Help! Choosing a Roon core/streamer/server! (Roon vs Innuos vs Wyred4Sound)


Hi,
I have gone down the rabbit hole, changed my thinking many times, and have arrived at 3 choices: Roon Nucleus, Innuos Zen MkIII, or Wyred4Sound MS. I was once all set on an Aurender N100, but have decided I want Roon as an option.

I use Tidal and Amazon HD music, and want to rip my 800 CD collection.

I once didn't want Roon because I had/have ZERO interest in running the Core on a PC. Now, with these 3 choices, they run as both the Core and a server--a one box solution, which is what I really want. I've watched the Darko videos on the Innuos and Wyred units and he likes both.

ROON Nucleus ($1400) (Nucleus+ is much more $$, but has SSD I think)
Advantages: Price ($1400), and I can add either an HDD or SSD drive.
Disadvantages: It is Roon only and I am locked in to that app/OS. Can add ripper drive but it's not built in and not sure if ripping is easy.

INNUOS Zen MkIII ($2700, or so)
Advantages: Has the ripper built in (huge, for me) and ripping is easy. Their software is good and they're coming out with a new killer version, is the rumor, so if you don't want Roon you have an alternative. I'm reading that it sounds better than the Nucleus.
Disadvantages: Over $1000 more expensive than the Nucleus. HDD internal drive is standard, no option for SSD.

WYRED4SOUND:
Advantages: Can get it with 1 or 2TD SSD drive. Can run using it as a non-Roon server. Also has ripper built in. Made in US, with 3 year warranty!
Disadvantages: Most expensive. $3350 w/2TB SSD.

Thanks... any input is appreciated. PD

Innuos  http://www.innuos.com/en/catalog/go/zen-mk3-1tb-hdd-black
ROON https://roonlabs.com/nucleus
Wyred https://wyred4sound.com/products/music-servers/ms



128x128patrickdowns
+1 tubertist

I am using SmallGreenComputer sonicTransporter i5 as Roon core, and Sonore opticalRendu as Roon-ready streamer and network player. In my system, it was a significant jump in SQ going from BlueNode 2i to this setup.
Cross Innuos off the list if Amazon music is a requirement, only Tidal, Spotify and Qobuz at the moment.
Apparently Amazon doesn't play well with others... I've been told that they require devices to work with Alexa if they want Amazon Music HD integrated. Frustrating. 
We have a better solution an 432 evo aeon hi is a better sounding server then aninnouus and the aeon has a super clock ultra low jirtter usb output built in for 6k rhis setup is similar to an innous statement but way cheaper

432 evo is the hottest server company in euope europe and are quickley outpacing innou

https://432evo.be/index.php/432-evo-aeon-music-server/
https://432evo.be/index.php/2020/05/22/hi-fi-choice-recommended-components-award-432-evo-aeon-ed-sel...
it’s also the best USB source I’ve tested to now…”

The summary of the review:
It’s hard not to admire the dedication shown in the design of the Aeon to do something different and to do it as well as it can be reasonably done.

What makes it for me as a package is that 432 EVO hasn’t lost sight of all the basics that a network storage device needs to perform in the pursuit
of making its brainchild work. This is a stable, silent and very flexible music server that is more than up to the task of supporting a household

Infact wewere s. Imprespressed wilh the432 evo servers we ditched innous and became 432 evos us distributor

https://www.facebook.com/432evo/



Here are the reasons we picked up the server line and dropped innous

Fsntastic sound quality

Upgradable models with better sound quality

Different plug ins and filters to tune the sound

2tb hd standard vs most others use a 1tb standard

Us based service and support

Competitive pricing.

Dave and troy
Audio intellect Nj
Us importer 432 evo servers
@audiotroy I am curious, why would adding the 432 evo necessitate  you dropping Innuos? Wouldn't it be advantageous for your store to provide more options for your customers?