Options to improve digital sound


Hi,

I am looking for some, hopefully, simple advice.  My current digital system is an M4 MacMini feeding a Holo May DAC into a PrimaLuna 400 preamp and amp.  My speakers are Devore Gibbon X.  I primarily listen to downloaded and ripped files with Roon and Audirvana.  I also use Qobuz, but not as often.

The sound quality is good, but I feel like it could be improved.  The options I'm considering are a Small Green Computer SonicTransporter i7 to replace the Mini, or a SGC UltraRendu to put between the Mini and the Holo May.

Which option would be better?  Is there a better option?  I'd like to keep the cost under around $2500.

Thanks

walt8489

Showing 1 response by erik_squires

The CPU utilization of Roon is quite variable, and relative.  The biggest challenges for Roon CPU are use of DSP and format conversion such as DSD to PCM or vice versa. 

It's also relative to the CPU that you have.  Very low power CPUs as used in micro PC's may be more stressed more easily.  Also, because DSP happens on the server, if you have multiple music streams going on at once this can also increase CPU usage. 

Having said all of that, the CPU usage I observe is generally very low.   Not sure what this has to do with anything though, so long as the stream doesn't break up this should not affect playback quality as the Roon endpoints keep a significant buffer.