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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
john1
119 posts
 
This will really open your eyes on how to maximize sound quality from Roon. This dealer is not alone in providing verified upgrades commonly available, but their video spells it out nicely >
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaDN7lw6sMU
aschuh's avatar
aschuh
42 posts
 
@rifraf4u 
re ROON and sound quality, in my experience ROON enables perfect implementation of signal transmission via WiFi. I run the ROON core on a (dedicated) MacBook and distribute via WiFi (LinkSys mesh) to two OPPO 205s. Works perfectly, in case of doubt better than USB (to the OPPOs), but this is a marginal ‘better’.

re Ethernet cables, I agree as far as bit for but transmission is concerned. But these cables can carry power, act as antennas, and the more you go up the ladder (CAT 5 -> 8) deal with switching frequencies. There is potential for contamination. WiFi connection minimizes that.

Finally, much to my surprise, inserting a powered Netgear switch between my router and distribution box (house is CAT 5 wired) resulted in clearly better image quality on SONY 4K screens around the house. I can’t say I have now better sound, but this is an indication that there is Ethernet related contamination which can make it through…

All the best!


pedroeb
493 posts
 
I'm not at all convinced streaming can ever match a self contained system.

Streaming is all about convenience and should never be measured against Sound Quality.

What are your best sound sources?
emergingsoul
1,538 posts
 
Streaming can be complex. More u learn the deeper rabbithole is.

very frustrating, be prepared to spend alot.

Keep it simple. Stay away from exotic peripherals.


adasdad's avatar
adasdad
160 posts
 
When I came into the 21st century and stopped fooling around with my hundreds of CD’s and LP’s and started streaming music it was a veritable godsend. I use a ROON Nucleus Rev B to stream music from Tidal and Qobuz. My router is a Gigaspire model made by Calix that was provided by my cable TV internet service, a product which I plan on upgrading in the future. I use a $20 CAT6 Ethernet cable made by L-Com running from the router to my Nucleus, because there is no need for a more expensive one unless you have a much better router. I do use an AudioQuest Diamond USB cable from the Nucleus to my ROON endpoint, a Chord Hugo M Scaler, because I’m not a cable denier, and the AQ Diamond is one that sounds quite nice within my listening chain. I’m all about plug and play convenience. I turn on my Woo WA22 hp amp, put my Focal Utopia headphones on my head, pick up my iPad Pro, and start listening to whatever recorded music suits my fancy. It’s that easy. You can spend thousands on TOTL streaming audio gear if you want to, but it really isn’t necessary if you’re just getting started. 
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