Best Server To Run Roon Core

The new Mac Mini (new M1 chipset) is dead silent, inexpensive, and if you configure it properly, it is a fantastic option.  I’m running it on treated power with an Oyaide C7 for the mains.  Get a quality network cable, shut off Bluetooth and WiFi, and you’re fine running USB directly from the core.  I use an Intona USB 3.0 isolator, but found that I was almost as satisfied with the sound without using it.  I have built multiple Roon cores, built endpoints with custom LPS and DC cables, and this works as well if not better.  You can also optically isolate the server with a pair of media converters.  I’ve been using a certain type of stone for mechanical isolation, perhaps that helps as well.  Even if the core is running in Rosetta for now, I like what I hear.

Another customer very happy with wolf audio system red wolf 2 sx streamer plus Roon core. Had lumin in my system, listened to innuos statement and the wolf is a major upgrade . Started with the wolf 3sx and upgraded to red wolf 2 with separate linear power supply . Main components in the rest of my system is magico m3, ayre Mx-r and kx-r twenty and the awesome t+a sd 3100 hv reference dac.
call joe Parvey with wolf audio system and he will help you with the right server to meet all your needs. A happy wolf customer

I assembled a fanless i5 NUC and run ROCK which is Roons OS optimized for payback within their architecture. I have no idea if it sounds better than other options but ROCK is free, runs headless, updates in the background and has never crashed since I've been using it over 1 year now. It's also one of the cheaper options unless you have an old PC you can use.

@newtoncr -- I’ve heard a lot about Wolf Audio but never had the opportunity to audition their equipment. I would appreciate it if you can describe the improvements over Lumin and Innuos especially in terms of sonic abilities. Lumin is a well known and established company that has been building outstanding products. If Wolf Audio is a major upgrade, that is quite an achievement considering that it’s a family owned business. Looking forward to your comparison.

I doubt you'd notice a difference in SQ among the major choices**.
It comes down more to price, ease of integration and use, along with what else (if anything) you might want to do with the machine besides run Roon.

Options include:
* raspberry pi (probably the cheapest option; many users seem to be quite satisfied with them; involves a little DIY setup)
* Nucleus (a little pricey, but probably the easiest turn-key solution for running Roon Core)
* Nucleus alternatives such as the sonicTransporter, which tend to be a little cheaper than the Nucleus, possibly with faster processors, plus support for a few music-related applications besides Roon Core (such as HQ Player)
* Mac Mini (possibly a good choice if you might want a full-featured computer for tasks unrelated to Roon; compared to a Roon Nucleus, you'll probably pay less to get more, including faster processing, but this choice goes against some recommendations to dedicate a computer only to Roon processing)

** BACCH-SP not only can be configured to run as a Roon Core or endpoint, but also applies sophisticated "audiophile 3D" processes that do affect the SQ (soundstage/imaging) significantly. Very expensive, though.