Point of diminishing returns for a Network Streamers?

@aberyclark few things to consider…

1. mac is decent as Roon core assuming it’s up to spec of what Roon recommends  

2. Roon is very demanding when it comes to resource consumption. Using one machine as roon core and streamer is not the best approach.
 

I have tested my Mac Mini 2018  (Roon core) as a streamer against AURALiC Aries G1 and my current streamer, Lumin U1 Mini. In both cases the Mac Mini was beat. Some of the improvements I noticed were less “digital”, less midrange glare and more relaxed, natural sound. Also lower noise floor, better imaging and soundstage. 
 

I’m not familiar with iFi Zen streamer or the Pro-Ject. But I can highly recommend Lumin. 

“Roon is very demanding when it comes to resource consumption. Using one machine as roon core and streamer is not the best approach.”

@audphile1

I beg to differ. If Nucleus and Mac-Mini or similar devices is your reference, then the answer is YES!

IME, it’s the subpar and lazy approach in the design and implementation of most ROON compatible devices that leading us to believe that a single device serving as Roon core and end point is not optimal. To name a few, take a look at Taiko, Pink Faun, Grimm Audio and Merging Technologies. All these are prime example of how both Roon Core and Renderer can co-exist in a single device and yet yield to a sublime streaming audio experience, provided your rest of the system is up to par. I am just amazed by my Merging Technologies +player abilities to render captivating streaming experience, all from a single box.

I hope designers at Lumin and Esoteric take cues from aforementioned brands and eliminate the need for external computer for Roon Core, it is not at all necessary based on my experience with +player. 

@lalitk I was commenting within the context of the original post. Perhaps I should have clarified. And yes there are units out there that excel at streaming while running as roon core. Without a doubt.

I had a Lumin U1 Mini, got curious and built a Ropieee pi4 with pi2AES HAT into same DAC. after about two weeks I felt something was missing... switched back to Lumin and things were back to better. 

They were close, but I could definitely tell something wasn't right, and feel the extra dough was enough to make me stick with Lumin. 

@ghdprentice just curious, what streamer do you have?