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Question on Streamer/Dac and Roon

I'm fairly new to digital and am building a system that's both MQA capable and Roon ready. I currently use a 2014 Mac Mini as roon server + streamer connected by USB to the Mytek Brooklyn Dac+, which then feeds balanced into a Mac pre and amp. I keep reading the mac mini is noisy as a streamer and hence the post. If I were to re-engineer a bit there are a couple of choices I can make, assuming my original goals of MQA and Roon remain. 

Should I:
1. Get a Lumin U1 mini, which can act as a Roon endpoint, and feed into the Mytek DAC (ESS 9028)
2. Combine the streamer and Dac functionality into the Lumin T2. I'm not sure if this is indeed a step up since the T2 also has the same ESS 9028 chipset as the Mytek. 
3. Keep the current setup and be done. 

I use the mac mini as the roon server, and that comes to my last question. If I get either of the Lumins, they would be the roon endpoint. I will still need the mac mini or a NUC to act as the roon server. I'm not able to comprehend the point of a streamer other than acting as an endpoint for Roon, sort of like a catcher to what Roon throws at it. If Roon is going to be the front end, does the Lumin really provide me with a benefit? I like the Roon software and being a lifetime member unlikely to switch over to the Lumin app. And I do not have Lumin dealers nearby to audition them. 

And some footnotes. I dont want to spend too much, the Lumin U1 mini or T2 is the max I would like to go, if I can justify their point of existence within my system. Also, not a Nucleus fan if a NUC can do the job for cheaper, and so can the mac mini. 

What would you do and why?

128x128rajivhifi

Showing 1 response by verdantaudio

verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,469 posts
 
In a roon system the server handles any local music and communication with your streaming service and the player/renderer processes your tracks, and applies DSPs.  

I had a dedicated PC just to running Roon and when I moved from it to a Nucleus+, I was SHOCKED at the difference it made.  Everything became quieter and more dynamic.  

Now, the Nucleus or Nucleus+ are very nice and will connect to your DAC and serve as Server and Player.  I would be surprised if you don't find this to be an improvement over your Mac Mini.  The difference between the two is driven by two factors, library size and whether you intend to apply a DSP to DSD vs PCM or no DSP at all.  

If your library is greater than 120K tracks or you want to use a DSP on DSD, you need the Nucleus+.  Otherwise and Nucleus will be fine.  This is a lovely unit but has limited upgradability.   

Another alternative would be to look at something like an Antipodes S30.  It can server as a player and server but has a nice upgrade path where you can add a second one or an S40 as a separate server and player, it has a separate power supply available and even an external clock available if you ever need one.  
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