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Moving Roon from Mini to Nucleus: PITA

The setup is router, Nucleus, Ayre QX-5 (Roon endpoint), and Google MESH node connected to an ethernet switch. The switch indicators are all green; the Nucleus seems to be receiving 1000 mps. When Roon core ran on a 2011 Mini it played to the QX-5 without problem. Now that core runs on the Nucleus it will not enable the QX-5 until its OS is updated to certified. I tried to transfer music files via a 4 TB HD from the Mini to the Nucleus, but core in Nucleus shows it unavailable even though it’s formatted exFAT, so no music files. Finally, core doesn’t find the ultraRendu downstairs that’s served by the MESH network, but that’s likely a network problem. The node, previously connected directly to the router, now is connected to the same switch as the router.

I’ve resorted to spinning discs on the Ayre DX-5 DSD.

db

Ag insider logo xs@2xdbphd
6 responses Add your response
dbtom2
382 posts
 

I can't tell if you've posted this issue to the Roon Community Forum. DBPHD didn't show in my search.

Suggest you log on and ask the question. Plenty of good advice and solutions there.

 

Good luck!

T.

erik_squires
15,643 posts
 

So it seems the QX-5 is not a real Roon endpoint at least at this point, but only UPnP. If you previously had a direct connection between a Mac and your DAC, then the Roon player ran on the Mac. 

An inexpensive but high performing solution for you is to use a Raspberry Pi4 as your player.  Install the latest Ubuntu 20 LTS on it and it will spin up pretty quickly for you. 

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,496 posts
 

Erik got it right.

Deal with it.

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dbphd OP
1,613 posts
 

erik, Roon core ran on a Mini downstairs on a MESH network. The router and QX-5 are upstairs and were connected to a MESH node via Ethernet cable. Both now connect directly to Ethernet. The QX-5 takes in Ethernet and outputs balanced analog. Call it what you will.

A Pi4 needs a DAC. The QX-5 is an excellent DAC. The ultraRendu downstairs uses an Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC, another excellent DAC. The Pi4 would replace the Nucleus, not the QX-5. I suspect the DAC is where the magic happens.

The QX-5 is doing a lengthy OS update now, and I assume once that is complete the QX-5 can be enabled. The Bryston SP3 HDMI has been enabled.

db

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dbphd OP
1,613 posts
 
  • I’m having a problem updating the QX-5 so it’s certified, likely an error in loading the flash drive used to transfer the update. I’ll try to fix tomorrow.
  • HDMI from the Nucleus to a Bryston SP3 that passes balanced analog to an Ayre KX-5 preamp by-pass sounds great. Obviously the SP3 has a high quality DAC.
  • I’ll try a reset of the MESH network tomorrow expecting that will permit Roon to again find the ultraRendu.
  • I discovered that by moving Roon core from the Mini to the Nucleus I was logged out of Roon and Tidal, and the former owner of the Nucleus was logged into Qobuz. I fixed that and my music files were restored.
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dbphd OP
1,613 posts
 

With a lot of help from Ryan at Ayre, Roon is playing via Ethernet to the QX-5 Twenty, and sounds superb. The MESH network is up. I’m a happy camper.

db

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