MERGING TECHNOLOGIES

Merging Technologies showed a pre-production version of its Merging+NADAC Player at the recently-concluded Rocky Mountain Audio Fest in Denver, Colorado. The Roon-equipped player is a ‘singlebox solution’ containing software, server and DAC that, when connected to a wireless network can be controlled from a smart phone, after which music can be streamed to it from any device on that network. Drives can also be hardwired to the player via USB. ‘ Roon is well-known to provide a superlative user experience with its friendly interface and the most comprehensive database available for music lovers seeking information on all aspects of their favourite tracks,’ says Enno Vandermeer of Roon. ‘ Marrying Roon to the best-sounding and most transparent DAC available and providing multichannel playback would be noteworthy enough but the addition of true networking advantages provides a degree of in-home flexibility that users could previously only dream about.’ Dominique Brulhart, of Merging Technologies, told Australian Hi-Fi Magazine that integration details such as direct control of the NADAC volume and mute from the Roon user interface added to the overall ergonomics, plus said that it was now possible to control the entire system from one single tablet page. He also said that the solution can be retrofitted to all Merging NADAC units already in the field. ‘ Upgrade pricing will include a VIP Service Program that covers numerous added-value benefits during the three-year warranty,’ he said, ‘ including remote assistance, IT support, online technical support and free shipping both ways in case of the need to return the unit.’ The company says full production versions of the Merging+NADAC Player will be on show at CES in January 2017.