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Roon for high end audio?

I have been listening almost exclusively to CDs but want to start to get into music streaming.  Sound quality is very high on my list, and I am interested in streaming for 2 reasons; broad selection and hopefully better sound.  I am using a dbx Venue 360 with a Jeff Roland Concerto Preamp and Roland Power amp.  I have a Savant system that allows music playback in multiple rooms, controls video etc.  My Savant integrator suggested Roon. Since I am not currently into streaming, I can’t figure out if Roon is the right thing to do.  It seems like a great music server service with the ability to manage very high quality digital files, but the downstream handling of the files and conversion to analog (DAC) seems lacking.  It seems most people are using it for playback in less than audiophile situations, and compatible equipment is very limited.  Quality wise, am I better off with something like Bluenote and a high quality DAC like say, Denafrips?
kingofgix
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,391 posts
 
@nitrobob,
Roon has 3 pieces:
Roon Core (a computer, NAS, SonicOrbiter or Nucleus) that runs the main software
Roon Endpoint - a renderer or streamer that feeds the signal to your DAC
Roon Remote - remote control functionality(tablet, phone, mac/PC) where you select what's playing/queued and discover music

This brief article does a decent job explaining it: https://www.whathifi.com/us/advice/roon-everything-you-need-to-know
Cheers,
Spencer
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,391 posts
 
@nitrobob, 
I forgot to mention, I read that your MP-40 is a Roon Ready Endpoint. That doesn't mean it is a Roon Core. You'll need to run Roon Core software on another device unless I'm incorrect about that. Cheers,
Spencer
kingbarbuda
515 posts
 
@sbank @nitrobob I wanted to specify that by running Roon core on a “computer” I think it is optimal from both a SQ and cost perspective to run Roon on an Intel NUC. You can put together an over spec’d NUC w/RAM and SSD for less than (conservatively) $900. That will get you a NUC with a fan that you may or may not want in your listening room but can be on your network elsewhere. Otherwise, you can place the NUC without the fan in an Akasa Turing case for about $170 and now it’s fanless and can be in your listening room. This is what I have done and replaced my InnuOS Zenith Mk3 and PhoenixUSB which cost thousands. I am very happy with the SQ of my NUC. It’s at as good as the Innuos gear for much much less $. 
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,391 posts
 
@kingbarbuda,

I agree 100% that a NUC is optimal from a cost perspective, but if you aren't interested in assembling one, the Small Green Computer Sonic Orbiters at almost the same pricing, and the pricier Roon Nucleus will provide equal sonics. Upgrading to better power supply on any of these will also provide further sonic improvement.

With little time available and not much interest in putting a NUC together, my choice was a Sonic Orbiter i5 which has been flawless, simple to set up and sounds fantastic paired with a Sonore opticalRendu feeding my DAC in the listening room. The Sonic Orbiter is a good choice if you prioritize champagne sound on a beer budget, but DIY-ish steps like installing operating systems doesn't sound like fun. Cheers,
Spencer
nitrobob
266 posts
 
Ok, so... to get this Roon running on the new Lyngdorf (which I am told ships this week) I need this Sonic Orbiter i5. Or something similar. It will take up one of my 3 inputs on the MP-40 as it only has 3 HDMI inputs. That leaves me one for my Blu Ray player and one for my Cable TV box... If this is the case, I’ll get one ordered... Thanks for the help guys. I also have a Roko but I suppose I can uses an Optical in.... 
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