Is Roon Nucleus the best choice for Roon Core and as server?

Look into a Salk Streamer.

Better Bang for the buck.  

Hi guys, i’m also looking at different alternatives for Qobuz streaming only and perhaps little local storage.Would a Roon Rock server be up to the task in a 180K reference level system or should i look at more expensive streamers like Innuos or Antipodes ?Right now i’m using a dedicated fanless NUC with SOTM external USB reclocking and Daphile for Qobuz streaming in my headphone rig.

Building your own Roon ROCK server is a great way to save some money and still get an top-notch product. My configuration used the following parts:

Intel NUC8i7BEH (i7 gen8): $659
Crucial 8GB DDR4 x2: $58
Transcend 128GB PCIe SSD: $29
Samsung 860 1TB SSD: $130
Samsung 128GB Thumb Drive for backups: $18
Akasa Turing Fanless case: $175
ZeroZone 100VA 19V Linear PS: $175

Total: $1199

This is the same CPU, twice the RAM (probably not necessary), twice the boot/database drive size (allows much larger library), Linear power supply (the Nucleus+ comes with a SMPS), and 1TB library storage (not included with the Nucleas+) at half the price.

The NUC comes with a SMPS, so you can use that if you don't want to upgrade to a LPS. 

It did take about an hour to set up the NUC with ROCK, and another hour to install the NUC in the Akasa case, but it's relatively straight-forward and has worked great since I built it in January. 

The NUC is pretty quiet in its standard case, so even if you want it in your listening room, you might be satisfied without the fanless case which saves some money and time.

@jaytor  Thanks for your input, my NUC is also in a fanless Akasa case very easy to mount indeed.I will do the same with an I7 NUC and add a linear PSU to the NUC.Install Roon Rock and get Roon membership.This NUC will be connected to my router via ethernet and from router to dual quad Paul Pang switchs and towards Totaldac d1-Twelve mk2 DAC.This configuration should be at the level of a top notch CD transport.