@verdantaudio - As with @sns, I too prefer the Roon server operating core to be separate from the endpoint/renderer. My first server/streamer (after moving away from my customized Mac mini) was the Antipodes DX a one-box server/streamer, similar to the current K50. Based on my successful time with the DX, I am sure the K50 is a great sounding unit. However, I have found that separating the server and streamer offers potential benefits that work well for me, including,
- Locate the server in a separate room near the network equipment and not in the main music system room,
- separate potentially noiser, higher powered processing duties performed by the server from the final processing/reclocking duties performed by the Roon endpoint unit,
- position the streamer/endpoint in the main system room so the cable from endpoint to DAC can be short,
- separate units allow allocating a greater proportion of the available funding into the steamer/endpoint, which some believe has a greater impact on the sound than the unit performing the file storage/server/Roon core duties,
- separate units make it easier to maintain and upgrade one or the other, without needing to upgrade a more expensive combination server/streamer.
Of course, there is more than one way to get good sound and many prefer to simply purchase a single, high-performing, one-box solution like the Antipodes DX or Oladra, Grimm MU1 or MU2, Aeon 432 EVO, or similar.