Any thoughts on adding a built in Roon Endpoint

[me262]

Hi Guys,
Just a thought for Emotiva, way back before the XMC-1s release, one of the features that was discussed was music streaming direct to the device. This never happened which is not a big deal, but personally I think it is something that should happen either via a firmware update or via the new iteration of XMC/RMC processors. Assuming Emotiva still sees a future for this feature, my big request is that Emotiva not implement something they built/designed themselves but rather use Roon to make the XMC (or future processor) a Roon ready endpoint. Roon already has a partner program, and several hardware vendors have gotten behind it, and the results of using a Roon powered system in a home is awesome. I do not know what the licensing side of this stuff looks like, but based on how Roon is trying to go to Market, I have a hunch they are a reasonable bunch. This would cut down on clutter, reduce the need to buy another device, and would allow me to take advantage of the impressive DAC/Analog stage of the XMC-1 directly, and in theory be much easier for Emotiva to maintain in the long run (as they would just need to be able to update RAAT as part of the firmware upgrade process, or their own implementation of the Roon APIs).

Anyway just a thought, for me this issue is solved with a dedicated Intel Nuc acting as Roon endpoint (and several RPI throughout the house connected to USB DACs acting as endpoints for other systems) but this would be an awesome feature to add to the XMC/RMC line, and would also be a very cool feature for a future XDA or Integrated amplifier.

Answer the poll, curios if I am the only one who would want this.

[Casey Leedom]

I think for the current XMC-1, it would have to be an external unit and that means you're competing with a $65 Raspberry Pi solution.

For the RMC-1 and XMC-2 which have Expansion Module capabilities, having a Streaming Music Module with client software for Roon, Squeeze, and DLNA would be nice.

Especially since the last I heard with regard to the RMC-1 and DSD, it was only going to support it via DSD over PCM ("DoP") for USB or via HDMI. That let's out a cheap Raspberry Pi/USB solution since that only does Native DSD over USB. So we'd have to do a Raspberry Pi with an HDMI "Hat" (Raspberry Pi terminology for hardware expansion boards using their connector). And then things start getting complicated.

This is especially frustrating because the Asahi Kasei Microdevices AK4490EN that the RMC-1 was last reported to be using can handle Native DSD up to DSD256. And because of the use of DoP, I think the RMC-1 will be limited to DSD128 ... (And if they upgraded to the follow on AK4493EQ, then the RMC-1 would have support for DSD512 ... though who in their right minds would want that, I have no idea ...)

Casey

[AudioHTIT]

Aug 30, 2018 15:19:57 GMT -5 Casey Leedom said:

...
For the RMC-1 and XMC-2 which have Expansion Module capabilities, having a Streaming Music Module with client software for Roon, Squeeze, and DLNA would be nice.

Where did I miss that the XMC-2 would have expansion modules?

[klinemj]

Aug 30, 2018 19:28:20 GMT -5 AudioHTIT said:

Aug 30, 2018 15:19:57 GMT -5 Casey Leedom said:

...
For the RMC-1 and XMC-2 which have Expansion Module capabilities, having a Streaming Music Module with client software for Roon, Squeeze, and DLNA would be nice.

Where did I miss that the XMC-2 would have expansion modules?

I've not heard that either. It would be nice if it did.

But to the OP's question, they said at Emofest that an expansion module would be a "thin client streamer" and they might build it into other gear (the DC-2, possibly as an option) or make it a stand alone device. I hope they do and I hope it's a Roon endpoint like a microRendu/ultraRendu and the like.

Mark

[wilburthegoose]

I'd love for something built into the XMC-1, but it's really not needed. My Oppo and Chromecast both act as perfectly good Roon endpoints. And I can feed a USB from my PC to my XMC-1 too.

[novisnick]

I’m thinking that perhaps its not very difficult to make something a Roon Endpoint. My Yamaha RX A3020 which began being manufactured in 2012 is a recognized Roon endpoint.

[klinemj]

Aug 30, 2018 21:31:11 GMT -5 novisnick said:

I’m thinking that perhaps its not very difficult to make something a Roon Endpoint. My Yamaha RX A3020 which began being manufactured in 2012 is a recognized Roon endpoint.

My LH Labs Geek Pulse xinfinity is an endpoint also. I didn't expect that!

Mark (1 post closer to 12K! Pad-a-Pad-a-Pad-a...)

[AudioHTIT]

Aug 30, 2018 22:26:51 GMT -5 klinemj said:

...
Mark (1 post closer to 12K! Pad-a-Pad-a-Pad-a...)

Ah, the Dozen Klub! I think Steve Martin and Paul Simon greet you with a pipe and smoking jacket (Bill Murray joins you with something for the pipe). Scarlett Johansson then guides you to a comfy chair where you’re treated to a private concert by Paul McCartney, U2, and Foo Fighters. The evening is topped off with dessert served by David S Pumpkin ... Can’t wait!

[novisnick]

Aug 31, 2018 9:26:36 GMT -5 AudioHTIT said:

Aug 30, 2018 22:26:51 GMT -5 klinemj said:

My LH Labs Geek Pulse xinfinity is an endpoint also. I didn't expect that!

Mark (1 post closer to 12K! Pad-a-Pad-a-Pad-a...)

Ah, the Dozen Klub! I think Steve Martin and Paul Simon greet you with a pipe and smoking jacket (Bill Murray joins you with something for the pipe). Scarlett Johansson then guides you to a comfy chair where you’re treated to a private concert by Paul McCartney, U2, and Foo Fighters. The evening is topped off with dessert served by David S Pumpkin ... Can’t wait!

I’d just love to disclose the whole ceremony but as a member I’m forbidden.  😋

[Casey Leedom]

Aug 30, 2018 19:28:20 GMT -5 AudioHTIT said:

Aug 30, 2018 15:19:57 GMT -5 Casey Leedom said:

...
For the RMC-1 and XMC-2 which have Expansion Module capabilities, having a Streaming Music Module with client software for Roon, Squeeze, and DLNA would be nice.

Where did I miss that the XMC-2 would have expansion modules?

Hhrrrmmm, that'll require a search ... it had to do with the announcement that the XMC-2 and RMC-1 would share the same platform with only some modular components being different ...

... I had thought that I'd seen a picture of it with the same size chassis as well but I guess I was wrong. Looking at the emotiva_autio Instagram account I see a picture released from CES 2018 that does not show Expansion Module capabilities. Sorry for misremembering.

Casey