Building your own Roon ROCK server is a great way to save some money and still get an top-notch product. My configuration used the following parts:
Intel NUC8i7BEH (i7 gen8): $659
Crucial 8GB DDR4 x2: $58
Transcend 128GB PCIe SSD: $29
Samsung 860 1TB SSD: $130
Samsung 128GB Thumb Drive for backups: $18
Akasa Turing Fanless case: $175
ZeroZone 100VA 19V Linear PS: $175
Total: $1199
This is the same CPU, twice the RAM (probably not necessary), twice the boot/database drive size (allows much larger library), Linear power supply (the Nucleus+ comes with a SMPS), and 1TB library storage (not included with the Nucleas+) at half the price.
The NUC comes with a SMPS, so you can use that if you don't want to upgrade to a LPS.
It did take about an hour to set up the NUC with ROCK, and another hour to install the NUC in the Akasa case, but it's relatively straight-forward and has worked great since I built it in January.
The NUC is pretty quiet in its standard case, so even if you want it in your listening room, you might be satisfied without the fanless case which saves some money and time.
Intel NUC8i7BEH (i7 gen8): $659
Crucial 8GB DDR4 x2: $58
Transcend 128GB PCIe SSD: $29
Samsung 860 1TB SSD: $130
Samsung 128GB Thumb Drive for backups: $18
Akasa Turing Fanless case: $175
ZeroZone 100VA 19V Linear PS: $175
Total: $1199
This is the same CPU, twice the RAM (probably not necessary), twice the boot/database drive size (allows much larger library), Linear power supply (the Nucleus+ comes with a SMPS), and 1TB library storage (not included with the Nucleas+) at half the price.
The NUC comes with a SMPS, so you can use that if you don't want to upgrade to a LPS.
It did take about an hour to set up the NUC with ROCK, and another hour to install the NUC in the Akasa case, but it's relatively straight-forward and has worked great since I built it in January.
The NUC is pretty quiet in its standard case, so even if you want it in your listening room, you might be satisfied without the fanless case which saves some money and time.