ROON using a NUC

still-one

still-one

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Are any of you currently running Roon on a NUC? If so what has been your experience? Any issues with set-up or stability?

About a week ago I was discussing what at that time was my set-up. Roon Core running on my MacBook Pro connected wirelessly to my network. I have a USB storage device for CD's and hi-rez files which is also connected to that network and is monitored for changes by Roon. Tidal is accessed thru Roon for both CD quality and MQA titles. Then endpoint was my Meridian 808v6 connected via ethernet to the network. Everything was running very smooth. No drop-outs that others seem to experience. The only time it might hang up is when it is performing a rescan of my files.

The individual indicated that I would get better SQ if my core was hardwired to my network. I explained that there was no way I was wiring my laptop to the network so he suggested I add a NUC to perform the core duties connected via ethernet. Doing a bit of research to looks as if I would also have to add a network switch so I would have sufficient ports. From what I am reading I would have to purchase a keyboard and possibly a mouse to complete the NUC set-up. Haven't had either one of those in the house in 10 years.

Last week I sold my Meridian 808v6 and picked up a dCS Rossini. Now I am impatiently waiting for the final version of MQA for the Rossini, supposedly and day now. I am hoping that their final version runs thru Roon and not just their ap.
 
Yes I've been using one for a number of months now. Excellent and very easy to setup.
 
I just had my Rossini delivered and setup about 10 days back, and my dealer strongly urged me to get a NUC for the ROCK. Easy to buy parts and setup but having a keyboard and monitor likely needed for setup only. After that no need. I could have done it but my dealer did it for me as a courtesy. He mentioned doing it for several clients as his listening showed letting the ROCK do upsampling sounded better with the Rossini. I had not previously used Roon, so I can't speak to wired vs not wired performance, but the ROCK in the closet controlled via my iPad works great, the ROCK connected to the same switch as the Rossini.

I have a 500Gb SSD in the ROCK for music storage, and my NAS has the balance of digital my library. The NAS is in another part of the house, so a couple switches away. All works like a charm, and much better than my prior jRiver / USB Dac configuration.
 
I will be selling the Roon Nucleus. That's what I would get.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
still-one said:
....my set-up. Roon Core running on my MacBook Pro connected wirelessly to my network. ... .
Click to expand...

I too am researching the best way to set up Roon in my system. There are plenty of options where/what to run Roon on, and you wouldn't think synergy has its place regarding computers and their setup in peoples systems but turns out it does: Contrary to most others Roon Core was not good on my MBP and was better running on my network player: Here is my recent thread:

https://community.roonlabs.com/t/sound-cuts-out-above-dsd64-with-exasound-pp/31593
 
watts said:
I too am researching the best way to set up Roon in my system. There are plenty of options where/what to run Roon on, and you wouldn't think synergy has its place regarding computers and their setup in peoples systems but turns out it does: Contrary to most others Roon Core was not good on my MBP and was better running on my network player: Here is my recent thread:

https://community.roonlabs.com/t/sound-cuts-out-above-dsd64-with-exasound-pp/31593
Click to expand...

I browsed that thread. Some good insight.

I won't be worrying about DSP and my MacBook Pro is current an does have 16mb of RAM. With the suggestions of several individuals I have narrowed it down to either a NUC or wait for Roon's soon to be available (?) Nucleus.
 
There are good alternatives to a NUC or a Roon Nucleus (which at the end of the day, IS a NUC). I like the Innuos products, as they have a USB port as well as isolated Ethernet ports, so you can plug your DAC directly to it, not requiring a hub/router.
 
asiufy said:
There are good alternatives to a NUC or a Roon Nucleus (which at the end of the day, IS a NUC). I like the Innuos products, as they have a USB port as well as isolated Ethernet ports, so you can plug your DAC directly to it, not requiring a hub/router.
Click to expand...

I prefer to stick with ethernet when possible.
 
watts said:
Contrary to most others Roon Core was not good on my MBP and was better running on my network player: Here is my recent thread:

https://community.roonlabs.com/t/sound-cuts-out-above-dsd64-with-exasound-pp/31593
Click to expand...

If I understand your thread correctly, this may imply the RFI from the WiFi when you use MacBook Pro is more damaging to SQ than having Roon Core increases the load on your network player. If my theory is correct, if you change your whole audio setup to become wired (and turn off all WiFi if possible), having Roon Core on your MBP should be better than on the network player, as everyone else says.
 
Thanks for the suggestion Peter. I will make some cat6 in appropriate lengths and give it a go this weekend.
 
still-one said:
Are any of you currently running Roon on a NUC? If so what has been your experience? Any issues with set-up or stability?

About a week ago I was discussing what at that time was my set-up. Roon Core running on my MacBook Pro connected wirelessly to my network. I have a USB storage device for CD's and hi-rez files which is also connected to that network and is monitored for changes by Roon. Tidal is accessed thru Roon for both CD quality and MQA titles. Then endpoint was my Meridian 808v6 connected via ethernet to the network. Everything was running very smooth. No drop-outs that others seem to experience. The only time it might hang up is when it is performing a rescan of my files.

The individual indicated that I would get better SQ if my core was hardwired to my network. I explained that there was no way I was wiring my laptop to the network so he suggested I add a NUC to perform the core duties connected via ethernet. Doing a bit of research to looks as if I would also have to add a network switch so I would have sufficient ports. From what I am reading I would have to purchase a keyboard and possibly a mouse to complete the NUC set-up. Haven't had either one of those in the house in 10 years.

Last week I sold my Meridian 808v6 and picked up a dCS Rossini. Now I am impatiently waiting for the final version of MQA for the Rossini, supposedly and day now. I am hoping that their final version runs thru Roon and not just their ap.
Click to expand...

Congrats on your dCS Rossini !!
 
wklie said:
If I understand your thread correctly, this may imply the RFI from the WiFi when you use MacBook Pro is more damaging to SQ than having Roon Core increases the load on your network player. If my theory is correct, if you change your whole audio setup to become wired (and turn off all WiFi if possible), having Roon Core on your MBP should be better than on the network player, as everyone else says.
Click to expand...

Well I'll be... it did make a difference. Plenty of grunge seems to be removed. I have gone back and forth several times and it is very close between DSD 128 on the MacBook and the Playpoint doing DSD 64; too close to call yet. Earlier I thought the MacBook sounded a tad more digital still; that is why I gave it another advantage by going up to DSD128, but now I am not sure...

It is rather baffling as there is wireless everywhere; even using a Roon remote in the form of a tablet or iPhone in the audio room will present some additional RFI, and I thought all the equipment and cabling was shielded sufficiently, but apparently not. Having the network player so close to the DAC would the main enemy I suppose? the magnitude of that wireless signal is just to close to the rest of the equipment? Now I am wondering about wallpapering the room with copper foil...

Sorry to hijack the thread slightly Jim
 
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