AudioAficionado.org - Waited too long to get Roon Core off my Laptop

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Waited too long to get Roon Core off my Laptop

About a month ago I was discussing my digital set-up with the NA dCS GM. I noted that I had transitioned from Sooloos to Roon over the past 9 months for my 2-channel room listening sessions. I had been considering the switch from my Meridian 808v6 to a dCS solution but was waiting for the MQA update. During our conversation it came up that I was hardwired (ethernet) to my DAC but I was running Roon Core wirelessly on my MacBook Pro. He said I was giving up SQ with this set-up and suggested I install a hardwire NUC to run Roon Rock or Server. I couldn't believe that I was missing and was in no hurry to make a decision as to go with a Intel NUC, wait for Roon's Nucleus solution or purchase one of the "authorized" products listed on the Roon site. Well last week I finally decided to go with a Sonictransporter i5 (the i7 would have been overkill since I will not be running any DSP functions). It arrived yesterday and after a few self inflicted hic-ups I am up and running this afternoon. :yikes: I have had the best day of listening to my set-up that I can remember. The difference in Tidal via Roon with the Sonictrasnporter running Roon Server is almost shocking. I haven't had time to listen to many of my burned CD's as the migration of my music from the USB drive to the 2TB drive I had built into the Sonictransporter has been painfully slow. (In fact it just finished after 7 hours as I was typing this)

I know there are many alternate solutions for running Roon Core/Server/Rock but I will confirm you are missing something if you leave it on your laptop.

I can state I do not remember hearing better digital SQ anywhere than what I have heard the last few hours.

I’m glad to see you went for it. I’ve been very happy with mine. It has worked without a hiccup (knock on wood), including a number of power outages where power was suddenly shut off. When I start it back up it syncs and is back in business.

Very cool. I will be doing this soon. I've been using a mac mini with audirvana for a long time now, and I think Roon/Nuc would be a nice improvement...if nothing else, it will be better for the ipad controls and experience.

I first tried Roon on my MacBook pro and then moved to the same i5 as you have and found it to me a great improvement as well.

Running Roon Rock on a NuC.
Best sound quality we have had for digital playback.
A no brainer really.

Thanks for the update Jim. I'm just starting out with Roon but love it so far. I do like DSP and am not afraid to use it judiciously. :D I especially like the Headroom Management of DSP section, I find it beneficial for some of the genres of music that I listen to.

I listen with headphones most of the times and find the DSP useful but have not played around with 2 channel yet. Feeding my DAC from USB of my Windows PC, for some reason Roon is still using RAAT even though my Schiit Gungnir DAC is not Roon ready. :scratch2: Everything sounds great now but I guess at some point I will also try a Roon NUC.

Does anyone use a NUC USB output to their DAC? I don't want to buy a microrendu if I can help it. I guess it depends if the DAC works natively with Linux. I am not sure about the Esoteric's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Still-One (Post 879668)

Awesome. Glad you are all set up and running. Hopefully MQA update arrives soon. I made the switch to Roon ROCK on NUC via Ethernet and agree that this is by far the best streaming setup I have used. Great interface and great SQ.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving (Post 879700)

Does anyone use a NUC USB output to their DAC? I don't want to buy a microrendu if I can help it. I guess it depends if the DAC works natively with Linux. I am not sure about the Esoteric's.

Marc the main reason for using this type of system is to get the computer away from your audio system. So the new ultra Rendu or signature Rendu are the best options.

Agree what is said on the thread as first choice for SQ as Roon is the operating system.

Second choice would be to run a clean (nothing more then what came with the unit, do not store other apps) Mac Mini or simliar used only for Roon acting as the Core and your music, (try using 1 or 2 AQ Jitterbugs) and connect to your network via RJ45.

The 1 benefit of Mac Mini is you can burn discs with an added drive. Roon either can be selected or does so automatically to play the highest resolution but select the highest processor and ram you can budget.

There the iPad will serve as the access point and your dialed. Also you get to play around with the options for different SQ, sorts and similar.

Side note that may or may not apply; review your modem and switch to ensure it is up to meeting the network demand of the home (other users, streaming, gaming) and speed. I had trouble with Tidal skipping when MQA Masters was selected, replaced this and problem is gone with higher download speeds saving time.

Update posting with with corrections or need for clarity.

Hope this helps and supports the discussion!