Roon Endpoint DACs
- Thread starter Alpinist
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Dr Tone
Banned
Does either of the Nucleus stream Tidal and such or does one need another device? If your Nuleus has a HD what options are there for getting your CD's onto it?
Good thread, but man, it's Greek to me
Yes Roon has the ability to stream Tidal.
https://kb.roonlabs.com/Nucleus_Internal_Storage
4N6
New member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2016
- Messages
- 189
Mike,
Isn't there an optional linear power supply that can come with this? If so, what is the cost?
Also, if I wanted to have a 2-4TB SSD installed, is that something you can do, or is that up to me?
Thanks!
Official Roon LPS is scheduled for late 2018.
Sbooster should work, but note:
1. It may be coming out with a MK II version
2. For the i7 Nucleus+ - I've not seen official TDP of it, but I suspect it may be a little too tight for the 36W limit of the current version of Sbooster
Sbooster should work, but note:
1. It may be coming out with a MK II version
2. For the i7 Nucleus+ - I've not seen official TDP of it, but I suspect it may be a little too tight for the 36W limit of the current version of Sbooster
Quick update - SBooster says their PSU will only work with the Nucleus (i3) and not the Nucleus +(i7). So, I talked to the guys at Roon and they recommended:
https://www.sotm-audio.com/sotmwp/english/portfolio-item/sps-500/
https://www.sotm-audio.com/sotmwp/english/portfolio-item/sps-500/
The simple answer is that this is not a suitable setup:
1. To my knowledge, it's currently not possible to run HQPlayer on Nucleus(+) or ROCK
2. If you get a T+A DAC and want to use it with DSD512 upsampling, you will have to use Windows, definitely not any Linux-based OS such as ROCK or Roon OS for Nucleus. See https://community.roonlabs.com/t/da...128-when-it-wil-go-to-dsd512l/40693/4?u=wklie
Randy Myers
Well-known member
Exactly.... Linux and Mac based system are capped at DSD128 because they both use DoP as the transport to the DAC. The only way of achieving DSD256 or DSD512 is a Windows based server/computer. And the more power the better for HQ Player.
I am really liking my T+A DAC8 DSD. Of course still getting used to it, but up-sampling everything to DSD512 and using base clock of 48 is simply stunning... 24.6 (or as T+A shows, 24M6).
The Roon Nucleus servers simply cannot do DSD512, and honestly I do not believe they can run HQ Player. Most purpose built music servers cannot. You need to be able to install and control your own software and most of these systems are designed for simplicity and do not allow for this. It really is a function that is reserved to computers that are custom built for utilization as music servers.
I am really liking my T+A DAC8 DSD. Of course still getting used to it, but up-sampling everything to DSD512 and using base clock of 48 is simply stunning... 24.6 (or as T+A shows, 24M6).
The Roon Nucleus servers simply cannot do DSD512, and honestly I do not believe they can run HQ Player. Most purpose built music servers cannot. You need to be able to install and control your own software and most of these systems are designed for simplicity and do not allow for this. It really is a function that is reserved to computers that are custom built for utilization as music servers.
I believe it does, but only to Roon Ready devices or, if directly connected, some DAC that is supported by Linux native DSD - T+A not included.
CPP
Active member
Randy I think from what I read, HQPLAYER will work on a Rock and Nucleus "" https://kb.roonlabs.com/Migration " read on down to Audio
"Network audio devices (such as RoonReady devices, RoonBridge, Squeezebox, HQPlayer, etc) will work without any further changes after restoring. "
I think DSD512 is another story mostly dependent on the users PC and its power when working with HQPLAYER. https://community.roonlabs.com/t/not-able-to-get-all-filters-to-play-at-dsd512/14963
https://kb.roonlabs.com/HQPlayer_Setup
Randy Myers
Well-known member
HQ Player requires some type of manner of controlling and configuring it. Most of these pre-built dedicated music servers do not allow end users to install their own software. I know some include a HQ Player "lite" version that require being configured from another computer remotely connected. Therefore, it may work on some (never tried it on a Nucleus), but it certainly is not an ideal environment to run HQ Player.
My belief is that on these types of units, because they are not designed specifically for this type of function and plus they do not have the power to actually run HQ Player efficiently, is that if you are using this type of server you should stick with Roon up-sampling. If you truly want to run HQ Player you should use a much more powerful dedicated Windows machine.
Also, Nucleus and other of these types of servers (W4S, etc.) run a Linux based OS, which like Mac, is limited to a DoP transport and therefore is capped at DSD128. Again, DSD256 and DSD512 require Native DSD drivers. Therefore they require Windows.
My belief is that on these types of units, because they are not designed specifically for this type of function and plus they do not have the power to actually run HQ Player efficiently, is that if you are using this type of server you should stick with Roon up-sampling. If you truly want to run HQ Player you should use a much more powerful dedicated Windows machine.
Also, Nucleus and other of these types of servers (W4S, etc.) run a Linux based OS, which like Mac, is limited to a DoP transport and therefore is capped at DSD128. Again, DSD256 and DSD512 require Native DSD drivers. Therefore they require Windows.
CPP
Active member
Just give me a custom built PC and I can then do anything I want and run any audio player software I want.
Randy Myers
Well-known member
Exactly... to both 
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CPP
Active member
10-4 thank you Peter
I run ROCK and up-sample everything to Native DSD256 just fine and have been doing it ever since version Roon 1.3 was released. With Linux and to run Native DSD, the kernel needs to be patched with the appropriate USB controller id. I also have a Singxer SU-1 that can also do native DSD through ROCK. Unfortunately, its not true that _only_ Windows can do native DSD.
I don't have DSD512 DAC, so don't know if it will work or not.
I don't have DSD512 DAC, so don't know if it will work or not.
Attachments
Randy Myers
Well-known member
I have never heard of Linux doing DSD256, but it is not surprising. Being that it is open source it was only a matter of time before someone came up with drivers.... normally Linux does not use drivers, ala why they are normal only DoP.
Here is what mine looks like...
Here is what mine looks like...
ROCK is a closed operating system, there is no way - other than possibly hacking it - to install other software. According to Roon, Roon over ROCK is optimized to run Roon and not meant to play in the same sandbox with other software. A simpler way of looking at it is that ROCK is just a vendor-optimized version of Roon server that runs by itself on a dedicated computer.
As others have said if you want multiple music servers you need to do it on a "normal" PC operating system (windows, Linux).
Also, I connect my NUC running Rock directly to my DAC over USB. I can also play from the Rock server to the Ethernet port on the same DAC just by selecting that input. Very easy to go back and forth. Right now I prefer the USB connection to Ethernet although Ethernet definitely has some advantages, for instance switching which music server I want to use (minimserver etc).
And yes there are things you can/should do to isolate your Ethernet connection from external interference. I'm not convinced about all of them, but I do use FMCs (fiber-to-Ethernet media converters) to (supposedly) isolate the final Ethernet run from the 2nd FMC to the DAC from noise created by the Ethernet switch. And I use a linear power supply (LPS) on the second FMC (the one closer to the DAC). I've also tried direct-connecting (Ethernet) the NUC to my DAC, but I really couldn't hear a difference. The Antipodes CX will support a similar direct-to-DAC Ethernet connection. In theory, seems like a good idea but to me the jury is still out.
Some say use LPS also on the first FMC (seems overkill), on the ROCK server, and on the Ethernet switch. Some say use a purpose-built low-noise audiophile Ethernet switch (seems like we solve that problem with the FMCs). Some say use "Cat8" audiophile Ethernet cables (I don't think CAT8 actually exists as a standard yet, not to say these cables aren't possibly better insulated etc).
As others have said if you want multiple music servers you need to do it on a "normal" PC operating system (windows, Linux).
Also, I connect my NUC running Rock directly to my DAC over USB. I can also play from the Rock server to the Ethernet port on the same DAC just by selecting that input. Very easy to go back and forth. Right now I prefer the USB connection to Ethernet although Ethernet definitely has some advantages, for instance switching which music server I want to use (minimserver etc).
And yes there are things you can/should do to isolate your Ethernet connection from external interference. I'm not convinced about all of them, but I do use FMCs (fiber-to-Ethernet media converters) to (supposedly) isolate the final Ethernet run from the 2nd FMC to the DAC from noise created by the Ethernet switch. And I use a linear power supply (LPS) on the second FMC (the one closer to the DAC). I've also tried direct-connecting (Ethernet) the NUC to my DAC, but I really couldn't hear a difference. The Antipodes CX will support a similar direct-to-DAC Ethernet connection. In theory, seems like a good idea but to me the jury is still out.
Some say use LPS also on the first FMC (seems overkill), on the ROCK server, and on the Ethernet switch. Some say use a purpose-built low-noise audiophile Ethernet switch (seems like we solve that problem with the FMCs). Some say use "Cat8" audiophile Ethernet cables (I don't think CAT8 actually exists as a standard yet, not to say these cables aren't possibly better insulated etc).
still-one
Active member
Small Green Computers has updated their Linux devices to handle HQ Player as far I understand this post.
We now have HQPlayer embedded running on our sonicTransporter line of Roon Servers.
You don’t need any knowledge of Linux or a computer to get it working. You just plug it into your router and go to the web user interface to configure everything.
If you have a sonicTransporter already you need to upgrade to the latest code to be able to install HQPlayer.
Here are the directions to do that
http://sonicorbiter.com/docs/upgrade25 5
Once you update you can install HQPlayer from the software manager. You can then log into the HQplayer GUI and configure it.
Go to sonicobiter.com 1 -> Manage -> Settings -> HQPlayer Embedded You will be give the option to launch the HQPlayer GUI and be given the user name and password (admin:admin) .
Once in the GUI click about and you will be given the code you need to buy a license. Once you have the license key file you can click on key (in the hqplayer web GUI) to upload it.
We now have HQPlayer embedded running on our sonicTransporter line of Roon Servers.
You don’t need any knowledge of Linux or a computer to get it working. You just plug it into your router and go to the web user interface to configure everything.
If you have a sonicTransporter already you need to upgrade to the latest code to be able to install HQPlayer.
Here are the directions to do that
http://sonicorbiter.com/docs/upgrade25 5
Once you update you can install HQPlayer from the software manager. You can then log into the HQplayer GUI and configure it.
Go to sonicobiter.com 1 -> Manage -> Settings -> HQPlayer Embedded You will be give the option to launch the HQPlayer GUI and be given the user name and password (admin:admin) .
Once in the GUI click about and you will be given the code you need to buy a license. Once you have the license key file you can click on key (in the hqplayer web GUI) to upload it.