Best setup for Roon

[antipop]

Originally Posted by Soundserge

Ahh... now I see it. I thought that was part of the Accuphase AD-20 DAC card somehow. Yes, you'll need an NAA. Best to check the Roon Partner devices matrix.

Originally Posted by PHC1

You can run Roon Core (the processing end of Roon which integrates with Tidal) on a PC, a Mac, a Roon Rock/NUC or similar. The integration and Digital Signal Processing happens here. It is know as the Roon Server.

Next step is how to connect to a DAC or the stereo system itself

It can be done via USB from your Roon Core or it can be done wirelessly through what is called a "Roon Ready" Endpoint Device.

"Roon Ready network players from our partners have Roon’s high-resolution streaming technology built right in.
Roon will discover them on your network, deliver the highest possible quality audio, and even allow volume control right from the Roon user interface"

You can find a list or Roon Ready network players/DACs here. https://roonlabs.com/partners.html

That's exactly my question here. Should I stick with my current setup or can it be improved by an SotM, Auralic,... ?

I can't really see what could be improved from a mac mini with an LPSU and wireworld platinum USB cable but I've never tried either.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by antipop

That's exactly my question here. Should I stick with my current setup or can it be improved by an SotM, Auralic,... ?

I can't really see what could be improved from a mac mini with an LPSU and wireworld platinum USB cable but I've never tried either.

Start with the Mac Mini. Use the USB to feed your DAC. Have fun listening. Then you can figure out what you want to do next if anything at all.

[nicoff]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Start with the Mac Mini. Use the USB to feed your DAC. Have fun listening. Then you can figure out what you want to do next if anything at all.

^^^This

[nicoff]

As PHC1 noted in a previous post, you start by loading Roon Core to your Mac Mini.
When you install Roon Core and set it up properly, you will be able to access via Roon all the music stored in your NAS as well as the entire Tidal. Library. Have fun!

[antipop]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Start with the Mac Mini. Use the USB to feed your DAC. Have fun listening. Then you can figure out what you want to do next if anything at all.

This is what I've planned doing now. Installed Roon on it this weekend but haven't had the time to listen to it. I'm just projecting in the future and trying to see how I can optimize the setup.

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by antipop

This is what I've planned doing now. Installed Roon on it this weekend but haven't had the time to listen to it. I'm just projecting in the future and trying to see how I can optimize the setup.

Yup, we are on the exact same trajectory here.

But I've listened to it over the last week and love the sound and the usability of the app. It's a no-brainer.

[2fastdriving]

Well I just bought an intel nuc i7, 7th gen, with samsung evo m.2 ssd and 8gb ram (roon claims it won't ever use more than 8gb).

There are some great black friday deals going on. I got all that for less than 600 bucks!

Looking forward to setting this up!

[Puma Cat]

Hi Georges!

To run Roon in "lossless" or bit-perfect mode, you need a Roon endpoint.

The simplest and easiest solution for your Mac Mini for Roon endpoint is to buy a Sonore microRendu for $650 and iFi power supply. Very easy setup and the sound quality is outstanding. I think Simple Green Computer will be having a Black Friday special so you may be able to get the microRendu for some amount off the standard price. The microRendu has gotten outstanding reviews and is regarded by two computer audiophile sites as sounding better than other solutions e.g. the Auralic Aries, etc.

I run my Roon core on my Mac Mini and then stream via Wife to an Apple Airport Express that sits on my audio rack.The Airport Express is then connected to the Sonore via an Ethernet cable. My Mac Mini is conencted to my Wifi router by Ethernet, also, and it is in a different room than the audo system to keep the hashy, grungy noise from the computer from getting into the audio system.

Here's mine as set up. You can see the brown ethernet Audioquest cable coming down from the Airport Express on the top shelf to the back of the mRendu. At the time I was running my Schiit Modi 2 Uber as my Gungnir was ast the Schiit-shop being transformed into a Gumby. I am using the Uptone Audio LPS-1 power supply (I'm also not using the AQ Jitterbug between the Rendu and DAC as it is superfluous).

[antipop]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

Well I just bought an intel nuc i7, 7th gen, with samsung evo m.2 ssd and 8gb ram (roon claims it won't ever use more than 8gb).

There are some great black friday deals going on. I got all that for less than 600 bucks!

Looking forward to setting this up!

Mark, looking forward to your feedback and if you can hear any changes.

[antipop]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Hi Georges!

To run Roon in "lossless" or bit-perfect mode, you need a Roon endpoint.

The simplest and easiest solution for your Mac Mini for Roon endpoint is to buy a Sonore microRendu for $650 and iFi power supply. Very easy setup and the sound quality is outstanding. I think Simple Green Computer will be having a Black Friday special so you may be able to get the microRendu for some amount off the standard price. The microRendu has gotten outstanding reviews and is regarded by two computer audiophile sites as sounding better than other solutions e.g. the Auralic Aries, etc.

I run my Roon core on my Mac Mini and then stream via Wife to an Apple Airport Express that sits on my audio rack.The Airport Express is then connected to the Sonore via an Ethernet cable. My Mac Mini is conencted to my Wifi router by Ethernet, also, and it is in a different room than the audo system to keep the hashy, grungy noise from the computer from getting into the audio system.

Here's mine as set up. You can see the brown ethernet Audioquest cable coming down from the Airport Express on the top shelf to the back of the mRendu. At the time I was running my Schiit Modi 2 Uber as my Gungnir was ast the Schiit-shop being transformed into a Gumby. I am using the Uptone Audio LPS-1 power supply (I'm also not using the AQ Jitterbug between the Rendu and DAC as it is superfluous).

Can I ask why you chose to go through an Apple express vs connecting the Apple mini straight into the Sonore?

I understand that the Mac Mini on its own is not bit-perfect via its USB and thus there is a need for the Sonore.