Server Advice for running Roon

[gellie]

Looking to purchase a dedicated server to run Roon and dismount ny external HD from my iMac.
Is there a significant advantage to using Nucleus or SonicTransporter vs a MacMini(with 16Gb of Ran and 2tb SSD I5 chip)? The Mini(used is a fraction of the price of the former.

[skatbelt]

17 minutes ago, gellie said:

Looking to purchase a dedicated server to run Roon and dismount ny external HD from my iMac.
Is there a significant advantage to using Nucleus or SonicTransporter vs a MacMini(with 16Gb of Ran and 2tb SSD I5 chip)? The Mini(used is a fraction of the price of the former.

 

I think this highly depends on the rest of your system. If the server connects directly to your DAC via USB for example, every component will matter (power supply, motherboard, RAM, OS, etc) but if the server is more upstream and before an audiophile switch (like the EtherREGEN) results will become more immune to the level of the server quality. At least in my experience.

[gellie]

Thanks. Current system:

Squeeze Box Touch connected to Oppo 105 via USB feed into Marantz 7005 AVR. Using second zone with Adcom GFA 550. 

 

If I upgrade my streaming I might consider attaching server to it.

[wklie]

The first two are fanless.

[vhs]

On 2/12/2020 at 9:16 PM, skatbelt said:

 

I think this highly depends on the rest of your system. If the server connects directly to your DAC via USB for example, every component will matter (power supply, motherboard, RAM, OS, etc) but if the server is more upstream and before an audiophile switch (like the EtherREGEN) results will become more immune to the level of the server quality. At least in my experience.

 

Agree. I have the same experience too.🙂

[Argonath]

@gellie similar situation for me.

I am looking for alternatives to my Mac Mini (mid 2010) to run Roon Core. But can't find real ones.

Fact is, that I am still buying a lot of CDs (and vynil too, but that's another story) and need a machine capable of ripping cds and run Roon Core.

I consider any Win based solution not a real alternative.

In fact, I am also using iTunes to my sync my music on the smartphone while being compressed, and in this case, iTunes is still the best. Isn't it?

[AudioDoctor]

I am running Roon core on a 2011 Mac mini right now, it sits in a closet and I never have to think about it. However, because it's running Mac OS I know how to interact with it without learning linux or command line commands, etc... I have found that using a good Roon endpoint thats connected to the network, Optical Sonore Signature Rendu SE in my case, greatly reduces the impact of the server on the quality of the music you get out of your system.

 

Specs are a 60GB SSD, 16GB of RAM, and all music on an external HDD

[gellie]

On 3/1/2020 at 2:52 PM, Argonath said:

@gellie similar situation for me.

I am looking for alternatives to my Mac Mini (mid 2010) to run Roon Core. But can't find real ones.

Fact is, that I am still buying a lot of CDs (and vynil too, but that's another story) and need a machine capable of ripping cds and run Roon Core.

I consider any Win based solution not a real alternative.

In fact, I am also using iTunes to my sync my music on the smartphone while being compressed, and in this case, iTunes is still the best. Isn't it?

I made the move away from iTunes. I purchased a Roon Nucleus. I am temporarily using an attached HD to it and its working great. (might make leap and install a 2TB SSD in the Nucleus) I have ripped a few CD to my Mac and dragged them over to the Nucleus pretty easily. You could also attach a CD ripper directly to the Nucleus had it should rip it directly to your library. Oh and also switched from Apple music to Tidal. I guess mid life crisis. LOL

[AudioDoctor]

8 minutes ago, gellie said:

I made the move away from iTunes. I purchased a Roon Nucleus. I am temporarily using an attached HD to it and its working great. (might make leap and install a 2TB SSD in the Nucleus) I have ripped a few CD to my Mac and dragged them over to the Nucleus pretty easily. You could also attach a CD ripper directly to the Nucleus had it should rip it directly to your library. Oh and also switched from Apple music to Tidal. I guess mid life crisis. LOL

 

Give Qobuz a try as well. I, and many others, find it sounds better too.

[gellie]

On the list. Unfortunately need a family plan. If I like Quboz better I’ll get the subscription for me and downgrade the Tidal plan to premium. Kids won’t know the difference. Lol. 

[dminches]

Apple announced that iTunes was being phased out so even if it is the "best," you need an option B.

 

[Argonath]

On 3/2/2020 at 5:10 PM, AudioDoctor said:

I am running Roon core on a 2011 Mac mini right now, it sits in a closet and I never have to think about it. However, because it's running Mac OS I know how to interact with it without learning linux or command line commands, etc... I have found that using a good Roon endpoint thats connected to the network, Optical Sonore Signature Rendu SE in my case, greatly reduces the impact of the server on the quality of the music you get out of your system.

 

Specs are a 60GB SSD, 16GB of RAM, and all music on an external HDD

@AudioDoctor

thanks for the advice. How would I use this Sonore Rendu if as software for library management, I have Roon, and Nucleus as Roon Core? Wouldn't I need in this case only a CD Ripper?

[davide256]

NAS is the better  strategy for media storage. In your shoes I would get a NAS and a server that allowed you to run Roon off an optane disk with Squeezelite enabled

for your  endpoint. Using a server for music storage where storage upgrades are limited or difficult doesn't make sense

[AudioDoctor]

The Sonore rendu devices are not file managers, they are network end points for your files being organized and played by something else, such as Roon.