jcn3

wouldn't it be advantageous to go endpoint > usb to fiber converter > fiber > sfp port on switch? that would leave out a couple of power supplies at least.

i would only use a NAS as a media server (minimserver, roon core, etc.), not as a player.

the idea is that by having the player isolated via the optical cable any noise upstream would be eliminated before it hits the player.

I'm pretty sure the ST is made from off the shelf parts - It's not purpose built in that sense. That's why it is priced so reasonably. The software is custom, but is based on Linux.

i think you'll find that you can't really do it for much cheaper -- nuc, case, memory, drive. you also get their software that isn't sold separately. finally, the people that run small green computer are real stand-up people and are there for support. imo, you build one yourself because it's more fun, not necessarily to save money.

i agree that AL seems to provide the optimal benefit at the server -- in comparison with ROCK, AL is much better. at the endpoint, i'm struggling much more -- the detail with AL is nice, but in my system it just seems lacking in the lower registers. i've just switched back (again) to win10/ao/fidelizer/dirac -- it's more involving to me.

fyi -- i have these fmcs and use one to connect my endpoint (a nuc) to an sfp port on my switch. you just need to get a fiber cable like this to work with the lc sfp module.

Easiest thing to do is just maximize the window -- then you'll see a full list of options. If you don't want to do that, then just arrow down. Since I run in RAM, before I make changes and to ensure they're saved, I get out of RAMROOT first: * Disable RAMROOT * Reboot * Make changes * Reboot * Enable RAMROOT Not sure about the IRQ part -- I didn't enable that. My NUC has just two cores, so I allocate one to audio processes. I set everything to Extreme (vs Extreme2) -- that sounds good to me.

@Boomboy - It's under the configuration menu near the bottom - scroll down or expand your window to see it

@bobfa -- just realized your boot issues were more complicated and associated with your server build. my comment clearly added no value!

i also had no problems booting from usb stick, and loading to ram while running roon server. used 32g stick and my nuc has 16g of ram.

wow, two in a row. i guess i need to work more and listen less! again, thanks to roon radio. anyway, wonderfully beautiful, simple duo. fabulous recording.

very nice jazz trio album -- just found on tidal (thank you roon radio)!

@randyhat - I'm a big fan of Netgear switches -- I've found them completely reliable and essentially indestructible. Look at getting a GS108 or a GS116. There's no need to get a managed switch unless you need one.

one thing that seems to have (more or less) universal agreement is that you need to make sure you minimize (non-musical) noise from your signal chain. there are a lot of ways to do that (which you'll see on many threads), but high quality power supplies seem to be always a part of good solutions. to that end, if you've got a mytek dac, i'd try to have my upstream components be a noise-free as possible. i wouldn't do the nvidia shield and then add stuff after it -- better to get it right from the start. for $500, a bluesound node 2 is a good device and is broadly respected. another option would be to get a intel NUC7CJYH ($130), a fanless case ($100), 8g of RAM ($100), and a decent power supply (teradak, $175), audiolinux ($49), and a 16g usb stick (not much). for a little over $500, you can can a good sounding, flexible source (runs roon, hqp, lms, mpd). check out this thread for how to set up audiolinux.