Best Server To Run Roon Core

@fastfreight 

If you are already using a LPS with Nucleus plus then the next (upgrade) step would be a custom made server with optimized USB. Consider reaching out to Wolf Audio for a tailor made solution. 

@sns Thanks.  I misspoke here; I have USB hard drive and Ethernet into Nucleus+, and Ethernet out to my Switch and streamer.

@lalitk Thanks, I have heard good things about Wolf.  My Nucleus is working fine, but I have a history of issues and repair.  It is about the last thing I have not taken to the next level.  BTW, I am awaiting Muon Pro from NA when available, and will be trying it in both of my systems and most likely keeping it in front of my Aries G2.1 Streamer.  Fortunately, the regular Muon works great into my Makua w. DAC and streamer, but not into my Aries, which craves the 1G input.  Take care!

@fastfreight 

Looking forward to your impressions on Pro vs Std Muon. There is a custom NUC option readily available off Amazon but not sure how much of an upgrade that would be over Nucleus +.  Many user reported issues / repairs with Nucleus so I recognize at some point you will be getting a replacement. 

@lalitk, Hello!   I now have my Muon Pro Streaming System (which means includes the second cable, which is by the way distinct for the Pro version). 

Recall I have Gateway 1100 Verizon Modem > JCAT M12 gold cable > M12 Gold Switch w/ Jcat Optimo 3 power supply > M12 Cable > Nucleus +

                                                             >M12 Cable > JCAT Net Isolator (coupler) >

Supra Cat 8 20 M >(WITH OR WITHOUT MUON PRO FILTER SYSTEM) > Aries G2.1 Streamer w LPS > USB (K-S Realization)  > Mola Mola Tambaqui > Audionet Pre and amps.

So I tried with and without the Muon Pro directly in front of my streamer. I listened casually for a few days to run it in, then did some serious A/B switching the Muon Pro in and out.  My wife has good ears and for her it was blind as I was the wizard behind the components.

1)  I had no issues with turning the Aries on and off and changing the cables quickly, and the Aries connected immediately.  This is showing the Gigabit put through of the Muon Pro vs the bottleneck I had with the previous regular Muon.

2) The Muon Pro adds significant improvement to our ears vs the straight-in Supra cat 8.  The sound was bigger, richer, more enveloping and just plain more pleasurable.  There was no doubt to us, and it was immediate.

3) The Muon Pro is connected with another JCAT Net Isolator into the Network Acoustics Muon Pro cables, One is hardwired out of the Muon Filter; the other is the second Muon Pro Network cable going from the Net Isolator (coupler) into the Muon filter.  My point here is that the second Muon Pro cable AND the JCAT Net Isolator could be helping.  Certainly Rich at NA says the second Muon Pro cable is important.  An interesting test would be to simply use the Net Isolator and one Muon Pro cable (leaving the Filter out) and see if they help by themselves.  This is only academic to me, as I love the sound of the Muon Pro Filter.

4) I can soon test the original Muon Filter against the Muon Pro  in my Mola Mola Makua system.  The embedded streamer is less sensitive to the 1G requirement, and works flawlessly with the original Muon.

@fastfreight

Thanks for sharing your impressions. I am glad to hear you’re loving the Muon Pro, the praises are unanimous so far with streamers that are designed for 1Gb/s Ethernet. I find it quite interesting Muon Pro’s impact ahead of M12 switch which is pretty phenomenal on its own. I wonder if the long run of Supra CAT 8 is somewhat diminishing M12 efficacy over such long distance from Aries. An interesting test would be to remove M12 from the equation and listen to Aries with Muon Pro to access if you miss M12 performance.

I have been eyeing upcoming Telegartner’s OPT BRIDGE 1000M, according to Marcin (JCAT) using OPT BRIDGE ahead of M12 adds clarity, improves articulation while making the sound more analogue. He was skeptical given the price of BRIDGE powered by OPTIMO 3 DUO but the improvement is substantial enough to take the plunge 😊