fundsgon--I am new to streaming. Audiophile wannabe since mid 1970s. Experienced 8-track, vinyl, cassette tape, reel-to-reel, compact disc. Nothing has been more fun than streaming. To select any song by any artist in any genre from anywhere in the world at any time for a mere $20 a month is nothing short of revolutionary. My Roon Nucleus and Dragon Fly Red DAC cost less than $1800. It does not rival my $20,000 SME vinyl rig. But what I hear with this modest entry tells me that it can. And I plan to explore all the glorious options. My wife and I have so much fun selecting an artist and playing every song by that artist--without having to flip a record every 20 minutes. No hiss, no pops, just hi fidelity music. And yes. It is a wonderful way to find that Album I want to invest in and own. Don't miss out. You will enjoy the journey.
19 responses Add your response
@fundsgon - to each his/her own, but I have found streaming to be a game changer for me. 15 or so years ago, I had all but lost interest in high-end 2-channel audio, and focused on home theater instead. This was mostly because I was bored with my music collection and I was tired of buying CDs and being disappointed. I had given up LPs a number of years earlier because I didn't have the space in the homes I lived in, and had young children which made it too challenging at the time. So I sold most of my high-end gear and kept my secondary system, which was not shabby (Levinson No 39 CD player, 383 Integrated amp, and Revel Performa F30 speakers), but not close to the level of equipment I once had. I played around with Pandora and later Spotify for a few years, but was never really satisfied with the sound quality. When I discovered Tidal redbook streaming, and then Roon, my interest was reignited. My system now is far from state of the art, but is probably the best system I've owned and the ability to find fantastic new music has reinvigorated my interest in audio. Building a good streaming system may be somewhat complicated, but I don't think it is any more so than creating a good system with any source. And experimenting with different components, cables, tweaks, system architectures, etc. is part of what makes this hobby interesting. I'm having more fun with this hobby than I every have. |
Roon software consists of three parts - server, endpoint, and controller. The server is what manages your music library (either locally stored on a hard drive and/or streamed from Tidal and/or Qobuz). The controller is the part that provides the user interface (typically run on a tablet or smart phone, but can also be run on a Mac or PC). The endpoint is what connects to your audio system. The Nucleus (or NUC running Roon Rock) can operate as both a server and endpoint. As an endpoint, it only has USB output. There are numerous other devices that can operate as Roon endpoints by using ethernet (either wired or wireless) to transfer the data from the server, and that connect to the DAC over SPDIF, AES3, USB, optical and/or I2S, or that include a DAC built in. Probably the most popular is the BlueSound Node 2i because it offers a lot of bang for the buck ($500). It includes a built in DAC, but can also be connected to an better external DAC. But there are many other options from companies such as Lumin, Auralic, Bryston, Sonore, Sotm, just to name a few. Roon generally recommends that the Nucleus be used as just the server, with a separate device used as the endpoint. This is because a device optimized as an end-point can be simpler and generate less digital noise and therefore theoretically deliver better audio quality. The USB output port on the Nucleus is not optimized for audio. This doesn't mean it won't work, but will probably be compromised compared to a reasonable quality streamer/endpoint such as from one of the companies listed above. Many better modern DACs put in a fair amount of effort to make their USB inputs less sensitive to noise and jitter on the signal, so your mileage may vary. It's quite possible that a given DAC will sound as good or better connected directly to the Nucleus than using a modest quality streamer/endpoint, There are also now devices that are designed to be used between the USB source and the USB input on the DAC. These are basically USB bridges, but they buffer the USB signal and output it on a USB output optimized for audio. An example is the Sotm tx-USBultra, or the newly announced Denafrips Iris and Gaia. Bottom line is that there a lot of ways to slay this dragon, and there are a lot of factors that affect the quality of sound you'll get. Adding a good quality LPS to the Nucleus will definitely help the quality of the USB signal generated if you choose to connect this way. Even if you connect over ethernet, it will still have some effect, although perhaps not as significant. I'm wrestling with the same issues in my system. I have a NUC running ROCK which is currently connected over wired ethernet to a Bryston streamer and then to the DAC over AES3. I have an LPS on my NUC and am wondering myself whether I should invest in a good USB cable and try a directly connection to my DAC (Denafrips Terminator) which supposedly does quite well with USB input. |
@thinman2 Take a look at the Roon partners and their product offerings, as a starting point. This will give you a great feel for component breadth and depth. There are others that are not Roon "certified / tested" that work equally well. https://roonlabs.com/partners I was using the Sonore Signature Rendu SE as my standalone Roon Endpoint/Renderer. |
Jaytor. Isn't that essentially what I am doing now by running the Roon to Dragon Fly red into my preamp? I thought I could connect the Roon Nucleus vis USB to a DAC that has a USB input? And then balanced connections to my preamp. I obviously have a lot to learn. Would someone give me examples of a standalone Roon Endpoint; audio device that offers Roon Endpoint/Rendering. I have been looking at audio note (ANK) tube DACs that have USB input but got cold feet when they wouldn't disclose the units specifications. |
@thinman2 - I currently have my Roon Nucleus connected via Curious USB Cable to a Chord Qutest. I like this combination very much. The system with all its details can be found here: https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8156 All that is missing is the Sbooster Power Supply that has only been in the system for two weeks now. I have been streaming via Tidal since 2014 and via Qobuz since November. Personally I prefer Qobuz to Tidal. If you do MQA, Roon will perform the first bit of unfolding, which will get you all the way to 96K; and I'd argue most of the goodness to be had is within that first 96K. I too, wouldn't get too hung up on MQA. The vast majority of what is out there streaming-wise is at Redbook quality. |
@thinman2 Since the Roon Nucleus is Roon Core only (correct me if I am wrong), you will either need a standalone Roon Endpoint/Renderer OR an "audio device" that offers Roon Endpoint/Rendering. You will also need to decide between a networked solution or going direct into the "audio device" via HDMI or USB. For your DAC, I suggest that overall performance and sound quality drive your choice AND NOT whether it is MQA enabled (you get the first MQA unfold via Roon, regardless). I’ve achieved terrific performance with both: a separate Roon Renderer/Endpoint AND with that function housed internal to my DAC. |
bill_k. David_ten. As a vinyl guy I'm taking baby steps with streaming. Presently I have the Roon streaming to a red Dragon Fly with 2.5mm plug and splitter to RCA into Pass Labs XP30 3 box preamplifier to Pass Labs Monoblocks into Klipsch LaScala. I have a Tidal $20 per month account. Undecided on DAC and whether or not I will require it to have Roon and MQA . Hard to find a Room, MQA DAC that doesn't have headphone amp, preamplifier, line stage or other circuits I neither need nor want. Appreciate any recommendations on DAC. Once I decide on a DAC, I will seek everyones advice on cabling. Thanks everyone for the help. Oh, I opted for the upgraded receptacle but not the fuse. |
@thinman2 Good on moving forward with the Farad. Adding a linear power supply to your Roon Nucleus will reap benefits. Since you've taken the first step, invest in a quality aftermarket DC cable. You may also want to play with the AC power cable to the LPS. Interesting that Farad offers a choice for the AC receptacle and Fuse. |
I've read very positive reports on the Farad Super 3 which is a double regulated super capacitor linear power supply (LPS), and the 19V version is recommended with the Nucleus. https://faradpowersupplies.com/shop/en/home/51-15279-super3-power-supply.html |
Sbooster 19 volt linear power supply. Just got one a couple of weeks ago to use with my Roon Nucleus which I use as my network player in my main rig. The power supply is a good sized brick, almost as large as the Nucleus itself. Well made plastic case. Runs pretty cool ... warm to the touch, not hot (I have a Small Green Computer 5 Volt LPS which is smaller, but runs much, much hotter, that I use with Chord Qutest). Sbooster is still breaking in ... but preliminary impressions... richecr sound; dropped the noise floor and makes it feel like it raised the ceiling. Using it together with Shunyata Venom 3 power cord. Has gotten lots of positive reviews, including at The Ear, Hifi Pig, and Positive Feedback. |
