Roon for high end audio?


I have been listening almost exclusively to CDs but want to start to get into music streaming.  Sound quality is very high on my list, and I am interested in streaming for 2 reasons; broad selection and hopefully better sound.  I am using a dbx Venue 360 with a Jeff Roland Concerto Preamp and Roland Power amp.  I have a Savant system that allows music playback in multiple rooms, controls video etc.  My Savant integrator suggested Roon. Since I am not currently into streaming, I can’t figure out if Roon is the right thing to do.  It seems like a great music server service with the ability to manage very high quality digital files, but the downstream handling of the files and conversion to analog (DAC) seems lacking.  It seems most people are using it for playback in less than audiophile situations, and compatible equipment is very limited.  Quality wise, am I better off with something like Bluenote and a high quality DAC like say, Denafrips?
kingofgix
G-rIng,

I have had an Innuos Zen 3 since Jan 2021 and oddly have had no
email notice about their new software. I bought new from a dealer.

Doubly odd since the two email questions I have sent them were all answered nearly the same day. Emmanuel was the guy I recall.
I will inquire about the particulars at RMAF.

I have Roon but if it is holding me back I can gladly lose it.

FYI the Innuos Zen 3 I have is making me quite happy. I did add the
Uptone Audio Etheregen and that was nice +.


One dealer touting the EVO and surprise surprise he's the US Importer. Sounded more like an ad than anything. 
Roon is compatible with some of the highest end gear in the world.  

There are a variety of approaches that you can take.  It sounds like you want a Roon Server on your network that will work and talk to your Savant system and the DBX Venu360.  These will range in price from about $500 (NUC) to $35K (Taiko).  This is also where you want the most processing power as this is the part of the chain that engages the extremely volatile internet.  

The second part is the Renderer/Player.  This will take the signal from the server and get it ready to be served to the DAC. This does not require a particularly large amount of processing power.  It just needs to be a quiet device.  

Third part is the DAC.  You clearly know what that does.  

You can keep all three parts separate or many devices incorporate two or possibly all three of these features in one box.  The best devices/systems I have heard usually embrace keeping things a bit separated.  It is very common for a great server to serve as server or renderer.  I have a Weiss DAC here that is "Roon Ready" and is a tremendous renderer.  

I would probably start by picking the DAC you really like.  Depending on the DAC you choose, it may (not in all cases) dictate the optimal server/renderer. 

For example, Rockna works best with Rockna servers.  The I2S connection breaks each element of the signal out and there is a perfect synch between the clocking on the server and DAC.  The Rockna Server with a Rockna DAC will outperform more expensive products because of this synergy. 

Same goes for Playback.  The Dream DAC and their Transport are best together and greater than the sum of the two parts. 

Alternatively, a line like Chord doesn't offer a server and matching with a great server like Antipodes is the best you can do.  

I in my system, I have a standalone server (Antipodes K40) and use the renderer in my Weiss for one system and a chord 2Go/2Yu combo into an Audiobyte DAC as a bridge for the other and both are brilliant.  

Start with the DAC.  Build from there.  
I have the audio gd r7 that accepts I2S.  Using usb and very happy.  Is there an advantage to I2S.  Used hdmi cables with old ps audio transport and dac
Roon is a music interface organizer only  there is no sound improvement  
Pick a streamer that has a good interface like
Bluesound, Aurender and Auralic