… I was quickly convinced, and it turned out the MU2 isn’t an endgame.
Rockna Wavedream Reference Signature—it’s quite a mouthful for a DAC with streaming functionality, isn’t it? But it does indicate that this is the cream of the crop in Rockna’s Wavedream line. The price also suggests that, as it barely touches €27,000. The design went to extremes, and everything has been optimized from power supply to output.
Rockna is a brand I’ve never used myself. I’ve heard them at audio shows, but those were in settings where I can’t really infer absolute quality, due to unusual setups and listening rooms.
© Rockna
© Rockna
Technically, it’s a masterpiece. The power supplies in the Wavedream have separate digital and analog inputs and are of very high quality, with the Signature version boasting ultra-low noise. At the heart of the Wavedream is an AMD ZYNQ processor running a special version of Linux. This serves as the master controller and manages network functions and other functions. Four 28-bit FPGAs (the non-signature version is 27-bit) are connected to it, controlling the four R2R ladder modules. In the Signature version, these are even more precise RD-0 MK2 modules. The non-signature version features the RD-1 MK2.
Timing is supported by an extremely precise Femtovox clock, which in the Signature version is the 2-LPN version. Finally, there’s the Class A analog output, which is also of absolute top quality and an improvement over the standard Reference. The volume is controlled digitally via a 32-bit ultra-fine volume control in 0.5 dB increments. I would normally prefer an analog volume control like the one in the MU2, but during the listening sessions, it became clear that the Rockna’s volume control is just as good. The volume control can be by-passed for use with a pre-amplifier.
The streaming component is integrated on the mainboard to avoid additional connections between different circuit boards.
Unlike the Grimm MU2, the Wavedream doesn’t have a Roon server on board. However, I still had my NUC with ROCK installed and ready to go, so that was quickly resolved.
© Rockna
© Rockna
Naturally, the hardware in this DAC plays a significant role. But the software also plays a significant role. The FPGAs apply the filters, among other things, and determine much of the device’s sound. It features three modified Parks-McClellan up-sampling filters: linear, minimum, and hybrid phase filters, which differ in impulse response. A NOS mode is also selectable.
Many of the DAC’s sonic characteristics are software-based, making it future-proof in that respect, as software updates allow for future improvements.
Furthermore, the DAC features various inputs and outputs. On the back, you’ll find Toslink, S/PDIF, AES/EBU, I2S (fully configurable), USB, and a LAN connection. RCA and XLR outputs are available. While there are no buttons on the front, there is a touchscreen for configuring all settings.
The software offers various features such as Roon bridge, UPnP, OpenHome, Airplay, HQPNAA, Spotify Connect, Qobuz Connect as renderers and you can also set output dither and digital PLL tracking mode. The latter two are again only found on the Signature version.
There’s also a selectable DSD bandwidth that allows you to influence the low-pass filter. In the wide setting, it’s less aggressive and allows a wider bandwidth, thus increasing high-frequency noise. For systems that struggle with this, there’s a narrow setting, which is much stricter and significantly reduces high-frequency noise.
© Rockna
A nice, heavy-duty remote control with a motion sensor is included to activate the key illumination, and there’s a Rockna Wavedream app for both Android and iOS. This app allows you to view and adjust all settings. It’s very convenient for switching between the different filters in the FPGAs, as well as between sources and renderers.
The Wavedream measures 450 x 390 x 105 mm, and it weighs a hefty 10 kg.
Of course, you hope all these technical aspects will translate into a more beautiful musical reproduction, after all, that’s what the device is for. I mentioned it above. From the very first notes, you’re instantly grounded in music. I’ve heard some truly beautiful equipment and have often been amazed by the extent of the improvement. But I’ve also found that a change in equipment and/or cables was more of a change than an improvement.
What the Rockna Wavedream Reference Signature brings to my system isn’t just a change or an improvement; in my experience, it’s a significant leap forward in musical reproduction.
© Rockna
The dynamics are enormous yet very controlled. The transients are incredibly fast, creating a very precise sound. Voices sound bright when needed, subtle and fragile in very softly sung tracks and have a beautiful body. The timbre is exceptionally natural.
The soundstage offers ample space around instruments and voices. The increased width and depth of the soundstage create a beautiful holographic image. Insight into and engagement with the music are enhanced. The tranquility of the soundstage is wonderful, and it’s incredibly relaxing to listen to. There’s never a tendency to play louder; even at lower volumes, the sound is rock solid.
The bass is phenomenal, with a significant improvement in depth and layering. Bass that I simply haven’t heard here before in this quality.
The song “The Sea” from Haevn’s album “Eyes Closed” is a beautiful recording with ample space and a lovely 3D image. The naturalness with which the Wavedream renders that space is remarkable. The backwall fades away and the soundstage is very deep and wide. The sound is powerful yet fluid at the same time. The bass rolls nicely through the room and is very deep.
Another wonderfully energetic track: Prince Of Darkness from Eric Vloeimans’ album Hyper. This one is always on my playlist whenever a piece of hardware or software has been changed or added. It’s very dynamic, and the trumpet can really sound bright. The dynamics are reproduced beautifully with the Rockna. You truly immerse yourself in a sea of music. Again, it’s so natural, and the resolution is amazing. Plenty of air between the instruments, placing them beautifully in the space. I read somewhere in a review, “What about a black background? There’s no background anymore.” Well, that’s what happened…
George Michael – “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.” A beautiful song, beautifully recorded, but with a distinct hiss in his voice. But that doesn’t spoil the fun. The hiss doesn’t completely drown out the Rockna, but his voice has a lovely touch of warmth and body. Once again, that enormous spaciousness in the soundstage!
Ula Meinecke – Die Tanzerin, a true veteran and used to be played a lot at audio shows. But the song is characterized by a few features. One detail, as I mentioned before, is that at the beginning you can hear a few male voices very subtly in the background. The Rockna unravels this like no other, and those details are more audible. Ula’s voice, too, carries itself with tremendous power in the room and is beautifully separated from the musicians. Her voice’s extension is noticeable even at the softest pitch. The space is enormous here, too.
Fink is also a regular on the playlist. “Trouble’s What You’re In” is a beautiful song with a remarkable 3D effect thanks to the Rockna. The separation of vocals and instruments is very very good. Fink’s voice is rock solid, and you can feel his vocal cords. The guitar sounds beautifully bright, and the stage is real size.
Anette Askvik with Liberty, what more can you say? It’s played to death, so i should know every detail. And that’s precisely why it’s remarkable to see such a beautiful song being performed even more beautifully. Here again, the remarkable separation of the instruments and voices. The voices are so clear and separate, surrounded by air.
The pure inception of the air blown into the sax, just before the note emerges from the instrument, is remarkable.
I read a lot of comments after the Rockna Wavedream Reference Signature arrived. They ranged from, “But isn’t that MU2 the best?” to “A streamer is a streamer, there’s no difference,” and other comments that sometimes missed the mark. That’s perfectly fine; those who say that haven’t heard what I’ve heard here, and I’m making my own judgments anyway.
In any case, this is a streamer/DAC/preamp that checks all the boxes in terms of music reproduction and functionality, and I’m very happy with it. All the tracks I’ve played all give the same improvement, which is truly phenomenal.
The Grimm MU2 hasn’t been downgraded to a lesser device, absolutely not, and it still ranks among the best. Fortunately I was able to compare both devices extensively and the picture that I get with the Rockna is in my experience simply of a different order…
What is also noticeable is that there is still enough room in the Kinki Studio EX-B7 monoblocks and the Xanadu HRS22YHMG monitors to keep up with and display all the improvements, which is also quite nice to know.
Now I just need to score another bamboo plate, so that will probably mean another trip to Ikea, great ……
ROCKNA PRODUCT PAGE
ROCKNA PRODUCT PAGE AT MAGNA HIFI
Used equipment:
AEZ nanotec Power Strada #308 / Iego 8075BK koper-rodium powercables
Purecable nanoPWR 309 powercable (1x used on Rockna Wavedream Reference Signature)
Purecable 8-x Nano Block with iFi AC iPurifier
SOtM sNH-10G switch with sCLK-EX on sPS-500
AEZ Carbon / MFP8 IE ethernet cables
Rockna Wavedream Reference Signature
Grimm SQM XLR interlink
Kinki Studio EX-B7 mono eindversterkers
AEZ nanotec SP#79 PTC1 / Furutech FP202(R) LS- cable
Xanadu HRS22YH-MG on Liedtke-Metalldesign LM REFERENZ-X stands with Stack Audio Auva 100
Disclaimer: as always, this is my own experience and extremely subjective, no rights can be derived from it.🙂
