Roon Hardware Question

[Arcus]

I just started a Roon trial and I'm impressed so far. Having said that, it got me thinking about my current connection and how I could improve it. My current set-up is the following:

 

Drobo NAS (ALAC)>Roon (Mac Mini)>Logitech Transporter (via wifi)>Yggdrasil dac>Coincident Turbo integrated tube amp

 

In the above the Transporter is just serving as a transport but it's useful because I don't have ethernet in that room. I was reading about the MicroRendu but that doesn't seem to be an option for me due to lack of ethernet in that room. I've also been messing around with a Raspberry PI w/ HIFIBERRY DIGI+ but have been having wifi connection issues so far.

 

Any thoughts and/or suggestions would be welcome.

[Arcus]

The Sotm sms200 has WiFi support.

Thanks, that looks like a really good option!

[Arcus]

I also have a similar set up: Drobo, Roon, and Transporter. I use the Transporter as a transport the same way you do, except that I have it hard-wired (Ethernet).

Please post what you end up with and how the sound compares vs the Transporter. Thanks!

Have you done any comparison testing between wifi vs. ethernet on the Transporter in the current configuration? I'd love to know if there is a noticeable difference as I could conceivably get ethernet to that room but it would be a major hassle so I don't want to tackle it unless the ROI is worth it.

 

Btw, I'm waiting to see more details on the sMS-200 Ultra.

[Arcus]

Thanks for the info. That's consistent with my earlier experiences with the Transporter as well. I had read somewhere that ethernet had superior sound quality to wifi so I was curious. I haven't had any issues so far running Roon via wifi but my core is connected via ethernet and my library has only 15K ALAC tracks.

[Arcus]

You can connect MicroRendu to a wireless access point. From the AP you do the Ethernet cable.

How to Configure TP-Link N router as a wireless Access Point? - TP-Link

 

Thanks for the info. Another very good option to consider.

[Arcus]

Might I suggest you also check the Roon forums. These issues are often discussed there. It seems that other people have had success with the Pi. You might want to peruse their posts or ask for advice there, as well.

 

Yes, I have checked the Roon forums along with many other forums, including the Hifiberry forum, and have tried many different recommended changes with no luck. It works fine w/ ethernet so I think I'll just use it in another room.

[Arcus]

Fair enough. Just thought I'd suggest it, in case you hadn't. I'm about to head back to Canada, where I'm going to try the Pi route for use as an endpoint for other purposes. I'm likely to connect it with Ethernet, though. If it works, I'll bring a couple of Pis back to Brasil with me and use them here.

FYI, I've had no issues with the Pi using ethernet and I've tried a bunch of different audio and video applications.

[Arcus]

Thanks guys!

 

Just to clarify, the Transporter is working via wifi w/ Roon. I noticed a couple of glitches when trying to skip to the next song but not sure if that is a bandwidth or software issue.

 

My main goal is to see if there is a good upgrade from the Transporter and it sounds like either the microRendu or sMS-200 would be a good way for me to go. I learned that the sMS-200 supports a USB wifi dongle but I suspect I'll either need to create the access point or figure out how to get ethernet in that room if I want to start looking artist's up via Roon on a tablet while playing music.

[Arcus]

I have been using the iPhone app but haven't used anything with a larger screen yet. I'm thinking this would put more demand on the network but we'll see shortly.

[Arcus]

Or later start experimenting with bridging on a MAC mini or any other computer when he got the MicroRendu http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f10-music-servers/novel-way-massively-improve-sq-sms-200-and-microrendu-31110/

I've been reading about this and it sounds easy enough although I wonder if the sonic improvement would be as noticeable w/o upgrading the power supplies for the Mac Mini, modem/router and I guess my NAS as well which would be quite expensive. I also wonder if the improvement would be lost if I then went from the sMS-200 or MicroRendu to my DAC via wifi. On that note, I also noticed that romaz modified his Mac Mini with the Uptone Audio MMK so perhaps a SONICTRANSPORTER I5 would be a better way to go. Like you said, the options are almost endless.

[Arcus]

I've been thinking, and since you're already have Roon on your MAC, my advice (in addition to get the Ethernet done ) is to purchase a MicroRendu (or similar) powered by the LPS-1

I would consider this as a very low risk, and if you for any reason is not happy, it should be possible to sell the items at almost full price.

Yes, I agree. The first thing I'm going to see if I can find a non-destructive way to get ethernet to that room. Once I get that sorted, I'll get the LPS-1 and either the MicroRendu or sMS-200. On that note, my understanding is the sMS-200Ultra will be around $1200USD so that's not a realistic option for me.

[Arcus]

Well, I couldn't get internet into that room w/o turning it into a big project so I just ordered the Netgear Orbi as that will give me more than enough ethernet ports in the music room. It should also improve wifi range in the 2nd floor which helps justify the cost.

[Arcus]

Just if you don't know, that Pi can serve as a Roon endpoint.

I couldn't get the Pi working via wifi (there is no end to threads discussing solutions to this problem). I even bought a 2nd wifi dongle that was recommended. After spending a bunch of hours messing around with .config and loads of other things, I gave up on that and will use it as a Roon endpoint in another room where there is ethernet.

[Arcus]

Yes, I meant with your new ethernet solution [emoji3]

Sorry, missed that part! Yes, once I get the Orbi set-up, I'll definitely use it until I get something better.

[Arcus]

UPDATE: Netgear ORBI works really well so I now have both the Transporter and Hifiberry connected to ethernet from the ORBI satellite.

 

I've also ordered the LPS-1 since it will take 2-3 weeks to get it. Not sure whether to get the MicroRendu or sMS-200 next.

[Arcus]

So now; that Pi also works with Roon Brigde, and USB into you Schiit DAC ?

Can the LPS-1 power your Pi ? I think so. You only need to transform it that 2,1 mm into a mini USB plug.

 

[ATTACH]34143[/ATTACH]

 

If so, and this is better SQ than your Transporter, you should probably consider the new ISO regen, that is not available yet.

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f27-uptone-audio-sponsored/iso-regen-31769/

 

This as an option to the MicroRendu or sms-200.

 

(You can still exchange the Pi with another endpoint and use the ISO regen)

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Computer Audiophile

 

Thanks for the info! I'm currently using coax to go from the hifiberry to the dac. Schiit recommends either AES or coax/optical to get the best result from the the Yggdrasil. Having said that, I'm not sure it makes sense to switch to USB.

[Arcus]

from what i've read, the usb out is pretty noisy, so would take some of the typical isolators/reclockers/regens. for the price, most comments seem to say that an rpi3/digi+ with moode is pretty though to beat for the price.

 

haven't heard a pi though . . . .

Yes, I've read the same for the pi which was why I bought the Digi+ board.

An sMS-200 or microRendu w/ AES would seem to be the ideal solution for the Yggdrasil but since that doesn't exist I need to decide if its even worth getting one of those when the Yggdrasil doesn't work best with USB input. I read about the Singxer F1 and that could be a good option but that's another $200 USD.

Perhaps I should just use the LPS-1 with the Hifiberry for now.

[Arcus]

the digi+ pro version allows the addition of an xlr jack -- have to pull out your solding iron and go at it yourself, though.

 

i've been dying to know how an rpi3/digi+ pro combo sounds. with an lps-1, i bet it's pretty sweet.

 

Nice, I didn't realize that was an option. I have an rpi2 w/ the digi+ transformer version (pro didn't exist at that time) but I could use another rpi so maybe I should get an rpi3 and this digi+ pro version w/ the bnc.

[Arcus]

I have that F1, but I have because my Theta Generation VIII doesn't have USB.

 

And I can't see what that F1 would add in your setup, unless you're planning some i2s interface diy. Or maybe that require the SU-1 [emoji3]

 

I think trust your ears. Reviews of Yggi is 2 years old. And much happen since then. That USB may not be bad, and now you have the option to test it.

You could even start with a Jitterbug. (I have that too).

 

I have strong believe in the new ISO regen, and if it doesn't work in your setup, it would be very easy to sell.

 

Remember to purchase a Y-split DC cable as well to your LPS-1.

 

If your budget allows, you could of cause go direct to a Auralic Aries with femto clock [emoji3]

Direct from Ethernet to AES\EBU.

The Yggdrasil USB isn't as good from what I've read. Quite a few people would like them to offer an upgrade.

 

In any case, it would be interesting to try the ISO regen. I'm sure it will be good and not too expensive.

 

The Auralic Aries isn't in the budget that's for sure.

[Arcus]

I've been thinking about this some more and I've decided I really do like using the Logitech Transporter as a transport (via ethernet) and I'm going to stick with the Mac Mini/NAS combo as the ROON or LMS server for now.

 

Having said that, the question now is what's the best way to feed the Yggdrasil to get maximum quality?

- Transporter goes to Yggdrasil via AES (current set-up)

- Transporter goes to ISO REGEN (powered by LPS-1) and then to Yggdrasil (obviously, this solution would need to wait for the release of the ISO REGEN)

- Transporter goes to sMS-200 or microRendu (powered by LPS-1) which then goes to Yggdrasil (maybe add ISO REGEN when it ships???)

 

Future upgrade:

JS-2 for Mac Mini

 

Any thoughts?

[Arcus]

Yes, I ordered the LPS-1 and should have it by the end of next week so I can connect it to the RPi/Hifiberry and see how that sounds.

 

I don't think the ISO REGEN will be available for a while so I may see if I can get a used sMS-200 or MicroRendu and compare that to both the Transporter & RPi.

[Arcus]

The HiFiBerry board comes with TOSLink and RCA (BNC can be added for the Pro version) so, unless I'm missing something, there's no benefit from having that board if you use USB. Having said that, I think an RPi3 with the ISO REGEN and LPS-1 might be a really good combo!

[Arcus]

I've decided to go in a different direction and order the KEF LS50 wireless speakers. I think I'll continue to use my Logitech Transporter w/ roon as I like being able to see the display and because I don't feel I'll lose any quality if I connect Transporter USB output to the upcoming ISO Regen w/ LPS-1 and have that connected to the LS50's. Does that make sense or am I misreading the ISO Regen's function?

[Arcus]

54 minutes ago, daverich4 said:

 

The Transporter doesn't have USB output. Or input. 

LOL. You're right! I just assumed it did since it has everything else. Oh well, that changes things a little. I guess I'll try optical from both the Transporter and the Hifiberry w/ LPS-1 and see how that sounds. I wonder if an sMS-200/ISO Regen would be better?

[Arcus]

1 minute ago, R1200CL said:

So have you purchased the speakers ?

Yes, they are on order. No dealer here wants to show or stock active speakers so I have to wait a week or two to get them.