Roon Core Server Player
I'm thinking about upgrading from my Innuos Zen MkIII. Although there's been a lot written here about what sounds best, I've not seen a discussion of what higher end server/streamer/renderer will work properly as a Roon Core as well as a Roon Endpoint. The Roon Labs website is terrible at helping you find an answer to that question.
I'm looking in the $4k - $8k range and am considering the Innuos Zenith MkIII, the Auralic Aries, 432 EVO Aeon, etc. But I'd prefer to have the Roon Core and Roon Endpoint in the same box.
Roon is somewhat glitchy on the Innuos, but running the Innuos in Roon "Experimental Mode" clearly gives me better SQ than Innuos Sense, their proprietary software. The Auralic reportedly sounds better than the Zenith but it doesn't look like it can be a Roon Core. There's little written about the 432 EVO. Don't want to spend the money for a Grimm.
Anyone know of a brand that has great SQ (in that price range) and runs as both Roon Core and Endpoint?
@dougthebiker Roon is designed to sound best with separate server and endpoint/streamer. I'd expect NUC with Zen as endpoint will be superior to what you had previously.
For those running Roon, I've found best sound quality achieved by turning off all dsp, no software control of volume, no volume leveling, track analysis off, every possible processor sapping Roon process OFF. |
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Yes this is great discussion thanks everyone! As I try to improve my digital, I come across this dilemma: HIgh end Server Streamers do just that. Serve and Stream. Even getting clarity on nomenclature is tricky as different manufacturers use different terms. So many of the new high end devices would replace my Nucleus AND Stream (output usb audio in my world). I seem to want to keep my Nucleus+ in my computer room and with that on the network, use my Auralic Aries G2.1 Streamer in my audio room. Upgrading my power supply (mod) of the Aries should put it up there...(Look at the new Innuos Statement and the Sean Jacobs power supply option!). Ayway, thoughts on keeping the Music Server separate from the Streamer? I do feel more flexibility with this setup. I use USB into my Tambaqui. |
@fastfreight Highest quality streaming is possible with both integrated server/streamer and discreet. Quality of the usb rendering important here. very few integrated server/streamers do this, meaning high dollar expenditure here. Or you can spend less on server, put that money into separate streamer. Depending on components chosen financial outlay may be a wash. Keeping them separate does give one more options, along with more complexity.
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