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



128x128patrickdowns

Showing 1 response by uberwaltz

I rip all my cds now using mediacenter on my win10 pc and then just transfer them over the network direct to the 2tb ssd connected to my Roon Core. Easy peasy.

Prior to my present setup I used a Bluesound Vault2 where I ripped the majority of my cds to its internal 2tb hdd and then duplicated that as  a backup on an external 2tb ssd. That lot I then copied over to a 4tb ssd.

That is now connected to my Roon core so I can access anything from it instantly or Qobuz.
I do really like the way Roon library is set up and its music discovery and bio information is unsurpassed imho.
Good luck and even better listening!