DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Oct 23, 2018 9:55:19 GMT -5
There has been a ton of discussion here about setting up a network music system, so I though I'd share some info about how to make it easy. Please note I have no interest in the products I am about to mention except that I have used them both.
Let's assume you want to set up a music server in your home. You want to stream audio from the Internet and/or from a service like Tidal, and you have music files on a hard drive or NAS that you'd like to play. You have decided that you want to use Roon to control your system. Here are two solutions that are as close to plug and play as possible, and which require no computer knowledge or special skills. They only require a little money.
The two devices I have in mind are the Roon Nucleus and the Elac Discovery. Both are music server computers in nice compact cases. Both are silent with no fans or rotating hard drives so they can be placed right in your rack as part of a music-oriented system. Both The Discovery comes pre-loaded with a version of Roon that allows you to avoid subscription fees. And both are readily available for just over a $1000 investment (as of this writing the Discovery is $1100 and the Nucleus is $1400 on Amazon.) The Nucleus comes with a trial membership and you must pay for Roon.
Here's how you use them: You plug them in to power and the Internet as part of an Ethernet network (neither offers wireless.) You connect them to your music system (more on that in a bit.) You plug in a USB hard drive or NAS holding your music (or you direct them to the folder containing your music elsewhere on your home network.) You download a control app to your PC, Mac, tablet or phone, or all of these, log into your Tidal account if you choose to go that way or select the local track you want to hear, and you begin playing music. No Pi DIY, no special computer knowledge required, no difficult setup (although there is a little bit of setup, but even a novice should be able to do it.) That's it.
Except for the $1100 to $1400 cost of admission, nothing could be easier. Consider that the price includes a lifetime subscription to Roon or Roon Essentials and the cost is a bit easier to swallow.
What is the difference between the two?
The Nucleus is just a Roon server. It has one USB or HDMI digital output so it must be used with a receiver/preamp or external DAC that accepts one of these. The Discovery has USB and S/PDIF digital outputs but it also has dual analog outputs, meaning it has two (decent sounding but not great) DACs built in so it can be connected to an analog input of a music system making it more flexible. Also, the three outputs on the Discovery (digital, analog 1 and analog 2) appear as different "endpoints" (Roon-speak for player) in the Roon app and can be controlled separately, meaning you actually have three different players available. You could connect the digital out to your main music system and one of the analogs to a second zone and use them both at the same time, playing the same or different content. The digital outputs on both sound pretty much the same and the quality you hear will be dependent on what you connect them to. The analog outs on the Discovery sound to me as good as a mid-level CD player. Acceptable and listenable but can be improved upon. Nucleus comes with a full version of Roon and Discovery with Roon Essentials. The notable difference between the two is Essentials has a max local library size limit of 100,000 tracks and does not support DSD.
Both devices are Roon servers, so if you have other endpoints in your home they can all be "seen" and controlled from the app and can all access whatever music is connected to the server.
There are many other solutions, and many that can be cheaper. But in my opinion if you want to get into the network music game as easily as possible, one of these is a good solution.
-EDITED_ to make the corrections discussed below.
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Post by mshump on Oct 23, 2018 10:19:23 GMT -5
Great post ! Nice easy way to set up for network system. Yes there are cheaper ways but if your not very computer savvy it can get very confusing fast !
Mark
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Post by mr on Oct 23, 2018 11:03:08 GMT -5
There has been a ton of discussion here about setting up a network music system, so I though I'd share some info about how to make it easy. Please note I have no interest in the products I am about to mention except that I have used them both. Let's assume you want to set up a music server in your home. You want to stream audio from the Internet and/or from a service like Tidal, and you have music files on a hard drive or NAS that you'd like to play. You have decided that you want to use Roon to control your system. Here are two solutions that are as close to plug and play as possible, and which require no computer knowledge or special skills. They only require a little money. The two devices I have in mind are the Roon Nucleus and the Elac Discovery. Both are music server computers in nice compact cases. Both are silent with no fans or rotating hard drives so they can be placed right in your rack as part of a music-oriented system. Both come pre-loaded with a version of Roon that allows you to avoid subscription fees. And both are readily available for just over a $1000 investment (as of this writing the Discovery is $1100 and the Nucleus is $1400 on Amazon.) Here's how you use them: You plug them in to power and the Internet as part of an Ethernet network (neither offers wireless.) You connect them to your music system (more on that in a bit.) You plug in a USB hard drive or NAS holding your music (or you direct them to the folder containing your music elsewhere on your home network.) You download a control app to your PC, Mac, tablet or phone, or all of these, log into your Tidal account if you choose to go that way or select the local track you want to hear, and you begin playing music. No Pi DIY, no special computer knowledge required, no difficult setup (although there is a little bit of setup, but even a novice should be able to do it.) That's it. Except for the $1100 to $1400 cost of admission, nothing could be easier. Consider that the price includes a lifetime subscription to Roon or Roon Essentials and the cost is a bit easier to swallow. What is the difference between the two? The Nucleus is just a Roon server. It has one USB or HDMI digital output so it must be used with a receiver/preamp or external DAC that accepts one of these. The Discovery has USB and S/PDIF digital outputs but it also has dual analog outputs, meaning it has two (decent sounding but not great) DACs built in so it can be connected to an analog input of a music system making it more flexible. Also, the three outputs on the Discovery (digital, analog 1 and analog 2) appear as different "endpoints" (Roon-speak for player) in the Roon app and can be controlled separately, meaning you actually have three different players available. You could connect the digital out to your main music system and one of the analogs to a second zone and use them both at the same time, playing the same or different content. The digital outputs on both sound pretty much the same and the quality you hear will be dependent on what you connect them to. The analog outs on the Discovery sound to me as good as a mid-level CD player. Acceptable and listenable but can be improved upon. Nucleus comes with a full version of Roon and Discovery with Roon Essentials. The notable difference between the two is Essentials has a max local library size limit of 100,000 tracks and does not support DSD. Both devices are Roon servers, so if you have other endpoints in your home they can all be "seen" and controlled from the app and can all access whatever music is connected to the server. There are many other solutions, and many that can be cheaper. But in my opinion if you want to get into the network music game as easily as possible, one of these is a good solution. I am seriously considering the Nucleus to replace my Mac Mini which is having issues syncing with my XMC-1. Your description/review of the unit is correct, except in one area: my understanding is that the $1400 cost of the Nucleus does not include either an annual or a lifetime Roon subscription. I do not know about the Elac, but I wager it is the same. I have many 5.1 files, and the HDMI output makes the Nucleus perfect for surround playback, and the USB is fine for 2.0. The Elac offers only 2.0. If Emo cannot cobble a fix for the V3 board (my Mac Mini worked fine with the earlier board), I am looking to put a Nucleus under the tree in December. |
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DYohn
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Posts: 18,487
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Post by DYohn on Oct 23, 2018 11:07:37 GMT -5
I am seriously considering the Nucleus to replace my Mac Mini which is having issues syncing with my XMC-1. Your description/review of the unit is correct, except in one area: my understanding is that the $1400 cost of the Nucleus does not include either an annual or a lifetime Roon subscription. I do not know about the Elac, but I wager it is the same. I have many 5.1 files, and the HDMI output makes the Nucleus perfect for surround playback, and the USB is fine for 2.0. The Elac offers only 2.0. I stand corrected on the Nucleus. The subscription that ships with it is only a trial. So the $500 cost of a lifetime subscription is additional. The Discovery includes a lifetime Essentials subscription in the price, making it a must less expensive solution if you do not need multichannel via HDMI or DSD. |
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Post by mr on Oct 23, 2018 11:11:56 GMT -5
I am seriously considering the Nucleus to replace my Mac Mini which is having issues syncing with my XMC-1. Your description/review of the unit is correct, except in one area: my understanding is that the $1400 cost of the Nucleus does not include either an annual or a lifetime Roon subscription. I do not know about the Elac, but I wager it is the same. I have many 5.1 files, and the HDMI output makes the Nucleus perfect for surround playback, and the USB is fine for 2.0. The Elac offers only 2.0. I stand corrected on the Nucleus. The subscription that ships with it is only a trial. So the $500 cost of a lifetime subscription is additional. The Discovery includes a lifetime Essentials subscription in the price, making it a must less expensive solution if you do not need multichannel via HDMI or DSD. If the price of the unit included a lifetime sub, I'd be buying it much sooner! |
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DYohn
Emo VIPs
Posts: 18,487
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Post by DYohn on Oct 23, 2018 11:21:05 GMT -5
I stand corrected on the Nucleus. The subscription that ships with it is only a trial. So the $500 cost of a lifetime subscription is additional. The Discovery includes a lifetime Essentials subscription in the price, making it a must less expensive solution if you do not need multichannel via HDMI or DSD. If the price of the unit included a lifetime sub, I'd be buying it much sooner! You might also look at some of the solutions from Small Green Computer that include on board storage, eliminating the need for an external HDD. |
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Post by audiosyndrome on Oct 23, 2018 12:21:30 GMT -5
An Apple TV plus a roon subscription is much cheaper and just as easy a solution.
Russ
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DYohn
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Posts: 18,487
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Post by DYohn on Oct 23, 2018 12:22:34 GMT -5
An Apple TV plus a roon subscription is much cheaper and just as easy a solution. Russ Does Apple TV run Roon Server? |
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Post by audiosyndrome on Oct 23, 2018 12:24:09 GMT -5
Roon endpoint.
Russ
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DYohn
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Posts: 18,487
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Post by DYohn on Oct 23, 2018 12:27:26 GMT -5
Yes. All Apple devices are now endpoints. So what would be your server? That is what my article is about. |
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Post by simpleman68 on Oct 23, 2018 13:10:52 GMT -5
Hugely helpful, thanks David. I have been contemplating this for the last couple years. I'm fairly computer savvy but don't want a lot of hassle with a streaming rig.
We are building an outdoor entertainment area that will have speakers at a variety of listening positions and I want to be able to stream music to them without having to run into the house to change songs etc. Would also be nice to have a rig that a guest can stream their playlist too via Blutooth if they are BT capable or a separate module can be purchased?
Thanks again for some great suggestions that are close to all-in-one deals.  Scott
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Post by creimes on Oct 23, 2018 14:25:46 GMT -5
Hugely helpful, thanks David. I have been contemplating this for the last couple years. I'm fairly computer savvy but don't want a lot of hassle with a streaming rig. We are building an outdoor entertainment area that will have speakers at a variety of listening positions and I want to be able to stream music to them without having to run into the house to change songs etc. Would also be nice to have a rig that a guest can stream their playlist too via Blutooth if they are BT capable or a separate module can be purchased? Thanks again for some great suggestions that are close to all-in-one deals. Scott
Scott forget the mess of equipment just get this party central device man, Boom Boom hahahahahaha |
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Post by simpleman68 on Oct 23, 2018 14:46:06 GMT -5
Hugely helpful, thanks David. I have been contemplating this for the last couple years. I'm fairly computer savvy but don't want a lot of hassle with a streaming rig. We are building an outdoor entertainment area that will have speakers at a variety of listening positions and I want to be able to stream music to them without having to run into the house to change songs etc. Would also be nice to have a rig that a guest can stream their playlist too via Blutooth if they are BT capable or a separate module can be purchased? Thanks again for some great suggestions that are close to all-in-one deals. Scott
Scott forget the mess of equipment just get this party central device man, Boom Boom hahahahahaha I've got the DJ speaker boom deal covered. Snagged a pair of JBL PRX 715 on close out for almost half price. Great for bringing up to the lake house for parties and not bad for SQ Scott
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Post by creimes on Oct 23, 2018 15:07:56 GMT -5
Scott forget the mess of equipment just get this party central device man, Boom Boom hahahahahaha I've got the DJ speaker boom deal covered. Snagged a pair of JBL PRX 715 on close out for almost half price. Great for bringing up to the lake house for parties and not bad for SQ Scott
Very nice, I remember seeing those LG Boom box things and thought you would get a kick out of the video, I pretty much cried from laughing so hard. Chad |
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Post by mr on Oct 23, 2018 15:13:49 GMT -5
An Apple TV plus a roon subscription is much cheaper and just as easy a solution. Russ Does Apple TV run Roon Server? I can Airplay Roon from my iPad (used as a remote and as an endpoint with a Dragonfly DAC to my headphones) through Apple TV. But Apple TV is not a Roon Server.. |
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Post by Soup on Oct 23, 2018 15:50:55 GMT -5
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Post by mr on Oct 23, 2018 15:52:15 GMT -5
I do want to add a few comments: 1. The Roon Essentials software that comes with the Elac Discovery is sorta like "Roon Lite". It works, but does not offer the full slate of features. It is, so far, only available on the Elac device. I do have DSD and multichannel files, so the full featured version is better for me. Amortized monthly, full Roon costs me $10 a month. I am almost 72, so a lifetime sub might not be the best value for me.  2. Roon has quite literally changed how I interact with my music. I ripped all my CDs to FLAC and paid a legal service to rip my SACDs, DVD-As, and Blu-Ray audio discs to FLAC via DSD. 5.1 and 2.0. Bit-perfect playback while leaving your discs in storage. Anyone interested in that service, PM me (I have no interest in that business, except to recommend a superb vendor). And I purchased high res files from online retailers. All of my music, plus Tidal streaming, is at my fingertips. 3. Please understand that sound quality is source specific. Some are wonderful. Most are very good. Some are meh. Just like physical media. 4. One feature I truly love about Tidal is how your selections are seamlessly integrated into your Roon library, as if I owned the file. Plus, Tidal offers a veteran's discount, so my monthly nut is only $11.99 for CD quality and MQA files. 5. Roon's Metadata is amazing. Click and learn, get recommendations, etc. 5. I am a long time Apple stockholder, but Roon truly impresses me. A 30 day free trial is offered. |
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Post by audiosyndrome on Oct 23, 2018 16:39:32 GMT -5
Yes. All Apple devices are now endpoints. So what would be your server? That is what my article is about. In my setup a Mac mini with external USB hard drive. Russ |
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Post by mr on Oct 23, 2018 16:52:20 GMT -5
Yes. All Apple devices are now endpoints. So what would be your server? That is what my article is about. In my setup a Mac mini with external USB hard drive. Russ Does your XMC-1 have the V3 upgrade? My mini switched fine before I had it altered. |
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Post by audiosyndrome on Oct 23, 2018 16:55:00 GMT -5
In my setup a Mac mini with external USB hard drive. Russ Does your XMC-1 have the V3 upgrade? My mini switched fine before I had it altered. No upgrade. Don’t have a 4K TV yet. Russ |
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