Is there a difference in endpoints using Roon?

[Rubytuesday]

Hi all.

I am running a Roon server (Windows 10 machine hard wired with Ethernet and using a synology NAS) that is in a different room than my music room. Currently using an Ethernet connected Bluesound Node 2. (No external DAC).

I am considering upping the endpoint/DAC and started thinking about the options out there. You have the units like Aurender, Lumin and Auralic that may or may not have a built in DAC. Then you have the purpose built units like SoTa and Sonore (which require a DAC).

Let’s assume for a moment you went and bought a decent external DAC. Would you see any real improvement using one of the former streamers over the latter? In other words, is there improvement in sound by getting a more expensive streamer. Or does all the magic happen in the DAC and the streamer doesn’t really make a huge sonic difference? Would the bluesound Node 2 perform as well as all the others with the external DAC?

I know the former units have their own software and their ease of use is a big factor. Does Roon make that no longer relevant?

Thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Dr Tone]

If you have a great DAC all you really need is the simpler sotm or sonore boxes.

Roon certainly removes the need for the boxes supplied software especially if serving your own local music. Other than Tidal as a streaming service, you might then want the box’s software.

 

[MRJAZZ]

Hi all.

I am running a Roon server (Windows 10 machine hard wired with Ethernet and using a synology NAS) that is in a different room than my music room. Currently using an Ethernet connected Bluesound Node 2. (No external DAC).

I am considering upping the endpoint/DAC and started thinking about the options out there. You have the units like Aurender, Lumin and Auralic that may or may not have a built in DAC. Then you have the purpose built units like SoTa and Sonore (which require a DAC).

Let’s assume for a moment you went and bought a decent external DAC. Would you see any real improvement using one of the former streamers over the latter? In other words, is there improvement in sound by getting a more expensive streamer. Or does all the magic happen in the DAC and the streamer doesn’t really make a huge sonic difference? Would the bluesound Node 2 perform as well as all the others with the external DAC?

I know the former units have their own software and their ease of use is a big factor. Does Roon make that no longer relevant?

Thoughts are appreciated.

Try a Elac Discovery (1100.00 MSRP) It is a streamer with a very nice built in Dac, and digital out to run your Dac of choice. It has a life time Roon Essentials license , which allows full Roon control and up to 30,000 tracks to be stored. It also has Tidal streaming and shows both Tidal and your ripped, or downloaded files from a Nas, or connected USB hard drive , together, so you don’t have to switch back and forth (from Tidal, and yout stored Nas/USB hard drive files). The Discovery easily beat a fairly expensive Acer lap top, running Roon via USB or Tidal, or my stored Nas files via J River thru the same lap top. I also have a BlueSound Node 2, and while quite nice (especially for the price point) , it was no where as nice as the Elac Discovery.
Cheers......

 

[wklie]

Or does all the magic happen in the DAC and the streamer doesn’t really make a huge sonic difference?

Most of the Lumin players include DAC section. This is where it makes the most difference in sound quality.

For the other brands you mentioned, one is not Roon Ready. In case you're a Tidal HiFi subscriber, another brand does not have a licensed MQA decoder, yet another is MQA certified but cannot decode MQA when using Roon yet.

Roon mostly makes the vendor-specific software UI irrelevant if you only use Tidal but not other streaming services (Lumin supports Tidal Masters, Qobuz Hi-Res, Spotify Connect), but there is still the issue of regular maintenance of keeping up with RAAT updates, and bug fixes.

If you go with a streamer + DAC solution, you need to make sure the combination works for native DSD, and the architecture can keep up with high sample rates the DAC supports. This is where a single box Roon Ready player usually means less trouble.

 

[Rubytuesday]

Thanks Peter, that is very helpful!