mep
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The N10 converts DSD to PCM or does it do native DSD at only DSD 64?
Roon Endpoint DACs
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The N10 converts DSD to PCM or does it do native DSD at only DSD 64?
audio.bill
Active member
The Aurender N10 has the ability to convert DSD to PCM (by FPGA) for PCM only DACs, but it also supports up to DSD64 via SPDIF or up to DSD128 via USB output. I believe it also provides the option to output DSD as either DoP or native DSD. (I'm sure someone will correct me on that if incorrect! :S)
TheOctopus
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Many claim hearing better sound quality by using a dedicated Roon core device such a NUK or this new Roon Nucleus. I do not have the slightest idea why that would be if one is using a good enough computer with a fast enough processor and enough memory so that it is not bogged down by DSP in Roon (if used) and by background applications, etc... None the less, that is what many claim and I don't have a reason to doubt the experienced listeners I have heard this from. I just don't have enough understanding of computers to even begin to figure out why a processor barely cruising along at 3% in a good quality desktop computer would somehow be inferior to a NUK or Nucleus.
Agreed. COULD be fanless, better power supplies, dedicated to just one task, all SS design?
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Mike, what is the difference between Nucleus and Nucleus+ ? If you are using the USB output to the DAC, make sure you get a quality 12-19v power supply and its going to make all the difference
Nucleus
i3 processor
4GB RAM
64GB OS SSD (for buffering)
Store libraries up to 12,000 albums (120,000 tracks)
Multi-room systems up to five zones
Gigabit ethernet
2x USB 3.0 port
Thunderbolt 3
Internal 2.5″ HDD/SSD bay
$1398
Nucleus+
i7 processor
8GB RAM
128GB OS SSD (for buffering)
Store libraries OVER 12,000 albums (120,000 tracks)
Multi-room systems OVER five zones
Gigabit ethernet
2x USB 3.0 port
Thunderbolt 3
Internal 2.5″ HDD/SSD bay
$2498
Yes, among other things. I went for the + (of course!)
Yeah, I think they were able to successfully carve out a fanless chassis for the i7. There is none after market case at this point for an i7 NUC.
What are you powering it with ? Are you going straight to the DAC ?
still-one
Active member
Units like this are not directly connected to a DAC. You connect both your DAC and the Nucleus to your network. My DAC is in my two channel room while my Roon device is on another floor some distance away both connected to my router via ethernet. IMHO ethernet it the best connection.
That is one use case. The other use case is for non-Ethernet based DACs. Therefore, for non-ethernet based DAC will use a streamer in between (like a uR or Sotm sms200) if they think the Nucleus does not perform best connected directly.
I have two home grown custom fanless PC and both runs ROCK (the same OS that runs on Nucleus), they are connected via Ethernet - while one runs up-sampling, the other acts as streamer connected straight to the DAC.
With Nucleus, once you have a top class power supply and assuming you are not using the Roon's DSP functions, it has the potential to be connected straight to the DAC with high-end SQ - it might not beat an Antipode DX but can come close.
still-one
Active member
Ethernet DAC's such as MSB & dCS are the SOA. I couldn't wait for the long delayed release of the Nucleus and after comparing Windows NUC's to the Linux sonicTransporter I went with the later. Very happy with the built in SS drive.
Yes, sonic transporter is a great h/w for Roon core server and will perform at par with the Nucleus. The sonicTransporter i5 is basically a NUC in a fanless case. The Nucleus is a great turn-key solution for Roon users that doesn't want to delve into the intricacies of building a pc.
i like nucleus. it is well configured and plug-n-play... what could be easier for those looking for a dedicated roon server?
as mentioned earlier it is possible to build a DIY roon server. this is a lower cost alternative for those willing to do a little upfront work downloading / installing / configuring the roon software.
looking at setting up roon server on a headless mac mini as another route to the same functionality, the cost for a comparable machine looks to be about half the price of a nucleus. below is an example comparable to the nucleus+
mac mini with ssd upgrade:
256gb internal ssd (PCIe = fast)
i5 processor, 2.6GHz (upgradable to i7 @ $300)
8gb ram (upgradable to 16GB @ $200)
I/O:
- LAN x 1, HDMI x 1, USB-3 x 4, thunderbolt x 2
- 3.5mm audio in (digital + analogue) + 3.5mm audio out (digital + analogue)
- SDXC card slot
$899 ($1,199 w/ i7 processor and 16GB memory upgrades)
CPP
Active member
TheOctopus
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I've also seen it more than a few times people mentioning switching to a NUK was an audible improvement over using Mac Mini. I can't confirm that fact, I am still using my PC for the Roon Core, just repeating what I heard time and time again.
What Roon Core does in the Nucleus, is not telling the NAS what music to play, in fact the NAS in this case does not process music since it does not have any Music Server (Mininserver, Twonky, jRiver ..... or Roon Core if can support it)
The process is really like this: the digital misic signal goes from NAS to Nucleus, there it is processed by Roon Core and sent to the DAC Roon Ready through the RAAT protocol
shadowlight
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Does Nucleus include Roon Core license?