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Question on Streamer/Dac and Roon

I'm fairly new to digital and am building a system that's both MQA capable and Roon ready. I currently use a 2014 Mac Mini as roon server + streamer connected by USB to the Mytek Brooklyn Dac+, which then feeds balanced into a Mac pre and amp. I keep reading the mac mini is noisy as a streamer and hence the post. If I were to re-engineer a bit there are a couple of choices I can make, assuming my original goals of MQA and Roon remain. 

Should I:
1. Get a Lumin U1 mini, which can act as a Roon endpoint, and feed into the Mytek DAC (ESS 9028)
2. Combine the streamer and Dac functionality into the Lumin T2. I'm not sure if this is indeed a step up since the T2 also has the same ESS 9028 chipset as the Mytek. 
3. Keep the current setup and be done. 

I use the mac mini as the roon server, and that comes to my last question. If I get either of the Lumins, they would be the roon endpoint. I will still need the mac mini or a NUC to act as the roon server. I'm not able to comprehend the point of a streamer other than acting as an endpoint for Roon, sort of like a catcher to what Roon throws at it. If Roon is going to be the front end, does the Lumin really provide me with a benefit? I like the Roon software and being a lifetime member unlikely to switch over to the Lumin app. And I do not have Lumin dealers nearby to audition them. 

And some footnotes. I dont want to spend too much, the Lumin U1 mini or T2 is the max I would like to go, if I can justify their point of existence within my system. Also, not a Nucleus fan if a NUC can do the job for cheaper, and so can the mac mini. 

What would you do and why?

128x128rajivhifi
erik_squires
16,152 posts
 
The biggest problems with any PC is the power supplies which are very noisy, and ground loops in the USB connection.

Your Mac mini will work fine as a Roon core, but I would recommend a streamer that is not directly attached.  If you are at all PC savvy, consider making a Roon endpoind out of a Pi 4 with Ubuntu.  That's what I use. 
jaytor's avatar
jaytor
765 posts
 
Roon recommends using a separate device for the core and endpoint since the core is much more compute intensive than the endpoint, and thus a device that is doing less computing (and thus theoretically quieter) can handle the endpoint duties to deliver data to the DAC. 

Erik's suggestion of using a Rasberry PI is probably the most cost effective solution for this and many people have found this to be an excellent solution (particularly for the cost). 

I will suggest one other option which can be used your Mac Mini is colocated with your audio system. I replaced my Bryston streamer (a $3K+ device that has a good reputation) with a Denafrips Gaia DDC. This device accepts digital data in numerous different formats (I am using USB from my Roon Rock server) and then outputs in many different formats. In addition to possible format conversion, it's primary functions are noise isolation and reclocking. 

There are a few different companies producing these kinds of devices, but the only one I have experience with is the Gaia. I am connection my DAC using i2s from the Gaia, and the sound quality improvement compared to using the Bryston was VERY apparent. I think a lot of this was switching to i2s which my DAC (Denafrips Terminator at the time, now upgraded to Terminator Plus) seems to really thrive on. 

A conventional streamer may work better in your particular situation, but wanted to offer this as another option to consider.
patrickdowns's avatar
patrickdowns
514 posts
 
Roon Nucleus, or even better, an SGC Sonictransporter for your Roon core. Endpoint/streamer of your choice.
https://www.smallgreencomputer.com/collections/music-players
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,500 posts
 
In a roon system the server handles any local music and communication with your streaming service and the player/renderer processes your tracks, and applies DSPs.  

I had a dedicated PC just to running Roon and when I moved from it to a Nucleus+, I was SHOCKED at the difference it made.  Everything became quieter and more dynamic.  

Now, the Nucleus or Nucleus+ are very nice and will connect to your DAC and serve as Server and Player.  I would be surprised if you don't find this to be an improvement over your Mac Mini.  The difference between the two is driven by two factors, library size and whether you intend to apply a DSP to DSD vs PCM or no DSP at all.  

If your library is greater than 120K tracks or you want to use a DSP on DSD, you need the Nucleus+.  Otherwise and Nucleus will be fine.  This is a lovely unit but has limited upgradability.   

Another alternative would be to look at something like an Antipodes S30.  It can server as a player and server but has a nice upgrade path where you can add a second one or an S40 as a separate server and player, it has a separate power supply available and even an external clock available if you ever need one.  
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Take a lot of what you read about "noise" in digital with a grain of salt. Do you have a problem now with noise in your system? If not don't sweat it the Mytek is more than capable of dealing with USB. If the fan is audible from the mini then move it to another room and connect it by ethernet and use a roon endpoint like a raspberry pi4 running Ropiee connected to the Mytek or any other endpoint that's roon ready. If having one box is more to your liking there are a number of streamer-dac solutions. 
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