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More Roon Questions

I’m going to ask a late question. This topic was talked about last week, but I need a little more info. I have this Lyngdorf MP-40 that is Roon ready. It’s headed my way from Denmark and will have it Friday. I’d like to go ahead and buy a Nucleus. From all the previous discussions last week I have settled on that route, along with Qubuz. My question is about these TB SSD cards. I am starting from scratch. I have no files or such to insert. I will be streaming from Qubuz, through the Nucleus to the Lyndorf. At least that’s how I understand it. I have never streamed before, I’m a shiny disc guy. Can’t I just stream through the Qubuz/Nucleus/Lyngdorf and call it a day? Lets say I want to listen to Dark Side of the Moon... Is it easier to grab the album from a pre downloaded file off of the SSD card than it is to just stream it off of Qubuz? What advantage is pre downloading it? Quicker ? Is it that much of a hassle to find it on Qubuz and getting it playing? I guess I just don’t get the process, but I know you guys will. Please explain in laymen’s terms ..
The reason I ask is because the standard Nucleus comes without any TB SSD (and what the heck does that stand for). The Cards are 400 dollars for a 2TB SSD, and I like to know what the 400 dollars extra gets me ..
nitrobob
rsf507
2,429 posts
 
Initially used a dedicated MacBook Pro that I ran Roon on then a few months back bought a Nucleus best thing I ever did. 
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verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,528 posts
 
Okay, Roon and any digital system requires three parts.  A server, a renderer player and DAC.  Any device that is "roon ready" is a renderer player. Additionally, your Lyngdorf has a DAC.  You only need a server.

The benefit of a Server is that it insulates the the renderer/player and DAC from the volatility of the internet and also allows access to local files. 

My experience is local files can sound better than streamed files.  This is especially the case with out a server as a buffer.  I find cheap streamers tend to do a poor job of handling internet traffic and local files will sound better.  

This is why you get something like a Nucleus.  It serves as a server and will get data from Qobuz/Tidal and allow access to any local files.  A 2TB SSD stands for two terabyte, solid state drive.  SSD means there are no moving parts and they tend to be faster and more stable than traditional hard drives.  

The size of the drive is driven by the # of local files you have.  I know they were running a promotion with a free 1TB drive recently.  If you have a modest library and simply need a few local files, a 1TB drive will be plenty.  If you have no local files and only need a backup, then a USB drive or any external USB drive will do the job.  
nekoaudio's avatar
nekoaudio
489 posts
 
The advantage to downloading is to have the file available even without using your Internet connection. This may be a benefit if you have intermittent connection issues, want to take the music with you while traveling (e.g. on your phone), or if you are purchasing music for "ownership" after cancelling your streaming subscription.
unsound
7,355 posts
 
I’d suggest trying to stream to the Lyngdorf without the Nucleus first. For all but rare recordings, you might find most of the desired music available via stream. For those few recordings you might have not available via streaming, you can still play them  the old fashioned way, with the thought that such content might eventually be available via streaming service. While streaming content might not sound quite as good, you might find the difference not worth the extra expense or effort. If you find the direct streaming sound quality unsatisfactory, you can always add the Nucleus with ss drive storage and spend the time loading it with your musical library or when critical listening time comes, just play back the old fashioned way, which might or might not ( I know redundant, but point to be made) sound better than from hard drive.
 One caveat: gapless playback of Classical music can be somewhat finicky via direct streaming.
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