Variable Roon Sound Quality

**Ricky64** · May 27, 2021, 10:50 AM

Hi All;

I'm currently running Roon on a nuc with Rock. I use it for multiple systems/speakers (including Sonos) around the house. I have a synology NAS, and stream Qobuz and Tidal.In my main system, I use ethernet into a Mola Mola Tambaqui as the end point.
I've recently introduced some new components into my system, and have been spending more time critically listening. I have been tearing my hair out as sometimes it sounds fantastic, but other times it sounds very bright, with a huge attenuation of bass, sharply dropping off under 110 Hz. Since that time, I've been moving speakers, swapping cables, trying a pre amp in the system, etc.

Last evening, the system was sounding very thin, and devoid of bass. I finally decided to reboot the nuc, and suddenly had full range sound again...

Thus, my system issue is the source. Now, I am questioning the logical steps to remedy. I really would like to stay with Roon, but I am not willing to put up with these variations in sound quality.

Thoughts on next best steps?

Thanks!

System Mola Mola Tambaqui-->Gryphon Essence Stereo Amp-->Focal Utopia Be L&R Monitors.

**wklie** · May 27, 2021, 11:58 AM

Some of the options you may consider: LPS, fanless chassis, Ethernet isolation such as fiber conversion or other means like GigaFOIL, etc. Ask Mike.

**Puma Cat** · May 27, 2021, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Ricky64

Hi All;

I'm currently running Roon on a nuc with Rock. I use it for multiple systems/speakers (including Sonos) around the house. I have a synology NAS, and stream Qobuz and Tidal.In my main system, I use ethernet into a Mola Mola Tambaqui as the end point.
I've recently introduced some new components into my system, and have been spending more time critically listening. I have been tearing my hair out as sometimes it sounds fantastic, but other times it sounds very bright, with a huge attenuation of bass, sharply dropping off under 110 Hz. Since that time, I've been moving speakers, swapping cables, trying a pre amp in the system, etc.

Last evening, the system was sounding very thin, and devoid of bass. I finally decided to reboot the nuc, and suddenly had full range sound again...

Thus, my system issue is the source. Now, I am questioning the logical steps to remedy. I really would like to stay with Roon, but I am not willing to put up with these variations in sound quality.

Thoughts on next best steps?

Thanks!

System Mola Mola Tambaqui-->Gryphon Essence Stereo Amp-->Focal Utopia Be L&R Monitors.

I doubt it's Roon causing this as I am running Roon on a Mac Mini with an optical set-up and its sound very close in quality to a dedicated $10K high-end audio NAS.

One idea would be to keep track of your sources, e.g. Tidal, Qobuz, or ripped files and see if there is a correlation with the source of the content.

Also, if you're connecting to your Tambaqui directly from a router or Ethernet switch that is powered using a switch-mode power supply, you want to get rid of that straightaway, and replace it with a linear power supply. As Peter from Lumin has mentioned, installng a run of optical fiber between your NAS and the Tambaqui could help as well.

If you could describe for us your entire network chain from the NAS to the Tambaqui including cables and power supplies, that would help us provide you with some suggestion to try.

**Ricky64** · May 27, 2021, 01:45 PM

My network is spread throughout the house, NAS in basement, standard switches, etc. I still think there may also be a roon issue..perhaps the multiple zones? I'm not using DSP. Not very tech savvie myself. Wondering if I should just convert to one of the Innuous/small green computer/Sonore/Auralic/Sotm thingamagiggies that simplify and make more direct connections. But which one?
Also pondered whether running a dedicated roon core for the main system, and a second for the other household applications would make sense.

**steve59** · May 27, 2021, 02:03 PM

Been running roon thru the nucleus for a couple years and have had problems with the roon/ ipad control but nothing that affects sound quality, either all or nothing for me and more likely internet or router problems.

**brad225** · May 27, 2021, 03:13 PM

I would suggest trying a Small Green Computer. I'm using I9 with UltraRendu and my Synology. Roon/Qobuz combination works flawlessly. The ability to upsample was far better than I expected. I previously used a dedicated laptop wiped of everything that could be removed but the SGC is far superior.

Andrew at SGC is great to work with. I am not tech savvy and he has logged in to set things I was unable to figure out.

If I remember correctly they have a 90 day trial on their products.

**aKnyght** · May 27, 2021, 03:17 PM

i reboot my transport running ROCK every so often but do not notice any SQ bump after doing so. an important difference is that i only run two endpoints: direct to dac via usb and to my office computer via LAN.

it would make sense to repeat the experiment / procedure to see if you observe the same difference in SQ.

not sure this helps but my solution to running roon ROCK is described here and here. there are similar non-DIY solutions available such as SGC which is highly regarded as well as the others you mention.

**Puma Cat** · May 27, 2021, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by aKnyght

i reboot my transport running ROCK every so often but do not notice any SQ bump after doing so. an important difference is that i only run two endpoints: direct to dac via usb and to my office computer via LAN.

it would make sense to repeat the experiment / procedure to see if you observe the same difference in SQ.

not sure this helps but my solution to running roon ROCK is described here and here. there are similar non-DIY solutions available such as SGC which is highly regarded as well as the others you mention.

Really nice write-up, aKnyght! We should make this a sticky for folks that want to do a similar set-up.

Well done, mate.

**Puma Cat** · May 27, 2021, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by Ricky64

My network is spread throughout the house, NAS in basement, standard switches, etc. I still think there may also be a roon issue..perhaps the multiple zones? I'm not using DSP. Not very tech savvie myself. Wondering if I should just convert to one of the Innuous/small green computer/Sonore/Auralic/Sotm thingamagiggies that simplify and make more direct connections. But which one?
Also pondered whether running a dedicated roon core for the main system, and a second for the other household applications would make sense.

Ricky,
if you could post a picture of your set-up (e.g. in Powerpoint), that might help. But given your description here, I can think of 3 fairly simple solutions for you that would result in notable improvements.

Option 1: From one of your switches (in the same network as your NAS and Roon NUC), run an Ethernet cable to A side of an Uptone Audio EtherREGEN. From that, use a good quality Ethernet cable (e.g. a Shunyata Venom, Delta or better) out of B side to your Tambaqui. That will result in a notable improvement in SQ.

Option 2: From one of your network switches, run an Ethernet cable to a Sonore OpticalModule (OM). Then run LC/LC specification optical fiber to another OM in your main audio rack. Then, use a high quality Ethernet cable (e.g. a Shunyata Venom, Delta or better) to your Tambaqui.

Option 3: From one of your network switches, run an Ethernet cable to a Sonore OpticalModule (OM). Then run LC/LC specification optical fiber to an optical transceiver into A side of an EtherREGEN in your main audio rack. Then, use a high quality Ethernet cable (e.g. a Shunyata Venom, Delta or better) out of B side to your Tambaqui.

I can post a picture if you need one. Cheers.

**Alkyogre** · May 30, 2021, 03:58 PM

Yesterday I finished my Nuc setup:

It is a linux pc, with roon installed. On that same pc I have HQPlayer. They work together, the layout by Roon, the stream itself has nothing to do with Roon, it is done by the protocol HQPlayer uses: NAA

There are just a few streamers capable with the HQPlayer stream

aqua LinQ
exaSound s88 Streaming DAC
T+A SDV 3100 HV
Sonore microRendu/ultraRendu as a NAA
SOtM sMS-200/sMS-200ultra/sMS-1000SQ as a NAA
StackAudio Link II
exaSound PlayPointDM/Sigma Streamer/Gamma Server
totaldac d1-streamer

That being said: yesterday I finished a pc in a fanless chassis, which doesn’t get too hot when converting pcm to dsd 512.

The result is there: HQPlayer on that machine sounds awesome 😎

By the way, I have it for sale for 1000 euro and will only ship within the EU

**Puma Cat** · May 30, 2021, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by Alkyogre

Yesterday I finished my Nuc setup:

It is a linux pc, with roon installed. On that same pc I have HQPlayer. They work together, the layout by Roon, the stream itself has nothing to do with Roon, it is done by the protocol HQPlayer uses: NAA

There are just a few streamers capable with the HQPlayer stream

aqua LinQ
exaSound s88 Streaming DAC
T+A SDV 3100 HV
Sonore microRendu/ultraRendu as a NAA
SOtM sMS-200/sMS-200ultra/sMS-1000SQ as a NAA
StackAudio Link II
exaSound PlayPointDM/Sigma Streamer/Gamma Server
totaldac d1-streamer

That being said: yesterday I finished a pc in a fanless chassis, which doesn’t get too hot when converting pcm to dsd 512.

The result is there: HQPlayer on that machine sounds awesome 😎

By the way, I have it for sale for 1000 euro and will only ship within the EU

Thanks, Alkyogre. I need to figure out how to get this to work on my system. How do you configure an SMS-200Ultra as a NAA? I think that's been my problem. My attempts at using HQPlayer as an output player for Roon so far have not worked. With SOtM SMS-200 UltraNeo network bridge, and I can configure HQPlayer on my local Eunhasu/local web page, but I just can't get output of music. I think I need to set my SOtM SMS-200 up as an NAA but I don't know how to do that.

**Ricky64** · May 31, 2021, 10:51 AM

I like the idea of using Roon as an interface and using HQplayer as the engine. Any standouts in this group of players from an absolute performance standpoint or value aspect? I think Mike sells the Aqua.

**nicoff** · May 31, 2021, 10:55 AM

HQP is certainly not the most intuitive software out there. It could be a simple setting within HQP that is keeping you from getting sound. You should visit Roon's community forums. They have a HQPlayer thread and Jussy the person who created HQPlayer contributes regularly.

According to Jussi, the benefit of using HQP NAA is:

"USB in most cases is not isolated at all and has direct galvanic connection between host and the device.
While ethernet by definition is transformer-isolated at all connecting ends. In addition, using ethernet or other IP capable networking gear also allows using optical interconnects further isolating any noise. It also allows longer cabling, so HQPlayer computer can reside outside of the listening room to easily deal with possible acoustic noises (fans) of powerful computers.

In addition IP networking provides one-to-many and many-to-one connectivity USB lacks. So you can either use same DAC from multiple computers, or multiple DACs (around the house) from the same computer."

**Alkyogre** · May 31, 2021, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Thanks, Alkyogre. I need to figure out how to get this to work on my system. How do you configure an SMS-200Ultra as a NAA? I think that's been my problem. My attempts at using HQPlayer as an output player for Roon so far have not worked. With SOtM SMS-200 UltraNeo network bridge, and I can configure HQPlayer on my local Eunhasu/local web page, but I just can't get output of music. I think I need to set my SOtM SMS-200 up as an NAA but I don't know how to do that.

I have no idea how to set the SOTM as NAA, I use a Sonore instead and I go to sonicorbiter.com to select the NAA instead of Roon.

About HQPlayer getting to work:

As input device I use Alsa
As output your ethernet ipv4

You need to make a choice between PCM and DSD too.
I set the dither to none.

Then when all these settings are done: click on the Play button on the upper left corner and power up the volume button on the upper right corner. And then its working for about 30 minutes, because an additional licence is needed for it.

**nicoff** · June 1, 2021, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

.....

My attempts at using HQPlayer as an output player for Roon so far have not worked. With SOtM SMS-200 UltraNeo network bridge, and I can configure HQPlayer on my local Eunhasu/local web page, but I just can't get output of music. I think I need to set my SOtM SMS-200 up as an NAA but I don't know how to do that.

If you are willing to spend $100 and a little bit of your time, you can build a Roon/HQPlayer endpoint with built-in HQP NAA.
You need a RaspberryPi with a HAT like the HifiBerry Digi+ Pro (total cost about $100 including case and card) and free software (like RoPieee XL).

Step by step instructions for building such device are shown here:
https://codexwilkes.com/downloads/ro...-beginners.pdf

Then you configure the settings in HQP so that on your Output Device Settings the "Backend" is the NAA and the "Device" is the RoPieee XL/Digi-Pro.

You can connect the RPi/HAT to your favorite DAC. And by changing the settings within HQP, you can compare which sound you prefer (NAA vs. other).

**sb6** · June 3, 2021, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by Ricky64

Hi All;

I'm currently running Roon on a nuc with Rock. I use it for multiple systems/speakers (including Sonos) around the house. I have a synology NAS, and stream Qobuz and Tidal.In my main system, I use ethernet into a Mola Mola Tambaqui as the end point.
I've recently introduced some new components into my system, and have been spending more time critically listening. I have been tearing my hair out as sometimes it sounds fantastic, but other times it sounds very bright, with a huge attenuation of bass, sharply dropping off under 110 Hz. Since that time, I've been moving speakers, swapping cables, trying a pre amp in the system, etc.

Last evening, the system was sounding very thin, and devoid of bass. I finally decided to reboot the nuc, and suddenly had full range sound again...

Thus, my system issue is the source. Now, I am questioning the logical steps to remedy. I really would like to stay with Roon, but I am not willing to put up with these variations in sound quality.

Thoughts on next best steps?

Thanks!

System Mola Mola Tambaqui-->Gryphon Essence Stereo Amp-->Focal Utopia Be L&R Monitors.

I

Your speaker choice and lack of a preamp are 2 targets. If it were me I'd likely go with an EtherRegen, add a good preamp and ensure your speakers aren't toed in and aimed at your head.

**nicoff** · June 3, 2021, 07:48 PM

The problem is not the software (Roon); the problem is the hardware (nucleus). The nucleus is not a very powerful machine. It is Roon’s solution for folks who wanted a plug and play device

Yet, it costs almost as much as a full fledge windows PC that has much more processing capabilities.

If folks are having performance issues just running Roon in such devices, don’t even think of running HQP on the same machine and expect a better performance.

**Ricky64** · June 3, 2021, 11:25 PM

@sb6, I agree with you to a point. I will be upgrading the speakers over the next few months. The Mola Mola has output impedence of 44ohms and 6Vrms. The main issue was that I was noticing significant variations in sound quality, along with a dramatic change on one occasion by rebooting my Intel Nuc running ROCK (thus it isn't a preamp or speaker issue specifically). Since then, I've been looking for a different solution to achieve better consistency. Actually, the sound has been consistently good recently. Still, I am hoping to find a more stable solution without abandoning Roon as an interface.

I like the idea of the HQPlayer and Roon, providing I don't have to do too much tinkering. Is using an Innuos as a Core, along with Squeezlite, accomplish the same NAA task, in a more polished product than some of the above suggestions? Mike recommends just moving to Aurender. I may wind up doing this.

**nicoff** · June 4, 2021, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by Ricky64

…
I like the idea of the HQPlayer and Roon, providing I don't have to do too much tinkering. Is using an Innuos as a Core, along with Squeezlite, accomplish the same NAA task, in a more polished product than some of the above suggestions? Mike recommends just moving to Aurender. I may wind up doing this.

Accomplishing the same task and sounding the same are two different things. If you have the right computer setup, you can try both and decide for yourself what sounds best to you.

From my experience, HQP requires some tinkering so if you are looking for a plug and play solution, then the Aurender option would work better for you. That said, AFAIK, the Aurender will not do what HQP can do: it cannot upsample to 512DSD or apply sophisticated FIR filters or apply room correction to your digital signal.

**sb6** · June 4, 2021, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by Ricky64

@sb6, I agree with you to a point. I will be upgrading the speakers over the next few months. The Mola Mola has output impedence of 44ohms and 6Vrms. The main issue was that I was noticing significant variations in sound quality, along with a dramatic change on one occasion by rebooting my Intel Nuc running ROCK (thus it isn't a preamp or speaker issue specifically). Since then, I've been looking for a different solution to achieve better consistency. Actually, the sound has been consistently good recently. Still, I am hoping to find a more stable solution without abandoning Roon as an interface.

I like the idea of the HQPlayer and Roon, providing I don't have to do too much tinkering. Is using an Innuos as a Core, along with Squeezlite, accomplish the same NAA task, in a more polished product than some of the above suggestions? Mike recommends just moving to Aurender. I may wind up doing this.

Apologies, I should have read about your situation more carefully. The variation in quality may be due to the Intel NUC not operating as it should, could be SW and / or HW.

In terms of HQplayer, yes it takes a bit to get it configured but once accomplished it's usually left alone and is very stable. IME HQplayer alone is the best in sound quality and is noticeably better than ROON stand - alone. ROON front end with HQP NAA is a big jump towards HQP alone. Also, you don't necessarily have to upsample with HQP to get excellent sound. I was one who upsampled and played with filters for years but ultimately came to realize that the best sound to my ears was - no filters and no upsampling. I believe it's system - dependent and ultimately personal preference.

**Ricky64** · June 4, 2021, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by sb6

Apologies, I should have read about your situation more carefully. The variation in quality may be due to the Intel NUC not operating as it should, could be SW and / or HW.

In terms of HQplayer, yes it takes a bit to get it configured but once accomplished it's usually left alone and is very stable. IME HQplayer alone is the best in sound quality and is noticeably better than ROON stand - alone. ROON front end with HQP NAA is a big jump towards HQP alone. Also, you don't necessarily have to upsample with HQP to get excellent sound. I was one who upsampled and played with filters for years but ultimately came to realize that the best sound to my ears was - no filters and no upsampling. I believe it's system - dependent and ultimately personal preference.

You are using the Linq to accomplish this?

**sb6** · June 5, 2021, 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by Ricky64

You are using the Linq to accomplish this?

Yes, the LinQ has the back - end NAA module installed, my Music server has the HQP front end installed and ROON server and I access ROON via a tablet. I can play ROON + HQP NAA or HQPlayer solo which is installed on a RAM disk and while paying songs also cached in memory is incredibly good IMO.

**crwilli** · June 5, 2021, 06:44 AM

I think this would also add the backend NAA capability. Pricey.
Sonore - Signature Series Power Supply

**sb6** · June 5, 2021, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by crwilli

I think this would also add the backend NAA capability. Pricey.
Sonore - Signature Series Power Supply

That's a very good PSU. I used it with a SOTM ultra neo and I can tell you that it comes pretty darn close to the Aqua LinQ.

**Ricky64** · June 5, 2021, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by crwilli

I think this would also add the backend NAA capability. Pricey.
Sonore - Signature Series Power Supply

That is an impressive unit. Seems like a Swiss Army knife of sorts. Covers all the bases, but also likely has a number of features I would never use. I feel the price is competitive, looking at other options that are similar.

**nicoff** · June 6, 2021, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by crwilli

I think this would also add the backend NAA capability. Pricey.
Sonore - Signature Series Power Supply

Looking at the capabilities of this unit, it occurred to me that this is very similar to what a Raspberry Pi with a HAT and proper software can do, except that this unit is plug-and-play.

Of course, there is a huge price difference ($100 plus your own time to build it, versus $4k). In both cases you still need a separate DAC.

**Ricky64** · July 30, 2021, 10:51 PM

So, an update here...
I've continued to have variable sound quality from my i5 Nuc running Core, along with quite a bit of lag.
One statement I've heard repeatedly is that yes, "out of the box", Roon does have inferior sound quality. However, with tweaking, it can made equal to other sources.
I've heard a number of different recs...
-Any core computer, put through Sonore optical conversion with LPS then USB to DAC
-Roon nucleus through Auralic or Lumin Streamer. (+/- LPS to nucleus)
-Grimm MU1
-Aqua Linq
-Nucleus through Innuos Phoenix USB to DAC

All of the above, along with LPS's, Better Ethernet switches, etc.

Since my Nuc wasn't behaving anyway, I purchased a new Nuc+ through Upscale, which has a generous 60d return. I assume I will be keeping this regardless, as I have other systems using Roon in the household.

Fascinating, putting this piece in completely changed the sound in the opposite direction, with very a thick, rich quality. Same power, cabling (crappy for now), etc. Very much lacking in sparkle, detail, spatial cues.

Everything makes a difference. All of this makes me understand why a dealer would prefer something like Aurender, which has plug and play good sound without all of the variables.
I think I will try to audition, or purchase, the Linq, Phoenix, and Grimm to make a comparison.

Upscale was pretty high on using a Lumin U1 as an endpoint, with AES into a dac... I wish the U1 wasn't a 5 year old platform, and came with the X1 power supply at its price.

**wklie** · July 30, 2021, 11:21 PM

Two of the brands you listed are not Roon Ready, so check compatibility with your setup before you pay for anything.

6moons specifically tested Lumin U1 with Mola Mola Tambaqui.

I'd also recommend you check Roon forum for experiences with the various brands.

**Ricky64** · July 30, 2021, 11:39 PM

Thanks Peter.
The Linq clearly works as an HQPlayer core and NAA. This is its beauty....
The Phoenix doesn't act as an endpoint...

**wklie** · July 30, 2021, 11:45 PM

If you are determined to use HQPlayer, then the compatibility requirement totally changes.

**Ricky64** · July 30, 2021, 11:50 PM

I'm determined to have better sound (and Roon interface), in the fewest number of boxes possible!!
(HQP optional)

**wklie** · July 31, 2021, 12:42 AM

Because HQPlayer changes the hardware setup requirements, I really think you need to determine whether you want to use HQPlayer or not first, then choose your setup around it.

There are some DAC architectures that inherently benefit from HQPlayer upsampling, some less so. Mola Mola Tambaqui upsamples everything to 3.125MHz and some forum reports put it in the latter group. However, everyone's preferences are different. If you don't mind using HQPlayer (implying the extra hardware you'd need for it), you should do a HQPlayer trial to determine whether it is beneficial to your DAC for your tastes. If yes, then go ahead to buy a NAA streamer (that excludes Lumin at this time). If not, you'd need a Roon Ready streamer or other ways of network isolation.

**BlueFox** · July 31, 2021, 12:58 AM

I can’t believe how many hoops one needs to jump through just to play a song off the Internet. I guess I am lazy, but I will stick with tunes from HDTracks.

**wklie** · July 31, 2021, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by BlueFox

I can’t believe how many hoops one needs to jump through just to play a song off the Internet. I guess I am lazy, but I will stick with tunes from HDTracks.

Time to try Tidal Connect - get a Tidal free trial (if there is for your country) account. Install Tidal app on your mobile devices, granting all permissions when asked. Login. Play some music. Tap the speaker icon, then choose Lumin X1. It cannot get easier.

**numcwrt2** · August 1, 2021, 08:04 PM

@Ricky64 Looks like you've got yourself a new pair of mighty fine Rockports! Any chance they just need to be broken in a bit?

**sb6** · August 1, 2021, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by wklie

Because HQPlayer changes the hardware setup requirements, I really think you need to determine whether you want to use HQPlayer or not first, then choose your setup around it.

There are some DAC architectures that inherently benefit from HQPlayer upsampling, some less so. Mola Mola Tambaqui upsamples everything to 3.125MHz and some forum reports put it in the latter group. However, everyone's preferences are different. If you don't mind using HQPlayer (implying the extra hardware you'd need for it), you should do a HQPlayer trial to determine whether it is beneficial to your DAC for your tastes. If yes, then go ahead to buy a NAA streamer (that excludes Lumin at this time). If not, you'd need a Roon Ready streamer or other ways of network isolation.

IME you don't need to employ HQP's upsampling / filtering to capitalize on its inherent neutrality and clarity.

**Ricky64** · August 1, 2021, 09:47 PM

Sooo... An interesting footnote, and likely conclusion to all of this. To go back to the start, I had marked attenuation of bass frequencies less than 120 Hz. This was occuring as I was rebuilding my system and introducing new components, which confused the picture. The intel i5 nuc was indeed the issue. I put in a Roon nucleus last Friday. For 24 hours, it sounded like the tweeters had been disconnected. Saturday afternoon, everything snapped into place. I am getting pretty fantastic sound with just the Nucleus +. No longer interested in the Grimm.
I will likely pursue some network isolation, but not feeling great urgency at the moment. Leaning toward a Sonore Ultrarendu Sig with optical, and running in optical ethernet.
But, I am getting excellent tonal quality, dynamics, and imaging (Essence and Tambaqui combine for amazing depth), with just the nucleus +, which I wasn't expecting...
Might play with HQP some point down the line... May still try the Aqua Linq at some point.
The i5 Nuc was likely about 4 years old, and initially sounded good. I can't really account for what caused the change. But, I can say it wasn't powerline or network noise.

**brad225** · August 3, 2021, 09:24 PM

Good to hear you got things worked out Ricky.

**Ricky64** · August 27, 2021, 01:24 PM

Just as an update. I have a Grimm MU1 headed my way to audition. I will be running into a Mola Mola Tambaqui, and using the MU1 for volume control. An IR remote will be available for it soon. It runs around 10K, and can doesn't need an external Roon Core.

**Ricky64** · September 18, 2021, 02:42 PM

Just to close out this topic. I've purchased the Grimm MU1. I have some concerns about it... pretty small company, pictures of the internals are very unimpressive, and very expensive. The pros...it sounds great, it's simple, and it works. It has the exact feature set I was looking for... Roon interface, non Roon digital handling, manual and remote volume and input control, likely an upgrade path to an internal DAC, and it functions simply and well.
I am getting very uniform sound, and it is better than out of the Roon Nucleus + (less glare on midrange vocals and instruments, better dynamics, definition, and imaging).
I borrowed an Innuos Phoenix Net and put before the Grimm, and did not hear much of a difference. Also, I put the Phoenix Net between the Nucleus + and Tambaqui Dac, and didn't get a significant bump to prefer it over the Grimm unit.

Thread: Variable Roon Sound Quality