I recently went with a fanless, noiseless Small Green Computer sonicTransporter and an opticalRendu with Roon and couldn't be happier. It plays MQA, 32 / 768 PCM, and up to DSD 512. And, of course, Roon with it's new 1.8 rollout is great to work with.
Best Server To Run Roon Core
Hi Folks,
I don’t currently run ROON, but would like to begin correctly in order to give it a chance - and I understand that server (hardware) on which Roon core is installed is important for SQ (due to noise reduction and other factors).
What are the best hardware for SQ and usability where ROON core should be installed and why (be it audiophile dedicated servers or modified PCs)? Please comment on the rest of your setup for context if you could.
Thank you in advance.
I don’t currently run ROON, but would like to begin correctly in order to give it a chance - and I understand that server (hardware) on which Roon core is installed is important for SQ (due to noise reduction and other factors).
What are the best hardware for SQ and usability where ROON core should be installed and why (be it audiophile dedicated servers or modified PCs)? Please comment on the rest of your setup for context if you could.
Thank you in advance.
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- 133 posts total
I have a question. I’m using the Cary Audio DMS600 Streamer/DAC with a Roon Nucleus and a Audioquest Vodka Ethernet Cable. Is there any additional devices that will improve the sound even more like an OpticalRendu, UltraRendu or an EtherREGEN? Any other option available? I am thinking about the Cary Audio DMS700. Thanks |
Get a roon endpoint. Raspberry pi is your starting point but with a small upgrade to include a well designed HAT (hardware attached on top) you are one step from unbelievable sound at a great price. For me, the PI2AES was the way to go and beat my mac mini hands down. https://www.pi2design.com/pi2aes.html The PI2AES (the so-called pi-HAT) is the roon endpoint. You can't install roon directly on a raspberry so instead you install an operating system that functions as an endpoint. I used RoPIeee|XL which is pretty straightforward if you know anything about unix: https://codexwilkes.com/downloads/ropieee-guide-for-beginners.pdf The difference between this and running on my mac mini was like night and day. I would say this was the biggest bang for the buck I have yet experienced on my system. I run this into an ADI-2-DAC FS and it sounds amazing. Here's a great article that does a showdown using the PI2AES: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/streamer-ddc-showdown-pi2aes-vs-sotm-sms200-ultra-neo.939706/ |
One major point i want to emphasize. Everyone focuses on the DAC but most DAC's are pretty darn good. The weakest link is often the music server. I have a several thousand dollar mac mini I thought was just fine but it was destroyed hands down by the pi-HAT described above. So the music server is very important. The music server does NOT have to be expensive. I would be interested to see if others have observed the same as I did. |
@decathlon -- I have a question. I’m using the Cary Audio DMS600 Streamer/DAC with a Roon Nucleus and a Audioquest Vodka Ethernet Cable. Is there any additional devices that will improve the sound even more like an OpticalRendu, UltraRendu or an EtherREGEN? Any other option available? I am thinking about the Cary Audio DMS700.The Cary DMSs have a nice network bridge (renderer / endpoint) built in. If you want to improve something, then upgrade to the DMS-700. There is thread in here about a few people upgrading to the 700 and being very happy. Later on, if so inclined, you can try an EtherREGEN or some other type of Ethernet switch or filter. |
- 133 posts total