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Help! Choosing a Roon core/streamer/server! (Roon vs Innuos vs Wyred4Sound)

Hi,
I have gone down the rabbit hole, changed my thinking many times, and have arrived at 3 choices: Roon Nucleus, Innuos Zen MkIII, or Wyred4Sound MS. I was once all set on an Aurender N100, but have decided I want Roon as an option.

I use Tidal and Amazon HD music, and want to rip my 800 CD collection.

I once didn't want Roon because I had/have ZERO interest in running the Core on a PC. Now, with these 3 choices, they run as both the Core and a server--a one box solution, which is what I really want. I've watched the Darko videos on the Innuos and Wyred units and he likes both.

ROON Nucleus ($1400) (Nucleus+ is much more $$, but has SSD I think)
Advantages: Price ($1400), and I can add either an HDD or SSD drive.
Disadvantages: It is Roon only and I am locked in to that app/OS. Can add ripper drive but it's not built in and not sure if ripping is easy.

INNUOS Zen MkIII ($2700, or so)
Advantages: Has the ripper built in (huge, for me) and ripping is easy. Their software is good and they're coming out with a new killer version, is the rumor, so if you don't want Roon you have an alternative. I'm reading that it sounds better than the Nucleus.
Disadvantages: Over $1000 more expensive than the Nucleus. HDD internal drive is standard, no option for SSD.

WYRED4SOUND:
Advantages: Can get it with 1 or 2TD SSD drive. Can run using it as a non-Roon server. Also has ripper built in. Made in US, with 3 year warranty!
Disadvantages: Most expensive. $3350 w/2TB SSD.

Thanks... any input is appreciated. PD

Innuos  http://www.innuos.com/en/catalog/go/zen-mk3-1tb-hdd-black
ROON https://roonlabs.com/nucleus
Wyred https://wyred4sound.com/products/music-servers/ms



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Showing 7 responses by patrickdowns

patrickdowns's avatar
patrickdowns OP
498 posts
 
Apparently Amazon doesn't play well with others... I've been told that they require devices to work with Alexa if they want Amazon Music HD integrated. Frustrating. 
patrickdowns's avatar
patrickdowns OP
498 posts
 
Ripping on a Roon Core/Nucleus is simple.

Thanks! 
patrickdowns's avatar
patrickdowns OP
498 posts
 
Excellent! 
patrickdowns's avatar
patrickdowns OP
498 posts
 
Folks, I don't want to build my own box and I don't want to be an IT guy and I don't want to run a Roon core on a computer! Thanks, though. 
patrickdowns's avatar
patrickdowns OP
498 posts
 
Thanks. I too have concerns about being locked into Roon. BluOS (Bluesound Node) would be the budget one box solution, maybe, but not sure of the SQ. 
patrickdowns's avatar
patrickdowns OP
498 posts
 
Thanks Jazzman!
patrickdowns's avatar
patrickdowns OP
498 posts
 
tuberist     I just order an SGC box with Microrendu!

I learned a lot while researching (ie, torturing myself) for this project: Items 1-6 are what I considered and eliminated. Obviously if you have $3000-10,000 to spend, there are other choices.

  1. Bluesound Node 2i: Many owners are reporting hardware and software problems and frustrations. I wanted both a Roon core and endpoint, and it isn't.
  2. I originally thought I'd get an Aurender until I decided I want Roon, which it doesn't do. Then I read about problems with Aurenders after power losses and other issues. Nope.
  3. Then I settled on the Innuos Zen III, but it's made in Portugal and they don't have a US service facility. In addition, in reading the fine print they don't guarantee that with the Zen you can run it well as both a core and streamer, and it only has an i3 processor, which some claim isn't powerful enough. They don't offer an SSD drive until the Zenith, which is $4k+. It's out.
  4. Roon Nucleus. Meh. i3 processor, expensive for what it is.
  5. Salk Streamplayer. Looks nice, has an i5 processor, and the maker is very nice on the phone. Only available in the mid-level with an HDD drive, and I wanted SSD. So no.

  6. >> The one I would buy if I had 2x the money to spend: Wyred4Sound's MS music server. One box solution, runs as core/streamer, has great connection options incl SPDIF, USD, and I2S and my preamp/DAC has I2S. Built-in ripper. Runs Squeezebox and UPnP apps. REALLY nice unit, but $3k with 2tb SSD. Could but don't want to spend $3k to $4500! Darn it. EJ Sarmento, the designer, was super helpful discussing it, and I regret not giving him the order. Next time. https://wyred4sound.com/products/music-servers/ms

  7. THE ONE: Small Green Computer Sonictransporter with 2tb onboard SSD and a Microrendu streamer. About $1500. No, not a one box solution but that's okay. Has an i5 processor, comparable to the Roon Nucleus+ which is 2x the price. Should work great with Roon using DSP if I want to. No onboard ripper drive, but just plug one in and works the same. www.smallgreencomputer.com

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