2019 Mac Pro vs. Roon

I can think of one area where your computer would have advantage over most  dedicated server, in that you have powerful processor, great if one is using dsp such as HQPlayer. In just about every other way, GS computer inferior. Noise is the culprit, noise generated by multiple processes running on motherboards. Dedicated servers limit this noise by running minimal processes, this requires major optimization of operating systems, which means eliminating most  GS computer capability, also many hardware changes, especially in the best of these servers.

On the other hand, unless one is willing to to deep dive with streaming, meaning high sound quality, don't bother. Deep dive means optimizing entire network and chosen source connections, such as usb, i2s, aes/ebu, clean power supplies, ie, linear power supplies on virtually everything. Streaming only for convenience, GS computer fine. Be prepared for complexity and continual upgrading if serious about sound quality.

Thanks for the info! What about the Marantz? It allows you to plug in a USB drive, connect to a network, and stream. Is that like a music server?

sns a more powerful processor is what you dont want the more powerful the  processor the greater the noise 

this is the major distinction between using a laptop vs a dedicated server

the server has been designed from scratch for low ejectrical noise and maximum isolation of the data stream

we have tested many music servers and the best sound from streaming  has been from the innous and 432EVo servers both are dedicated roon cores and endpoints 

if you have a fast enough isolated low noise  processor you can easily keep the core and endpoint in the same chassis  without any issues,

the key is having a quiet processor that is electrically isolated 

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect 

server specialists

@sns is correct with the issues he has raised. There is great white paper by the guy who built the EtherRegen and the OpticalRendu that gives a road map to great streaming sound using his products. This approach does not care about what is used to serve the music. A massively powerful computer or a dedicated audiophile server. Though nothing is connected directly to the DAC via USB or Ethernet. There is an intermediary that serves as a moat between source of the music and the DAC.

If interested I can find a link to the paper or forum post.

Thanks much everyone.

I'm going to look at the Uptone Audio gear. I read the Roon white paper. I didn't read anything about USB noise. My system (Levinson 585, Contour 20i, SACD 30n, etc.) seems deserving of the best signal I can't send to it.  The Levinson and SACD 30n each seem to have solid dacs, so would they address that issue?

I'm still wondering whether using a USB drive via a Marantz SACD 30n (which I already have) would provide the same SQ benefits as a server. Streaming isn't really my thing. I just want to be able to play my downloaded files as best as is possible.