How would you describe digital-to-analog perfection? A perfect sine wave appearing on a screen? A near zero distortion, having the lowest noise floor and the highest signal-to-noise ratio? Should it deliver an “as the artist intended” sound? Should it be sweet sounding, should it awaken certain emotions, should it boost the textures or maybe inner detail, or maybe should it remain dead-neutral in its presentation? Should it emulate the sound of analog records, should it stretch the soundscape to infinity and should it unearth every nuance there is behind your tracks? Should it offer additional features like smartphone integration, a touch screen, a user-friendly interface, easy-to-do firmware updates, and maybe even Roon integration with several streaming options available?
Would you believe me if I mentioned that such a unit already exists? Unfortunately, it’s not for everybody, it’s a true rock star, and it’s the closest thing to perfection I have experienced so far. Crafting such a unit from scratch required considerable years of research and development, and from us, music lovers all around the globe? Lots of experience in the realm of digital to analog converters and much deeper pockets than usual. How deep? About €26.000 deep locally and $26.000 abroad.
Researching and developing world-class DACs is not something that takes you a year or two, it could be a life’s purpose for some and after chatting with the man behind the brand, Nicolae Jitariu, it was clear to me that I was not only discussing with a living encyclopedia for all things audio but with one of the most passionate music lovers I met in my life.
You see, combining great engineering feats that might seem overkill at first and deeply caring for the act of music listening aren’t some random skills, but strict requirements that are needed to create world-class electronics. I need to confess that I visited Rockna Audio factory three times already and every time it was an ear-opening experience that rattled every notion I thought I knew about audio reproduction. Conversations with the people behind this brand were always clever and intriguing.
Rockna Audio is a brand that was been featured in almost every second review of ours for the last two years. The Wavedream NET Roon server has been our statement source and digital transport for over two years now and the same can be said about the 10-year-old Wavedream Signature DAC. You might giggle right now, but even after hitting its 10th Anniversary in 2024, the Wavedream Signature DAC still goes strong and it’s the absolute best DAC I have experienced at my place. The difference between it and the second-best unit I’ve experienced so far was so big, that I decided to never include the Wavedream in my DAC comparisons I’m usually conducting on a weekly basis. Why so? The word that always comes around when comparing the Wavedream Signature with anything else loaned to me is “annihilation”. It beat the others down without the right to appeal! I still have a lot of respect for highly intelligent human beings who have the knowledge to create world-class DACs, but after experiencing the Wavedream Reference in both of my HiFi systems, I decided to sell my Chord Electronics DAVE and bury everything else along the way, from the likes of Denafrips, Musician, Holo Audio, Gustard and many other brands that were not even competing.
The Wavedream Signature always had more. More resolution, more control over the lowest frequencies, more speed and impact, and more importantly, the most impressive depth and holography I experienced not only via loudspeakers but also via headphones. And let’s not dismiss its organic and life-like presentation that didn’t botch the tonal balance as some delta-sigma DACs and R2R ladder DACs might do. The change was so apparent, that I was forced to sell most of the D/A converters I gathered over the years. How can a 10-year-old grandpa of a DAC not only be relevant in present times but also decimate its competitors? It’s a question we should ask ourselves, and this fact already speaks volumes about this brand.
From that point onward, I knew that whatever came next from Rockna Audio, I didn’t need to review it, I needed to own it. It’s my pleasure to tell you that I’m not doing a sponsored review and this isn’t a loaner unit either. Today, I review my new statement DAC. I will put it through its paces, but I won’t be gentle with it. On the contrary, being the most expensive unit I ever had on my test bench, I will be harsher, but always honest and open-minded.
Before I dive deep into it, let’s address some tricky questions to none other than Nicolae Jitariu, the face behind Rockna Audio:
Q&A Session with Rockna Audio
Q1: Let’s journey back to the genesis. What was the moment that sparked Rockna Audio, excepting the fact of having balls of steel and the nerve to do it from scratch?
A1: Ahh, the genesis, well, it was long and difficult. Who cared for 3 young boys, coming from out of nowhere, trying to play with high-end audio stuff, making stereo amplifiers in the graceful year of 1999? That’s right, almost nobody! I remember sending a pair of our Heart monoblock amplifiers to a dealer in Switzerland, and they explained to us for more than 30 minutes why our 30W in class A monoblocks would never be needed by the HiFi market. We continued, we made two additional models, but the real spark sprang forth when we switched to digital-to-analog converters. The knowledge we gathered during those years of analog-only designs was very useful in the mixed-signal world of DACs.
Q2: A birdie chirped about the Wavedream MK II being developed for a few years now, then a second birdie chirped more colorful tales about a potential Wavedream ULTRA and only after that the Reference name was pitched and revealed to the masses. Were these names changed so often, as the internal layout, engineering traits, and feature set were also changing? Or was this only a ping-pong name convention with none of the internal changes you originally planned?
A2: Before a new product hits its release date, there are many factors at play years beforehand, such as the concept of design, the included technologies, features, price point, etc. But while you start doing it, new ideas, improvements, and concepts can emerge (and that usually happens in our courtyard) and sometimes we alter the original concept to such a degree, that you realize it’s not the original product anymore! Then you have to redefine the product position, the initial naming doesn’t seem right, the economics may change, and so on. The name changes are the results of the evolution of the development process.
Q3: Bunding it with a CNC machined remote control with brightly lit buttons, experiencing a straightforward touch interface that makes the remote redundant, and then having a third surprise playing around with its complimentary smartphone app that controls every feature of the unit, was this freedom of choice to control it the way we please envisioned right from the start? How are you controlling your unit more often?
A3: We wanted to cover all use cases. Some people like graphics and the versatility of a mobile app, while others are looking for the touch and feel of a classic remote. Who are we to deny one of these options? Let’s have them all! 😊
Q4: Did the Wavedream Reference have a long and winding development road? What were the biggest hurdles, and how did you leap over them in style?
A4: One of the greatest challenges was to make a (much) better product versus the classic WD Signature, which already was very good. Fortunately, the classic model was on the market for over 10 years, with plenty of time to learn and accumulate information regarding where or what to improve. Another challenge was the integration of the network renderer, and we were stubborn enough not to use one of the off-the-shelf solutions (network modules) available. Instead, we designed the whole digital front end of the DAC to include the network side for seamless integration. Of course, we had to pay the price of developing a custom software stack running on our hardware, and we made it with invaluable help from our partners – ASSIST Software, a local hi-tech software company.
Q5: What’s the main difference between Wavedream Reference and Wavedream Reference Signature in just a few words, and what are the main targets for both of these?
A5: There are technical differences and component selection differences. The DAC modules, the clocks, and the analog stages are different. Several software options are not available on the Standard. If one considers the Signature to be too expensive, they’ll still have a good alternative with the Standard at a lower price point.
Q6: Knowing that the Wavedream Reference already ships to every corner of the world as I’m typing this, is it safe to say that Wavedream ULTRA will come next, or do you want to dip your toes into the analog domain one last time and make a splash in the following years? Spill the beans!
A6: We’ll not stop here, but what comes next and when? It’s impossible to say at this moment. Another flagship unit will come at some point, but it will probably carry a different name.
Q7: Every Rockna unit tested around here shattered every R2R sonic stereotype (like being smooth, overly mellow, slow sounding and marginally rolling off frequency extremes). Was it a “screw it, we’re doing things differently” move, or did you want to craft an exceptionally technical sounding and ultra-fast responsive R2R ladder DAC from the start that would offer world-class technicalities?
A7: None of the above😊. We have our vision about how things should be, technically and sonically, and try to stick to it with every device we craft. There’s no “forced” originality but rather a natural one, coming from the combination of factors that define our design philosophy. Of course, radical thinking is helpful sometimes, but we all know that there isn’t a free lunch in audio, you have to put in balance what you gain and what you lose.
Q8: Crafting custom R2R modules sounds like the ultimate test of patience. Were there moments you wanted to bin the whole thing and grab some off-the-shelf chips? How many times did you revise and refine those resistor ladders? Is there a big difference between RD-0 and RD-1 modules versus your newest MK2 offerings?
A8: Even if there is some progress, we are not tempted by any off-the-shelf DAC chips. That path is relatively easy nowadays, you can see hundreds of units with highly integrated chips, which is good for affordable devices. But where is the innovation, where is your contribution as a manufacturer, where is the fun going deeper into the rabbit hole? As a high-end manufacturer, one has to pass the moment when satisfaction is given by putting a few capacitors and a clock around a DAC chip and has to offer more. Much more. We like to go deep inside every aspect of the conversion, we like to do ourselves all the mathematics involved in the digital filters, and we like to have absolute control of what’s going on with the signal and clocks at every moment, from the input bit stream to the analog waveform. It’s also a learning process that never ends, and the more time you spend doing it, the more knowledge is gained.
Q9: Rockna has consistently pushed the technological boundaries of R2R DACs. Have you experimented with alternatives such as FPGAs for additional processing beyond R2R conversion? If so, what advantages have you gained compared to a purely discrete architecture?
A9: With our sister company – Audiobyte, we developed a pure 1-bit DAC, which uses a very different architecture compared to R2R designs. While technically the 1-bit delta-sigma measures better and sounds good, R2R still remains the ruling king in terms of musical involvement. Mixing these methods will probably yield an “ideal” DAC but in practice? That’s a difficult and dangerous path.
Q10: The 3D soundstage you achieve with your units is unique in the high-end audio landscape. What exactly in your digital processing and R2R conversion contributes to this three-dimensional effect? Is it just the linearity of the resistors and the extremely precise signal synchronization, or are there other technologies at play that we may not be aware of?
A10: The 3D soundstage and the perceived weight of sound are not easy to relate to a particular technical trait. It’s rather coming as a result of a proper design, both in hardware and software. One important element is that we’re not using asynchronous sample rate converters (ASRC) but digital PLLs instead. The ASRC, widely used in modern DAC chips, can introduce data-related time smearing which can badly affect the soundstage. The quality of the digital filters, the phase-noise characteristic of the conversion clock, and the quality of the analog stage are equally critical.
Q11: During the polishing/refinement process of your newest R2R modules, have you encountered physical limitations in discrete technology that required compromises? How do you achieve an exceptional transient attack and a deep analog texture without sacrificing either aspect?
A11: Compromises are everywhere in the real world – perfection is just a concept. Speaking of R2R, you have to consider a lot of things, like the intrinsic mismatch of the resistors, the way they are changing the value with temperature; the length of traces, and the way they may interfere, the mismatch induced by the switching elements; the effect of the ringing, if present, on the power supplies, just to name a few. If you want to speed up things and run the design on a higher frequency, you hit the RF territory which is another, much more difficult story.
Q12: The Wavedream Reference and Signature are already considered among the most advanced R2R DACs. Is there a point where the current technology reaches absolute limits, or do you still see significant possibilities for improvement? What would be the next big technological leap in Rockna’s vision?
A12: I think there’s always room for improvement. Maybe there are ways to improve R2R designs, and we’re trying hard to find them. We’re actively exploring what we can do but to get a palpable result, it can take years, so it’s hard to predict future technological leaps.
Q13: In a field dominated by highly advanced Delta-Sigma implementations, your R2R DACs manage to offer top-tier technical performance without relying on excessive oversampling or aggressive digital filtering. How did you achieve this balance between resolution, transient attack, and natural timbre?
A13: The R2R, by nature, does not need aggressive digital filtering. It’s a combination of factors with roots in digital processing (perceived resolution) and analog stage (natural timbre, attack).
Closing Words: Thanks for the exhilarating Q&A session! We can’t wait to see (and hear!) what Rockna Audio cooks up next. Until then, keep the fire blazing!
Design & Build Quality
Having a slight fetish for physics and math, I love it when I’m dealing with a perfect symmetry in everything I do in life. Believe it or not, even the pictures posted around here and the placement of audio gear on my audio rack have meaning and perfect symmetry. I like it when things align, the screen, the buttons, the smooth lines, alas not every audio manufacturer cares about such things. Over the years I relentlessly hammered countless audio brands, especially in terms of aesthetics, as from a certain price point, these are no longer lifeless and cold aluminum-clad metal boxes, but pieces of modern furniture. Outstanding looks, an excellent fit and finish, and a rock-solid build quality are thus no longer optional, but a requirement, especially when dealing with high-end stuff.
Nowadays, Rockna Audio molds beautiful aluminum pieces down to the smallest details, and their craft skyrocketed over the years, and the same can be said about their sister company, Audiobyte, combining industrial designs with pleasing aesthetics. However, for Odin’s sake, please don’t search up the very first generation of Rockna R2R ladder DACs, that looked more like a DIY project, rather than like a finished product. The Wavedream Signature released some 10 years ago looked much more polished from every angle, the fit and finish went up tremendously, but I still disliked the power button that had a mild DIY allure and the brushed aluminum finish was prone to scratches.
The Reference DAC, however, no longer has the naughty power button, in fact, there aren’t buttons in sight, instead relying on touch controls appearing on its screen. The surface is no longer brushed like it was the case with the Wavedream Signature that in my case gathered a few scratches along the way, but bead blasted, which is (much) more resilient to scratches. It might sound like the difference is not that big since in both cases, the units are still made from aluminum (a soft metal) on CNC machines, but in reality, the difference is substantial, to say the least. Considering that I tend to move around HiFi components every week and sometimes some of these need to appear in video B-Roll footage done in a separate room, I’m happy to have a much more scratch-resistant surface on the Reference DAC and I wish I could trade my brushed aluminum units with bead blasted ones from this point onwards.
Rockna recently redesigned their logo and I must say that the front panel looks more striking and refined at the same time. Before we move on to controls, inputs, and outputs, there’s one thing that always catches my attention – the standby graphics after the unit shuts down. It’s almost like looking at an e-Ink display, since the backlight goes off, leaving only the brand logo and the model number. It’s simple, classy and dare I say, unique.
The unit gets barely warm after 12 hours of non-stop music playback and adding some ugly-looking heat sinks wasn’t an option or a necessity. Instead of using generic-looking metal feet found on the good old Wavedream, they finally crafted their own metallic feet with rubber inlays that resemble the shape of the unit. The squared feet are CNC machined (naturally) and have a very similar monolithic look to the unit they keep on their shoulders. Trying to hide most of the screws was also a very good idea and overall, it looks fresh and modern, with an engineering vibe on top that resonates with me.
It needs to be said that only high-quality connectors have been used all around, including a Furutech AC inlet, small details like these can sometimes make a major impact on the user experience. The case is also a hair wider and deeper compared to the old Wavedream, it’s also heavier, and the added weight can be felt right from the start. It’s a beefier unit altogether and it will occupy a good deal of space, especially when used in a head-fi battle station. It weighs a little over 10 kilos (22 lbs.) versus 7.8 kg on the original Wavedream, but I’m reminding you this is no longer just a mere R2R ladder DAC, but also an outstanding network renderer that added a higher bill of materials.
Last but not least, they also crafted a custom remote control, which I find sturdy, solid, curvy, and comfortable to hold single-handedly, and if you like to play your tunes in the evening, its buttons are getting lit once it detects movement. All of the buttons are functional and overall, this is a high-quality remote control.
Controls & Connectivity
Physical buttons will be forever gone on Rockna devices starting with the Reference and right now you have the choice to power and control every feature via an iOS or Android app, via its touch screen, or with its physical remote control. Although I really dig its remote, how it’s made, its shape, and single-handed operation, I tend to use the Android app more often when sitting on a sofa, or its touch screen when I’m using it in my office, taking center stage in a head-fi setup. This freedom of choice is a welcome addition and I wish more audio tinkerers around the world would offer a similar user experience.
While we are still dealing with an R2R ladder DAC – the oldest digital-to-analog conversion technique, the Reference line feels modern, like experiencing a DAC from the future.
Taking a glance at its back, you’ll immediately realize that we have two additional digital inputs compared to the old Wavedream. Optical input is a welcome addition, so I can finally watch movies on my stereo, but more important is the Ethernet port that unlocks its Network Renderer. Besides functioning as the last Roon endpoint you’ll ever need, the Network Renderer also supports additional features and protocols such as Apple’s AirPlay, UPnP, HQ Player’s NAA, Open Home, Spotify Connect and it seems that LMS Squeezelite and Qobuz Connect will be added soon via a firmware update. If you already own a Rockna Roon Server like their excellent Wavedream NET or Wavelight Server, you can hook those up via I2S, or you can use the Roon endpoint preinstalled in the Reference line.
The usual RCA and XLR outputs are present, configurable as fixed or variable, depending on the settings, meaning that you can use it as a DAC and passive preamp if you wish. There’s one thing that stands out when checking its tech specs and that’s the output impedance of both the RCA and XLR outputs, sitting at just 50 Ohms. A lower impedance like that ensures a better handshake with integrated and power amplifiers. Last but certainly not least is the impressive voltage output of the unit. The regular Wavedream Reference outputs an industry-standard 2.3V via RCA and 4.6V via XLR, while the Reference Signature turns it up to eleven with its much beefer voltage output of 3.5V via RCA and 7V via XLR – that in certain conditions could improve the sound of your amplifier (if the input stage is capable of receiving hotter voltages). If your amp’s input stage can’t handle hotter voltages like that and enters clipping territory, set the DAC’s master volume at -3 or -6dB and your problems will vanish like blowing dust in the wind.
Under its Hood
Considering the custom nature of R2R ladder DACs, it’s a rarity to find two units that look identical on the inside. The more expensive they can get, the more custom they become and that’s certainly what we get with the Reference DAC. Frankly, I’m getting a bit bored with chip-based Delta-Sigma DACs as of late, since most of them look strikingly similar on the inside with little to no distinctions. However, diving into Rockna’s internals, I unmistakably identify the Rockna Audio PCB design. It whispers about the Wavedream DAC only superficially, there’s a distinct superiority with the Reference line, getting higher-quality components, enhanced capacitance, a beefier power supply, superior clocking management, and a brand-new FPGA coded from scratch for a couple of years.
This is no longer Wavedream MKII, but the brand-new Reference, turning several pages before starting their work on it. After carefully inspecting the unit and chatting with the people behind the brand, it was clear to me that I was no longer dealing with a mild refresh, but with a brand-new unit inside and out. It’s not a slight alteration of the old Wavedream and more like a quantum leap forward in DAC making.
Rockna explains the inner workings of their flagship DAC in a language that is so common around here:
At the heart of the Wavedream Reference sits a custom architecture, crafted for the highest level of precision and ultimate refinement in audio reproduction. This unit is built upon a highly optimized and efficient AMD/ZYNQ chip for the master control/network renderer and 4 FPGAs, one for each phase of the discrete conversion system. The machine runs a Rockna custom-tailored Linux system which takes care of everything except audio processing – which is later executed by the dedicated hardware blocks.
To achieve an elegant internal layout, they designed a 10-layer central core board for the digital front-end processing and network renderer. A completely new dedicated low-noise power supply board was developed, as well as new conversion boards placed in a symmetrical configuration, two for each channel. Compared to the classic Wavedream, the design was optimized by shortening the clock and data signal paths and by using higher-quality board-to-board connectors. Therefore, signal integrity was significantly improved. Furthermore, the toroid transformers and the display are shielded internally using a copper cage.
The Rockna philosophy for an exceptional DAC is mastering the art of connecting mixed-signal technologies in such a way that the output preserves all the fine nuances of the original recording. Many think the secret is proper digital processing, but that is just one piece of the puzzle. When moving the audio information from the digital to the analog domain, the clock system plays a critical role in giving a sense of realism, analog sound, and creating audio 3D imagery. Most D/A converters take the easy route by relying on the ASRC (an acronym for asynchronous sample rate converter) built into the chips they use. While the ASRC may have a sound signature in itself, the quality of the ASRC implemented in DAC chips is affected by cost and silicon real estate, thus being prone to sound quality degradation.
In the Wavedream Reference, we developed one of the most advanced, ASRC-free digital PLL clock solutions which gives the DAC the ability to perform like an analog source, with a natural sense of pace, rhythm, and timing. Another key element is that digital signals physically travel as high-speed analog signals and they must be treated accordingly. Bits are bits on an abstract level, but on PCB traces, connectors, and cables, they are a succession of high-speed rectangular analog signals that are not perfect: they have risen-time, fall time, and they could be plagued by ringing, spikes, reflections, crosstalk, phase noise (jitter), etc. This is why Rockna has perfected radio-frequency techniques to mitigate these issues, which have the potential to ruin the pursued analog sound.
For the D/A conversion stage, we have an evolved version of the mighty DAC modules used in the classic Wavedream. The modules themselves are complex pieces of technology, sharing a discrete sign-magnitude hybrid ladder topology, driven by a complex algorithm that is embedded into their own FPGA. They can sustain sample rates up to a few MHz and the output of the DAC modules is un-buffered, allowing maximum transparency and natural sound reproduction.
The last stage of the signal path is the analog output stage. Its contribution to the final sound is of extreme importance. Designed from scratch to work with the new conversion modules, the output stage is totally discrete and acts as a high-speed buffer, while keeping the circuit simple enough to achieve full transparency. They combined JFET & bipolar transistors into a class-A design, with a low closed-loop output impedance and very low noise, as a perfect match for the overall performance of the machine.
Last but not least, the network renderer built inside Reference is unique not only because it’s a proprietary approach, but because it is seamlessly integrated into the DAC digital front-end. There is no separate “streamer section” or an extra board, which removes the need for a dedicated external connection and unnecessary obstacles bumping into the signal path. Natively integrated inside the Rockna ZYNQ SoC, the renderer can truly shine, allowing perfect sonic performance when selected.
While I can’t capture a clear shot of all of the internal boards without a complete disassembly, it’s evident that the Wavedream Reference Signature is considerably more complex than any other DAC we featured around here. The layout reflects the thoughtful design and meticulous care that went into making it a true Reference grade unit.
Test Equipment
Before you ask, the Rockna Reference Signature DAC was used in a stereo rig most of the time working as a standalone DAC, but I also used it as a Roon endpoint and DAC in a well-thought headphone system with a bunch of dynamic and planar headphones.
- In my office, it powered the majestic Cayin Soul 170HA (€8.000) and Feliks Envy Performance Edition (€8.599) headphone amplifiers, driving either the T+A Solitaire P ($6.900) or the HiFiMan Susvara Unveiled ($8.000) to strengthen my initial impressions.
- In the living room, the Reference Signature was fed an I2S signal coming from the Rockna Wavedream NET 4 Tb Roon server ($11.000), followed by a Chord Electronics Ultima PRE 2 ($19.500), Ultima 3 Monoblock amplifiers ($33.100). Raidho TD 2.2 ($46.500) were my loudspeakers of choice, playing tunes for two weeks before dropping my final evaluation. All cabling used was of Crystal Cable Monet breed (power, interconnect, Ethernet, and speaker cables). Everything was also powered by a KECES IQRP-3600 balanced power conditioner.
Everything should be as clear as the blue sky, so what are we waiting for? Let’s hit some eardrums!
Sound Performance
I. Preliminary Sound impressions
As a proud owner of the Rockna Wavedream Signature for almost two years now, my expectations weren’t high, but sky-high knowing that a much newer Reference DAC is just around the corner. All the nerdy stuff was there, the Network Renderer would be a huge plus for me, especially when assessing headphone amplifiers in another room and I already started smashing piggy banks and counting pennies. The signs in the sky weren’t hinting only at a mere spec bump and feature set upgrade, but also at a reinvention of the legendary Rockna sound. However, before I tell you a good deal about the Reference DAC, why it stole my heart yet again, and why it slowly became my new statement DAC along the way, let’s zoom out and focus on the one that changed the game for me – the Wavedream Signature DAC.
As a rational thinking man, knowing that a (much) longer signal path of R2R ladder DACs could never compete with traditional oversampling DACs that rock oversimplified circuits and a (much) shorter signal path, especially when it comes to sheer resolution, dynamic range, and fast transients, I didn’t quite take R2R ladder DACs very seriously for a long time. I was a late bloomer before I started believing in the R2R movement. I’ll always have preconceptions about life, people, and electronics, and even before hitting play one hundred thoughts were already plaguing my listening space, and I’m pretty sure your mind plays tricks with you as well, especially when listening to your favorite tunes on unknown equipment.
The wake-up call came when I was still rocking a Chord Electronics DAVE together with a Hugo M Scaler, (with now sold) Ultima PRE3 and Ultima 5 power amp combo. In my mind, that was the most resolving, the fastest, and the most holographic experience I had up to that point. I was happy, I felt secure that the DACMan was doing the right thing. But I was so damn stubborn…
The Rockna Wavedream Signature came as a loaner from a friend and immediately after exchanging the DAVE with the Wavedream, felt like I exchanged wives and love could be again felt in the air. I couldn’t believe the extra layering there was still waiting to be explored with my stereo AND head-fi battle station. The change was so drastic and immediate, that I started editing some of the articles around here, it felt like I hadn’t experienced Mariana’s Trench depth levels before, and an open wide soundstage that stretched way over the borders of my listening room.
The Wavedream excited every cell in my body in mere seconds, and I didn’t know how to react. The transients? They hit me like a maglev train, the second best was not even close and since I’m very much “a transient response guy”, I started to realize how much fun I missed all of these years for not trying a Rockna…
The weighty textures were also a novelty to me, things that were decent on the DAVE, but not so much on chip-based D/A converters. From that moment, I wasn’t only hearing my music, I started to feel it in my gut, all of its beauty and grotesque, everything unaltered, yet utterly transparent. The contour of the notes, the texture of the musical instruments, the vocal cords vibrating naturally, all of those things weren’t quite there on my previously owned DACs. Piggy banks were smashed that day, bank loans followed and a month later I was a happy camper rocking a brand new Rockna Wavedream Signature.
Then the Rockna Wavedream NET Roon Server came aboard and added an extra layer of realism and transparency, further tightening the sound, while gently boosting the sound’s emotion here and there. Going back to the DAVE was a transformative event, it was exactly as nimble, accurate, and transparent, but nowhere near as three-dimensional, weighty, and textured. DAVE was sold a month later and I never looked back. It’s still amazing for what it is and I totally understand why some of you might prefer the sound of the DAVE, but considering how technical my Raidho TD 2.2 are, I’m no longer seeking only a surgical precision, but a sound that juggles with my senses and slaps my feelings over and over again.
Please give a round of applause for a good old DAC, for Odin’s sake it hit its 10th Anniversary last year and it’s still going strong today.
The Rockna Reference Signature wouldn’t exist if the Wavedream Signature hadn’t paved the road ahead. For countless Nirvana reaching sessions, thousands of hours of goosebumps, and many other reasons, the Wavedream Signature will forever remain in my heart and be cherished along the way. The young contender for the throne has been here for about a month now and for the last two weeks, I let it play 12 hours a day, aiming for a proper burn-in before dropping a single line.
Right off the bat, I could mention even right now that a more holographic-sounding DAC doesn’t exist, all while maintaining extreme inner detail, preserving every nuance, and never for a micro-second pressing the brakes in terms of dynamics. What was grand is now grander, what was close and personal, is right now sitting right beside you on the sofa and what was placed on the last row feels more distant than ever before. The holography effects are kicking in so strongly that lower-class R2R designs will feel completely flat, 2D, and plain boring sounding by comparison.
What was a resolution monster R2R DAC that could keep up with the fastest tunes out there transformed into a unit that removed every trace of noise or distortion? The background is no longer pitch black as it is on the classic, the background no longer exists! The music is no longer fired from your speakers but from a huge canvas of sounds floating right in front of you. I’m constantly asking myself if the music needs to be heard this way because it’s coming from all over the place, from weird angles, and sometimes even from different altitudes.
What part of digital-to-analog conversion does such things to the music reproduction, and why have others not achieved a similar 3D effect over the years? It’s a rhetorical question, but it shows how much deeper the rabbit hole can get.
Now, I would never call the Wavedream Signature sharp sounding when dealing with upper treble, I never found it that way. It always offered a strong grip over the upper treble delivery and even with uber-resolving loudspeakers coming from the distant north such as the Raidho TD 2.2, the Wavedream did a marvelous job at creating a life-like presentation of the music. However, when doing a direct A/B comparison with these two Romanian brothers, it becomes apparent that the midrange energy is ever so slightly boosted on the younger model, the female vocals, in particular, are weeping with more emotion and it seems that the upper treble is also further refined, removing all remnants of digital glare.
II. Soundstage & Stereo Imaging
My second chapter is always destined for the skill that impressed me most. Some impress with their technicalities, some with their tone & timbre, but some impress you in such a way that you no longer know where to start and where’s the finish line. Yet, there’s one skill that stands heads and shoulders above the rest and that’s the stereo separation, imaging, and soundstage. There was a time when I was 100% sure that I would craft my own DAC from scratch, and I don’t mean soldering DIY kits – that I already did, but crafting my own unit that would cover all of my needs. About half of my writings around here are for D/A converters and that’s right! There’s some sort of fetish going on, but only because I’m a source first person. The inception point is the most important part of our system, as once it’s as pure and as transparent as possible, then I can squander, modify, and color the sound afterward if I wish so, with a tube preamp, with a SET integrated or monoblock amplifier, I can do that anytime and I won’t feel sorry in the back of my mind. The source needs to be the truth-teller, the strictest mathematician, and the fastest computer you could afford, and over the years that led me to Rockna Audio.
When assessing the sound of D/A converters, I strongly believe that the very first hours are the most crucial. Your brain doesn’t know what to expect, it hasn’t settled in and/or drawn any conclusions yet and everything you hear first is the strongest impression you’ll ever get. After several days, the impressions will fade away and those will become “the new normal”. Think about this and try my advice, the first impressions are the most lasting and the closest to the truth.
The truth is that the good old Wavedream Signature proved that music doesn’t need only to stretch your imagination wide open, but it also needs to untangle it and add lots of void spaces in between the layers of sounds. When most top-of-the-line converters were adding width, the Wavedream added depth and separation. Where some converters made you look to your right and left, the Wavedream made you question how big is your room and how can the sounds escape from behind your wall, wildly exceeding the borders of your room. When the first production Wavedream Reference Signature was delivered to one of my closest friends in December of 2024, I kindly asked if we could listen to it together in the comfort of my home and briefly compare it with the Wavedream Signature.
I didn’t need more than a minute with Harry Belafonte – Losing Hand doing all of the heavy lifting (here’s the track on Qobuz and Tidal) to realize that the Reference further expanded the soundscape, and again, it doesn’t widen it by a lot, but it deepens it. The saxophone, bass guitar, and drums are further pushed back in the recording, and Harry’s voice is even closer to my listening spot at the same time. It’s no longer a recording that took place in 1958; I went back in time and handled a cigarette to Harry whilst recording the album. The word that always comes around in the Reference is – realism. This incredible stereo separation, together with an absolute silence in between the notes creates an almost palpable feeling, like listening to music is no longer a solo act, but a social event, as musicians enter your room like ghosts.
It’s spooky experiencing this at first and it’s even spookier when you start comparing the Reference Signature with lower-grade converters.
A couple of days later, I brought the Reference Signature into my office, plugged an Ethernet cable into it, and fired up the Cayin Soul 170HA rocking a fresh set of rectifiers and driver tubes (KR 5U4G & RayTubes 6SN7 RESERVE).
Ain’t No Sunshine by Tommy Schneider (found on Qobuz) starts playing and since I’m yet to film a video for HiFiMan’s HE1000 Unveiled headphones, I sunk into my chair, I prepared a Gin-Tonic and let the music envelop me fully. Let me write it down clearly, this setup transcends the definition of headphone listening. This is no longer a big-sounding system, highlighting a precise location of the notes with the power of your mind. This is as holographic, as 3D, and as real as it can get! Music fully envelops you and no longer circles your head, but floats mid-air at least two meters away from your body. Near-field? More like mid-field if you ask me. Easily, 11 out of 10!
III. Dynamics & Transient Response
By definition, R2R ladder DACs are the most complicated D/A converters of today, their signal path is longer than usual and by going with this logic, they should also be the slowest sounding of the bunch. And that is certainly true! Especially if I’m looking at Holo Audio, Denafrips, Musician Audio, and Audio-GD creations. Regardless if it’s a May KTE, Terminator Plus, Musician Taurus, or whatnot, the sound takes you on a smooth ride. Everything slows down a little, like watching videos at 0.9X speed and the transients are taking a gentle hit. The Chord Electronics DAVE was a wild Mustang in this regard and while I never liked its 2.5D approach, shrinking the music on all axes, I couldn’t overlook its need for speed attitude, always pressing the gas pedal to the floor when wild electronica would hit the dance floor.
Rockna’s Wavedream Signature, however, was defying any logic and/or preconception, as finally the videos were rolling at 1X speeds, I could hear the double drums in their full glory without leaving longer trails than usual. The Wavedream was much naughtier sounding in this regard compared to the rest of the R2R creations that passed through my hands. It’s “the special ingredient” that made it fast AND punchy, disregarding my calculations and initial thoughts. As a transient response guy, if the Wavedream Signature wouldn’t pass my dynamics test, which is as important as the rest of its technicalities, then I wouldn’t buy it in the first place.
This is a chapter where I’m usually complaining about R2R creations, some of them impress when delivering a strong kick into the chest, which usually has to do with an oversized analog output stage, but most of them couldn’t keep up with a faster pace, rhythm and timing, except for the Wavedream.
You need to understand that Rockna knows well the limitations created by hundreds of resistors that form a resistor ladder network, and that’s precisely why they put their software development to good use via state-of-the-art FPGAs placed before the resistor ladder. The reconstruction algorithms are custom-tailored by Rockna and they have been doing this for a couple of years now. ASSIST Software gives a huge helping hand with both software development and coding that goes into Rockna devices, a helping hand that is also present in the development of software-defined Audiobyte DACs. If it feels that Rockna lives in the future and is always one step ahead of its competition, then you’ll be 100% correct.
My music taste is as colorful as my personality, I don’t like all and everything, I’m very selective, however, I do like most of the musical genres, from slow and beautiful, to ugly, aggressive, and grotesque, there’s a place for every mood in my collection. I’m a sum of experiences and emotions mixed with flesh and blood somewhere in the north, and that’s why old and new music alike will always play in my den.
Don’t hate me for bringing up this album yet again, but I probably met Junior Wells in my previous life, I like his personality, but even more so – his improvisations in live recordings. He’s the rule maker and the rest of the band are always following his feet movements. Hoodoo Man Blues (found on Qobuz and Tidal) is maybe not the most HiFi recording you’ll hear today, the smoke and grain are a bit higher than usual, but…the energy levels? Going through the roof! I’ve listened to this album countless times and I’m here to tell you, that sometimes I couldn’t connect with it. The sharper the system gets, I’ll have a harder time re-connecting with it. On the Wavedream and later on the Reference, however, it’s like I’m going back in time, doing some wild foot movements with Junior himself. Modern Hip-Hop has deep roots in gangster blues like this and sure enough, this album feels faster and punchier than your average Kenny Burrell, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Charles Brown, or Baba Blues. The slam that the bass notes carry with every single note is almost rattling your skull and dislocating your jaw…it kicks hard, it’s the definition of ballsy and fun sounding down to the lowest intensity notes. I picked this album for a couple of reasons; one is that it’s punchier than your average blues, and secondly, the low-intensity bass notes feel like a mission impossible on a couple of converters that won’t push through the veil and highlight their inner beauty. The low-intensity notes are a chef’s kiss on Rockna devices, standing tall above the rest. A low-intensity bass note hidden somewhere in there will be a lion’s roar on the Wavedream and Reference DACs. These aren’t just a bass addict’s dream DAC, but quite possibly the hardest slamming DAC I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing.
I was so impressed by its transient response, fast dynamic shifts, and nasty attitude, that I called Nicolae the next day and expressed my feelings: “Do whatever you please with its technicalities, but don’t you dare touch its crazy attitude and high testosterone levels!”.
IV. Detail Retrieval & Transparency
I have arrived at the culmination of what makes the Reference Signature a legendary streaming DAC. Forget the power conditioner or the preamplifier that supposedly will clean up your music, making your rig transparent and see-through to its core. Why? Cause that’s the sole job of a DAC, it is the one to blame or to hail. The whole job of DAC is to be correct, and precise in its math. I know that a lot of people love sweet and smooth-sounding DACs that add some kind of flavor into the mix, those people call dead-neutral, extended, and detailed-sounding DACs as clinical or overly sharp. In my view, the DAC should be the truth-teller, the law generator, and indeed a lot of times the truth is not that easy to accept. After a few years, I’ve finally understood that I can always count on a DAC that is honest with me, that tells only the unspoiled truth, that is detailed to its core, and it seems that the Reference Signature is following this lone path, paved by Judge Dredd somewhere in 1995.
I don’t hold a lot of respect for forgiving-sounding DACs that aren’t highlighting the tiniest nuances hidden deep into the music, I value non-forgiving sources, that are giving me everything on a plate, it should be my decision to look and hear all those micro-details, and mastering errors and not the decision of the D/A converter. I can count on the Rockna as it always appears detailed and transparent sounding to the core, no matter the tune. And it was so obvious hearing people inhaling and exhaling air in their lungs, fingers touching musical instruments, low-level murmurs passing by and low-intensity notes casually passing around in well-mastered music.
By definition, R2R ladder DACs should be less impressive in this department, and still, I’m hearing extra nuances like music plays for the first time, yet again. Perhaps, what’s more interesting about the Reference is that no matter the tune, the music never pierces your eardrums, and the sharpness effects aren’t overbearing and/or hard on you. I can listen to well-mastered and trash-sounding albums, and I will never want to turn down the volume as it might happen with a chip-based solution, where only well-mastered music sounds acceptable. The Reference is not about accepting or denying the albums that should be played or skipped, it does proper justice even to one-hundred-year-old recordings.
When you start looking at music with a third eye (usually in your late-’30s to mid-’40s) and start embracing the past when imagination was everything you needed to succeed, you go beyond “this album sounds good and this one goes to the trash bin”. You start appreciating the maestro behind the music, not only the mastering work. This is exactly what happens when the Reference Signature does the heavy lifting. It focuses your attention on the emotional side of music listening, not on the technical side, as technicalities are already to die for on the Reference. After all, a measured dynamic range of 139 dB is not something you see every day on the spec sheet.
El Vito by Wolfgang Haffner (found on Qobuz and Tidal) is a track I discovered last year thanks to another friend of mine and ever since it tickled my senses in ways I never imagined. Thanks to strong decompressing skills, it makes me listen to all of these incredibly talented people individually! For example, sometimes I focus my attention on the guitar player, other times on the percussionist, and occasionally the trumpeter takes center stage. However, sometimes I take the back seat and hear them interacting with each other as a team. This freedom of choice is strong in the Reference Signature, but what’s even stronger is the inner texture that the unit relentlessly highlights. It’s constantly shushing into my ears: “Touch this wooden body, experience the leathery texture of the drums, hear the drumsticks colliding and sending strong energies throughout the room, hear the murmurs of the brass naturally fading away.” It’s not providing only a mere collection of sounds, but a different view of your music collection, capturing a personal aspect of what I’m going through emotionally.
Frequency Response
V. Bass
It’s a bit pointless discussing the frequency response and how I perceive it when describing high-end DACs, as they usually cover it fully, but why not? Let’s do it by the book. Considering its long lineage and the people behind it, The Reference Signature DAC was born with a stiff upper lip, it’s hard as a rock, battle-hardened and I won’t accept anything less than perfect when dealing with bass notes.
Rockna’s were always the masters of the bass, starting with the Wavelight and finishing with the Reference, you should always prepare beforehand a pillow to put on your chest and some cotton napkins around your ears, as they won’t go easy on you! Thunderous, deep-reaching, and controlled down the smallest intensity bass notes is what you’re getting with the Rockna. These guys are as much into hard music as I am, and of course, they made sure all of your electronica, rock, and metal would sound somewhere in between epic and legendary.
Bass & Drum Intro by Nils Lofgren (found on Qobuz and Tidal) isn’t only an amalgamation of random ramblings of a middle-aged bass player, but something that would scare you, your cat, and your neighbors. My neighbors are blessed to listen only to high-quality recordings and it doesn’t matter if they want that or not. It’s what they get.
The strong bass output is, however always in control, it’s never loose or all over the place, it’s of the highest quality, remaining clean and refined at all times. Once you experience this kind of bass, it’s close to impossible to go back to cojones-less performances of thin-sounding units, it’s as simple as that.
VI. Midrange
The midrange is the special ingredient that R2R ladder DACs mastered since their inception. We can agree to disagree on many aspects, but when discussing the midrange, its complicated nature, its colorful overtones, and 100 shades of grey, then we can all agree that well-made R2R ladder DACs with zero compromises are still, reigning supreme. The Wavedream Signature was somehow a bit more serious sounding to my ears, never trying to go up or down from the strict frequency response, but it seems that the Reference Signature is a bit more playful, especially in the midrange department. Immediately after adding it to my system, an extra dose of sweetness covered my tracks. This region wasn’t louder or more intensive sounding, but there was a bit more emotion attached to every guitar stroke and violin weep. What was sometimes putting me into a different mindset, a Nirvana state that people used to call, right now becomes almost a sacrilegious act. I’m constantly bombarded with goosebumps, standing and applauding is a common thing with the Reference.
Forget about notions such as smooth, musical, and sweet, the Reference is way past that point, it’s real, it’s lucid, it’s daydreaming, and it’s a different experience. Reforged from the ground up.
Sometimes, the music puts you in such a state that you become one with the music, with the singer, the bond becomes so strong that hours transform into seconds and a listening session could go on forever, forgetting to blink or crave physical needs that bind us to this Earth. It removes the invisible tourniquet, raises dopamine levels, and puts you on top of the world. The Reference Signature DAC definitely makes me poetic and there’s nothing I can do about this, it needs to, this is the burden it carries on its shoulders with every toe-tap and headbang of mine.
VII. Treble
Effortless, refined, extended and crystal clear is what you get with a unit like this. Excessive sharpness? Never. Listening fatigue? Buried and forgotten. Horns High? Always! As you well know by now, my audiophile diet is diverse. Rock and Metal in the morning to wake up my senses, folk and local breed tunes for better digestion, and relaxing blues in the evening to calm down the brain activity. This fellow won’t leave you unsatisfied mid-track and while the trebles can sometimes go wild on metal tunes, it never made it harsh or aggressive. I won’t call it smooth or relaxed, it doesn’t hint at those limitations, it’s incredibly extended, but without adding unwanted resonances.
The best way to test its abilities is when less-than-perfect records make a grand appearance on your playlist. Right now, Bruce Dickinson shouts his lungs out that a constant Fear of the Dark is always near, yet this track never slashes my eardrums with sharp katanas. The heavy and aggressive character stays still, only the extra sharpness and digital glare are dealt with in style. The word effortless always comes around more often than not. The trebles come naturally towards you, it doesn’t try to attract lots of attention to it, you know it’s there and if you want to focus on a particular instrument – it becomes child’s play, as I don’t need to close my eyes for that to happen. Overall, the Reference Signature feels like a fine-polished Wavedream Reference, there’s more refinement all across the board, like an aged wine on a cool summer day. The technicalities went up by at least a notch or two, but the elegance with which every tune syncs with my soul is on a higher level.
VIII. Network Renderer Performance & Rockna App
As Rockna puts it: “The network renderer built inside Reference is unique not only because is our proprietary approach, but because it is seamlessly integrated into the DAC digital front-end. There is no separate “streamer section” or extra board, which removes the need for a dedicated external connection and unnecessary obstacles into the digital signal path. Natively integrated inside the Rockna ZYNQ SoC, the renderer can truly shine, allowing perfect sonic performance when selected.”
Once you select the LAN input, you have the choice to select your favorite Renderer: Roon, UPnP, Spotify Connect, OpenHome, HQPNAA and AirPlay. Spotify Connect and Apple’s AirPlay are self-explanatory, and if you use Apple devices, then you can stream whatever plays on your iDevice directly to the Rockna. It could be native Apple Music, Tidal, or Qobuz apps, anything really, unfortunately, this transmission protocol is not 100% lossless and the same can be said about Spotify, which is still lossy (mp3) to this day.
Since I already use a Roon Server – the Rockna Wavedream NET with a 4TB SSD inside, this is what I’m going to use. The interesting part is that the Wavedream NET can also be a Roon endpoint, acting as a server and streamer for regular DACs like Wavedream Signature. But in the case of the Reference Signature DAC, I can use its internal Roon endpoint and bypass the one in the WD NET and this part is cooler than you can imagine. Why? Because I can bring the Reference anywhere in the house, add an Ethernet cable and start streaming music to it. That’s exactly what I’m doing in my office. I no longer need to build a dedicated head-fi battle station. I just bring the Reference DAC, plug an Ethernet cable, and add a headphone amplifier like the Cayin Soul 170HA or Feliks Envy Performance Edition and I’m ready to rock! I no longer need to bring along the WD NET, the signal path is shorter, and thus, the sound should get even purer than ever before.
Roon integration is flawless and if this is what you’re going to use, then I strongly recommend the complimentary Rockna Wavedream Reference app found on both Google Play Store and iOS Store. Access the Roon app, go to the Audio tab, enable the Reference DAC from that list, go to the extension tab, and enable WDR Roon Integration and a pleasant surprise waits for you in the Rockna app. Once you playback music via Roon, the metadata will be sent to the Rockna app, making it ever so slightly cooler.
The sound via the included Network Renderer is exactly what you would expect from Rockna. The absolute best Roon endpoint/streamer I experienced so far is the Wavedream NET and the same can be said about the performance of the internal Network Renderer. If you want to squeeze the absolute best the Reference Signature is capable of, then this is the way! (in Mandalorian voice). The LAN input bypassed the need for an expensive streamer, all you need is a Roon server/core and you’ll be on cloud nine past this point.
The Rockna app is intuitive and lets you control every feature of the unit: select the digital input, the renderer and you can change all of the settings associated with the unit, such as digital filters, DSD bandwidth, PLL tracking mode, Dither, I2S port configuration and so much more. But what I find most intriguing is the About tab that lets you update the firmware of the unit within the app, without additional steps necessary from the user.
Now hear me out, from December 2024 until today (14 March 2025), there were 8 firmware updates. Yes, eight! Tell me if you happen to know a DAC maker that cares so much about its creations. Most units I know never received more than 2 updates over the years, let alone 8 updates in less than 4 months. The Reference line is still an open book, an extra update is coming as I’m typing this and I’m sure there will be more incoming. If this is not proper first-party support then I don’t know what is.
IX. The Battle Of The ROCKNAs
Alright everybody, time for a proper showdown between two of the best R2R ladder DACs. To my right sits the undefeated champion for two years in a row, wearing silver brushed aluminum shorts and a battle-hardened body. Please give a round of applause for the Rockna Wavedream Signature!
To my left sits a fresh and young-blooded contender, wearing bead-blasted aluminum shorts and smelling bad attitude from afar, please give a round of applause for the Rockna’s Wavedream Reference Signature! Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s get ready to Ruuuuumble!
ROCKNA Wavedream Signature XLR ($20.000) VS ROCKNA Wavedream Reference Signature ($26.000)
As mentioned before, both units are made out of CNC machined aluminum, the only difference is that we have brushed aluminum on the Wavedream, and bead-blasted aluminum on the newer one will better protect the unit from accidental hits or scratches. Another striking difference is that we no longer have buttons on the newer unit and there’s also a bigger colorful touch screen as opposed to a smaller monochrome display on the old unit. When it comes to inputs and outputs, the newest guy has two extra digital inputs: Optical and Ethernet. While Optical won’t excite as many people, the Ethernet input opens the door to the last network renderer you will ever need. People are sometimes spending a small fortune on world-class sounding streamers, but that is no longer necessary with the Reference DAC, as thanks to a powerful FPGA, streaming via Roon, UPnP, Spotify Connect, OpenHome, HQPNAA, and AirPlay as easy as it sounds. This way the signal path is the shortest it can get and you’ll bypass an extra cable in the process.
After back-and-forth comparisons between the Roon endpoint found in the Wavedream NET and the one inside the Reference DAC, I found them undistinguishable given I’m using signal cables of a similar quality. Even without discussing their sonics, it becomes clear that the Reference line is much more future-proof and feature-packed to its teeth, and it seems that the price gap no longer feels as massive as I originally thought.
While their inner workings are similar and, in both cases, we are dealing with R2R ladder DACs, Rockna redesigned everything from the ground up on the Reference line. There’s not a single trace or component that’s similar except for their name, the R2R modules, clocking and even the power supply have been improved with the latest technologies, and that was also reflected on the spec sheet. The signal-to-noise ratio improved tremendously, going from 132 dB on the Wavedream Signature up to 139 dB on the Reference Signature.
The original Wavedream sounds exactly how an R2R ladder DAC should sound in the first place and it is completely unlike any other R2R ladder DAC you ever heard of! Not only did it put Wagyu beef on skinny bones, but it took the lead when it comes to technicalities and fast transients, always sounding fast and clean compared to a typical slow & mellow R2R DAC.
The more I compare these two, the more I look with sweeter eyes at the Reference. Not only there’s ever so slightly more music waiting to be explored, especially in busy passages, but it also removes all traces of listening fatigue. I’ve observed that the Wavedream has a slight, almost unnoticeable ringing in the treble, while the Reference completely lacks any of that. It isn’t rolled-off or anything, there’s just less glare and more texture. The music was more organic, it poured more naturally on the Reference and it was by a hair less impressive on Wavedream. The midrange becomes more emotionally engaging and the trebles single-handedly remove every hint of digitus – an ugly creature that still sometimes visits the original Wavedream, especially on treble-intensive tracks. You could say, the Reference adds a higher refinement in the midrange and treble, while retaining the same nasty attitude in the bass.
The rise in dynamic range is also easily perceived with loudspeakers such as Raidho TD2.2, there’s a weird feeling that the noise floor went to subatomic levels on the newest unit, having more silence in between passages and a higher tone density when music starts playing. It’s a weird cause and effect, but I can’t deny hearing extra layers of sounds that feel one notch and a half more impressive on the newer model.
Last but certainly not least are the holography effects kicking in immediately on the Reference, getting a bigger sound on all axes and a greater stereo separation between the layers of sound. This immediate change was perceived not only via speakers, but also via open-back headphones, given you already use a high-end amplifier and some proper open-back headphones.
So, is this just a pimped-up Wavedream Signature? I think it’s a little more than that, inside and out. Substantial improvements were made all across the board, its feature set is now wider than ever before and the Reference Signature isn’t only providing an upgrade path to Wavedream Edition and Wavedream Signature users, but to any other R2R ladder DAC I have tested so far.
My Conclusions
If the Wavedream classic was a giant killer, then the Reference Signature feels like an apex predator! It’s the evolution of an ultimate DAC stitched together to an ultimate streamer, it’s a two-in-one with none of the compromises. It’s that good. It’s by no means reinventing the wheel, but it brings some serious quality-of-life improvements. It’s not changing my life in unthinkable ways but makes it much easier. It still converts zeroes and ones into 18-page stories, but it does that exceptionally well and I don’t see myself searching for a challenger anytime soon. The original Wavedream already outperformed my Chord Electronics DAVE in several aspects and I never saw my life without a unit like that sitting on my table. I got the next-gen and hopefully, my upgraditis itch will calm down for a while…until the Wavedream ULTRA will be knocking on my (heaven’s) door.
Is the Reference Signature just an extraordinary streaming DAC with a reworked face plate? I think it’s much more than that. It’s an instrument of sonic purity that doesn’t just reproduce sound – it gives life to it, shapes it, and turns it into an experience that transcends technology. This is where frequencies become emotion and silence takes form, where every note enters the spotlight.
In a world of interpretations, it is the truth. In a universe of compromises, it is the exception. Reference is not the end of a journey – it is the line between what you thought you knew and what you must now feel.
Music is not played. It’s reborn.
Space is not filled. It becomes alive.
Silence is not absence. It’s architecture.
And once you’ve heard it, there’s no way back. Only one question remains: What comes next?
Rockna doesn’t follow a standard; it defines one. It doesn’t produce sound; it architects it. This is not just a reference – it is The Reference, the inevitable conclusion of every pursuit. And once you step into this world, everything else becomes a mere echo of what should have been.
I must confess that I have rarely felt this lucky to own such a great piece of engineering. We tend to take life’s events for granted, as something that is ours. We forget to stop for a moment and enjoy it, feel the accomplishment, and be grateful.
This is a special moment for me, I don’t want it to pass, I want it to last forever and you know what? It will! I don’t really know how Rockna managed to create such a marvelous piece of engineering without covering itself in glory, but be there, next to us, music lovers & nerdy audio enthusiasts alike. For this, they’ll have my deepest respect and appreciation.
The essence of this story is quite simple, I bought it after experiencing its potential and it’s here to stay for a very long time. Our highest honor – the Editor’s Choice Award, makes sense and feels natural, and the only thing remaining to do is to congratulate the team for the titanic work involved.
I’ve waxed lyrical about it and made bold claims about its potential, but let me assure you that every word was fueled by genuine enthusiasm. The Rockna Wavedream Reference Signature DAC is a masterclass in audio engineering and while it’s not exactly affordable, it’s an investment that promises infinite returns. If musical engagement and technical excellence matter to you, don’t hesitate. Enlist and join the revolution!
PROS:
- Looks classy, stylish, and badass, it’s undeniably a Rockna from every angle you’re looking at it
- Symmetrical, strict, and serious, and the touch controls? It’s so much cooler in my book
- It’s your choice if you want to control it via an app, touch controls, or remote control
- Flawless looking on the inside and out, with some of the best components available
- Overengineered and overkill – a chef’s kiss from the DACMan
- Dead silent in both a stereo and head-fi battle station
- Lacks any kind of distortion or noise, even when used directly with power amplifiers
- A Genre Master unit in the true meaning of the word!
- The most resolving DAC I had the pleasure of testing, without becoming clinical or dry.
- Thunderous and hard slamming, it’s the pure definition of fun!
- Tightly controlled and refined sounding at all times
- Soundstage, stereo separation, and depth are as good as they can get
- Covers the frequency response in full, balancing it out in a natural fashion
- Rocks the widest selection of digital inputs and analog outputs
- A two-in-one Streaming DAC without compromising any of its features
- It’s the best DAC I have experienced so far
CONS:
- The price stings the wallet. Hard.
ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT:
- Digital Transport / Roon Server: Rockna Wavedream NET 4 Tb
- Network Switch: Ansuz PowerSwitch D3
- DACs: Rockna Wavedream Reference Signature & Rockna Wavedream Signature
- Headphone Amplifiers: Cayin Soul 170HA, Feliks Envy Performance Edition
- Preamplifier: Chord Electronics Ultima PRE 2
- Power Amplifiers: Chord Electronics Ultima 3 (X2)
- Full-sized headphones: HiFiMan Susvara Unveiled & Susvara OG, HE1000 Unveiled, T+A Solitaire P, Meze Elite, Erzetich Charybdis, Kennerton Rognir, Sennheiser HD800S & many others
- Loudspeakers: Raidho TD 2.2
- Interconnects: Crystal Cable Monet XLR (X2)
- Speaker cables: Crystal Cable Monet 2.5m
- Power Cables: Crystal Cable Monet 1.5m (X4), Neotech NEP-1001 (X2)
- Ethernet Cable: Crystal Cable Monet
- HDMI Cable: AudioQuest Dragon
- Balanced Isolation Power Conditioner: KECES IQRP-3600
- Audio Rack: Woodyard Suspended Triple & Baby Modular
