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Basic Digital Audio Setup Advice

Greetings! Looking for some feedback on a wired digital audio setup. My primary goal is to play hi-res (up to 24/192) lossless files bit perfectly in a plug and play fashion.

Here's my current (modest) arrangement, my iMac is too far from the DAC to hard wire, forcing use of Airplay and downsampling to 16-44.1...

2014 iMac w/ external HDD (~4TB of FLAC/ALAC files) > Audirvana 3.5/Roon (both on trial currently, migrating from iTunes/Music) > Airplay (via Airport Express) optical > Cambridge Audio DACMagic Plus > Rega Brio > Q Acoustics 3050i
I'd like to add a server/streamer next to the DAC that I can access remotely to take the iMac out of the chain. Initially was looking at a headless 2012 MacMini >  DAC using Audirvana/Roon but I know not truly dedicated to audio.

When going down the Roon rabbit hole I was intrigued by the Nucleus in place of the Mini. I would likely look to move the file storage to a 2-4 bay NAS accessed by either the Mini or Nucleus.

It feels a bit askew to spend more money on the server/storage than I'm into for the DAC/Receiver/Speakers but the ease and cleanliness of the Nucleus has a lot of appeal.

Are there any simpler/less expensive options I'm overlooking that might help me accomplish my playback goals, keeping in mind my audio component level? I'm not very keen on having to assemble so the NUC/ROCK option isn't something I've considered. I also looked at the Bluesound Node2i but feedback on the OS is poor and sounds like some challenges with being actually Roon Ready.

Thanks much!
travisnordgren

Showing 3 responses by dbphd

dbphd
1,632 posts
 
You might use a Google MESH system to generate an Ethernet network, run Roon core on your iMac and use a Senore microRendu or ultraRendu as the Roon endpoint with USB to a DAC of your choice.  It's simple to setup, the iMac doesn't need to be near the end point or DAC, and it's flexible for changes you might want to make in the future.  The sound can be superb.  You likely can find a microRendu or ultraRendu in the used market at a very reasonable price.

I'm leery about expensive special-purpose devices.
dbphd
1,632 posts
 
My perhaps flawed understanding is that the Google MESH system generates a distributed Ethernet.  The master MESH unit plugs into the router.  The cables from the MESH units appear to be Ethernet cables that plug into Ethernet ports.  When I plug the cable into my iMac, it shows Ethernet as being connected.

In any case, I run two setups with Roon core running on a Mini downstairs.  The router is upstairs.  One setup is what appears to be an Ethernet cable to an ultraRendu that outputs USB to an Ayre Codex DAC then balanced analog to an Ayre A7e integrated driving KEF LS50s.  The other setup is an Ethernet cable from the master MESH unit to an Ayre QX-5 Twenty digital hub (and Roon endpoint) that outputs balanced analog to 5-Twenty series Ayre preamp and amp that drive KEF Reference 1s.  The sound in each case is excellent to superb with no dropouts.  With the appropriate files, the QX-5 displays 192 or DSD.  I subscribe to both Qobuz and Tidal.
dbphd
1,632 posts
 
The Google master unit is connected to the router.  Both the upstairs iMac and downstairs Mini (sole purpose is to run Roon core) indicate they are connected to the Ethernet.  This weekend I plan to move the Mini upstairs and connect it to the spare Ethernet port of the router, but I doubt it will make any difference.  The DSD download of Take Five from the Ayre QX-5 Twenty is at least the equal of the DSD disc played using the Ayre DX-5 DSD, as is the Qobuz 192/24 file.   

I recall reading about MESH technology.  Apparently it's commonly used by cable systems.  I don't claim to understand it, just know it works for me.

More relevant, I think, is my point about being leery of expensive special-purpose components.  You can deactivate most of the ancillary functions of a Mac Mini used for running Roon core, and a well-configured late 2012 can be had for about $500. 
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