You can keep the Roon Core on 24/7 in another room away from your system. Ethernet connection to Gustard will most likely sound better than USB from a noisy PC or Nuc. In addition, if Nuc is not fanless you will hear the fan while listening to music.
If I were you I would pick up a used Lumin U1 Mini and use it as a roon endpoint via USB into gustard with roon core in another room.
PC or Nuc? running Roon core
I have an old Intel Dell PC in another room running ROON OS. It’s networked via coax to my Gustard r26 DAC/rendering/streaming Quobuz. I have Xfinity internet router direct into the Gustard with Bluejean cable’s best coax. I’ve been intrigued by a newer generation Intel NUC offered on craigslist running the same Roon software. I would swap the NUC for the PC and bring it into the listening room. This would be more convenient because I wouldn’t need to constantly go back and forth, into the other room to turn on, launch roon and power off. So, here’s my question, knowing I would need to add a good USB cable into the NUC connection, I’m wondering if this change a step up is more convenience then sq? How much of a gain in the sq? I’m looking to keep my other components and improve the sound quality.
My system is Maggies 1.7mains, Rogers LS3/5a surrounds, NHT C2 center, Rel 9x, NAD M23 (mains), Parasound HCA 2125a (surrounds/center) Anthem AVM50, Gustard r26, Kimber cables. My music listening is using the Anthem DSP.
I look forward to your feedback.
Cheers!
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