@ricred1 Do plan on running the ROON core on it and then implementing one of the endpoint options?
DAC vs Music Server
I want to preface my comments by saying, this is my experience, I don’t know everything, and your results may vary. I’ve recently compared the Mola Mola Tambaqui, DCS Bartok, and DCS Rossini in my system to my Chord Dave. The most significant differences were between the Rossini and everything else, but the Rossini wasn’t a good fit in my system. A couple of dealers told me that the most significant differences will be found by replacing my DAC. After my experience comparing several DACs, I decided to purchase the Antipodes Oladra music server. I’ve been using the Antipodes K21 and K41. I received the Oladra and wow! The richness of instruments and naturalness of voices, the enveloping soundstage, dynamics, realism, detail while sounding relaxed. Everything across the entire audio spectrum has improved. In my system, the Oladra music server has more impact on the sound than any DAC I’ve tried. It’s a reminder that our own ears are the best tools to decide on what does or doesn’t work in our system.
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questforhifi,I had the Antipodes K21 and K41 prior to the Oladra. The K41 was my server and the K21 was the streamer. I don't think one dealer suggested upgrading my music server. Every dealer suggested that I would yield better results by upgrading my DAC as opposed to my music server. So, I initially started comparing DACs. If possible, "we" have to experiment with different components in our systems to determine the best way to spend our money. |
I have found greater sonic differences in the streamer (or Roon endpoint), than resulting from the server (Roon core + local files). When comparing, I think it is important to understand what the device is being used for and in the case of the Oladra, K50, Grimm, and others, those are performing the dual functions of both server and streamer and outputting directly into a DAC. Units like the Innuos Pulsar, Auralic Aries 2.2, and Sonore Rendu line-up are stand-alone streamers (only, no server), although the Aries 2.2 (that they call a "Streaming Transporter") has local file storage capabilities. |
Agreed, squeeze sounds much better than Roon on Antipodes as well. It is nice to have both, and it is so easy to switch back and forth. You have other choices too: Roon server/Squeeze player, HQ player, Roon server HQ Player, MPD with Minimserver, MPD with miniDLNA, MPD with squeeze server, Shairport, and one fellow I know uses PGGB offline mastering stuff with it- I am not versed in it enough to explain what exactly that is, but other servers could not do it. Not to mention user plugin 24TB of onboard storage is nice. |
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