Best Server To Run Roon Core


Hi Folks,

I don’t currently run ROON, but would like to begin correctly in order to give it a chance - and I understand that server (hardware) on which Roon core is installed is important for SQ (due to noise reduction and other factors).

What are the best hardware for SQ and usability where ROON core should be installed and why (be it audiophile dedicated servers or modified PCs)? Please comment on the rest of your setup for context if you could.

Thank you in advance.


jmarshak

Mark thought that adding a Nuc as server to the Antipodes K21 as streamer, could sound worse than the K21 running on its own as streamer/server.

He also suggested a better path for me may be to wait for the next update/upgrade for the K21. A decent suggestion, in my view.

With Roon my experience is streamer running Core extremely important, I'd never exchange Nuc with the K21 for the Core. Much better option is to run one of the simplified streamers, those dedicated to a single purpose such as running Roon Endpoint as the streamer. I've been through any number of Roon configurations over many years, best sound quality I've attained is running very high end streamer as Core/server with streamers such as SOTM and now Sonore OpticalRendu as Endpoints.

@sns FWIW, I recently bought a Bricasti M3 with the network option, and at the same time bought the used Antipodes CX to try using the direct Ethernet link as opposed to a USB cable. So essentially what you are doing with the lightweight endpoint. I have swapped between using USB and Ethernet and the difference is striking, in favor of Ethernet. I am sold on the network DAC idea.