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Post by brubacca on Aug 5, 2019 10:13:59 GMT -5
I finally broke down and entered into a month trial for Roon.
My initial experience (literally last night) is kind of positive.
It was easy to work. I like that playlists translate between remotes. I also like that I can use different devices (MicroRendu, Squeezebox Touch, Volumio, OPPO Sonica Speaker).
I had heard that it was the best sounding audio mode for the Sonore MicroRendu, but my initial listening doesn't agree with this.
My server is an Asustor 3102t NAS (Dual Core Celeron 2GB Ram) with a USB 3.0 SSD for the Database.
I'm sure I need to optimize the roon setup, but my main question is:
Does Server Hardware dictate audio quality? Basically I believe that my server hardware is the minimum required. Could this be effecting the audio quality?
Before I get too far into it I'd like to resolve this part. I have an older Core i5 computer with XPENOLOGY loaded on it (its a hack/open source of Synology operating system). I was hoping to retire this computer, but I guess I could move roon to it. (Either within the Synology software or reload with an appropriate server software)
I've only got a 30 day trial so I need to be diligent.
Regards,
Thoughts? Experiences?
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Post by wilburthegoose on Aug 5, 2019 11:55:22 GMT -5
I'm running Roon Server on an Asus Windows 10 PC - works perfectly. Some specs:
1. Main drive is a 3tb SSD (it worked fine with a hard disc too)
2. I have 32 Gb of memory
3. Intel i5 - 4 CPU
It's not a fancy PC by any means.
You'll get better answers over at the Roon forum or by asking Roon yourself there.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Aug 5, 2019 12:08:23 GMT -5
I'm sure I need to optimize the roon setup, but my main question is: Does Server Hardware dictate audio quality? Basically I believe that my server hardware is the minimum required. Could this be effecting the audio quality? Before I get too far into it I'd like to resolve this part. I have an older Core i5 computer with XPENOLOGY loaded on it (its a hack/open source of Synology operating system). I was hoping to retire this computer, but I guess I could move roon to it. (Either within the Synology software or reload with an appropriate server software) There will be people who say it does matter and some who say it doesn't. Frankly, I don't know if it does or not. I have a cheap old Dell 660s that is my Roon Core. I was using it to play Tidal and jRiver via USB to my DAC directly. Then, I tried a microRendu then bought an ultraRendu and started using Roon with the Dell 660s being the core but pumping tunes via my intranet to the Rendu products. I immediately noticed sound quality improvements. I then took the Rendu out of the equation and compared Roon, Tidal, and jRiver via USB out of the Dell 660 to my DAC via USB. I heard no sonic differences between any of the sources this way, so I concluded the software (among these 3 options) didn't matter - but the Rendu (via ethernet and USB out to my DAC) did matter (and was positive). Could my sound be better with a better computer as the Roon Core? Maybe...but I have not yet tried. I would love to try something like the rendu SonicTransporter to see if that made a difference or not. If I were you, I'd spend the first part of the 30 days mainly deciding if Roon is the interface for you or not. If it is, down the road you can always vary hardware and see what difference that makes. Mark |
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Aug 5, 2019 12:27:17 GMT -5
I agree with the above, although I will say that Roon running on a dedicated Linux server that is WAY overbuilt if you go by the specs created a much better sound quality in my system than LMS running on the same server. I can't explain it but it's true and my wife also noticed. So, YMMV of course, but I subscribe to the theory that a hot rod server is better than a bare-bones server at least for ROON.
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Post by brubacca on Aug 5, 2019 14:45:32 GMT -5
I don't think that the Server is an issue. I just ran two streams and only had 22% CPU and 53% memory usage. I doubt the server will multitask much, but I don't think its a problem.
I'll still have that i5 if I want to transition it, but for now I'd like to reduce the amount of PCs on the electric all the time.
I didn't see a ton of options to turn off replay gain and that sort of thing. I'll have to investigate.
The other bummer is my old iPad is to old to run the rune control ios app. Its an iPad 2. I'll have to look for a cheap tablet. I got that one from work for $15.
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Post by vcautokid on Aug 5, 2019 14:50:22 GMT -5
I am looking at some Linux distros for a music server myself. I miss tinkering with linux.
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Aug 5, 2019 15:27:37 GMT -5
I am looking at some Linux distros for a music server myself. I miss tinkering with linux. I can recommend Vortexbox, even though it does run on an older distro of Fedora. It is rock solid. |
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Aug 5, 2019 15:30:50 GMT -5
I didn't see a ton of options to turn off replay gain and that sort of thing. I'll have to investigate. I've not seen much in the way of changing audio settings either. All I have seen is going into "settings", "audio", then click on the "gear" icon by a device and choose "device setup". Even going to "Advanced" there's not much there. But frankly, I've not needed it. If you are having audio quality issues, they only thing I can think of to ask you is "what are you using for volume control"? The computer, Roon, your DAC, a preamp? I have Roon set to "fixed volume" and use other devices (my XMC-1 or one of my headphone amps) to control volume. This ensures I don't have some bad digital volume control causing audio issues. Mark |
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Post by Loop 7 on Aug 5, 2019 15:34:17 GMT -5
I was running Roon Server (core) on a Mac Mini but, a few months ago, I migrated over to using an Intel NUC running R.O.C.K. (Roon Optimized Core Kit) which is just fantastic. Naysayers welcome but I heard a substantial difference. Roon Optimized Core Kit |
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Post by wilburthegoose on Aug 6, 2019 7:34:32 GMT -5
ROCK is the way to go.
PS - I have an ultraRendu, which I think sounds amazing (into my XMC-1)
I'm also using a Raspberry Pi for my home office feeding an old Denon AVR.
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Post by tropicallutefisk on Aug 6, 2019 7:44:31 GMT -5
I was running Roon Server (core) on a Mac Mini but, a few months ago, I migrated over to using an Intel NUC running R.O.C.K. (Roon Optimized Core Kit) which is just fantastic. Naysayers welcome but I heard a substantial difference. Roon Optimized Core KitProbably a dumb question... Is the NUC used exclusively for Roon or can you still use it as a computer? The reason I ask is that I too am contemplating adding Roon, but I'm also in need of a new computer to download music and manage my NAS. Also, how do you control the NUC? |
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Post by LuisV on Aug 6, 2019 7:59:56 GMT -5
I run Roon core as a VM with 4 cores and 4GB RAM with a 100GB vdisk from my unRAID NAS server (Ryzen 1800x CPU, 32GB RAM). You can spin up a VM via Virtual Box (free) on any Mac or Windows PC to try it out. Cost wise, I've read that newer NUCs are a great alternative to a Nucleus as it's basically a twaeked NUC, but since my NAS is on 24/7 I spun up an Ubuntu VM and thus far I haven't had an issue.
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Aug 6, 2019 9:02:42 GMT -5
I was running Roon Server (core) on a Mac Mini but, a few months ago, I migrated over to using an Intel NUC running R.O.C.K. (Roon Optimized Core Kit) which is just fantastic. Naysayers welcome but I heard a substantial difference. Roon Optimized Core KitProbably a dumb question... Is the NUC used exclusively for Roon or can you still use it as a computer? The reason I ask is that I too am contemplating adding Roon, but I'm also in need of a new computer to download music and manage my NAS. Also, how do you control the NUC? NUC is a music server and not used for any other purpose, which is how it should be for a music server. Roon (and most other music servers) is controlled using the app from another computer, phone or tablet on the network. |
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Post by brubacca on Aug 6, 2019 10:59:26 GMT -5
Over on the Roon Labs community I saw people loading MOCK servers, that is ROCK on their own non-nuc hardware.
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Post by LuisV on Aug 6, 2019 11:43:49 GMT -5
As Mark said, some will say there isn't an audible difference and some say there is... best to try yourself and see what works best for you. I want the VM route as a test and thus far, I find it perfectly fine for my needs.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Aug 6, 2019 14:27:54 GMT -5
I was running Roon Server (core) on a Mac Mini but, a few months ago, I migrated over to using an Intel NUC running R.O.C.K. (Roon Optimized Core Kit) which is just fantastic. Naysayers welcome but I heard a substantial difference. Roon Optimized Core KitProbably a dumb question... Is the NUC used exclusively for Roon or can you still use it as a computer? The reason I ask is that I too am contemplating adding Roon, but I'm also in need of a new computer to download music and manage my NAS. Also, how do you control the NUC? I have my Roon Core on my Dell because that's the PC I use for DIRAC. If I were to switch to a ROCK, I'd have to do something different for when I want to run DIRAC. But it does sound fun to build a ROCK. Mark |
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Post by geeqner on Aug 6, 2019 14:30:12 GMT -5
Depending upon what Linux Distros it will run under or not - At work, we've been experimenting with a product from a company called "PC Engines" www.pcengines.ch/apu2.htmThey have a bit more processing power than the typical Raspberry Pi - plus support for better solid-state drive options and high network stability (all for less than $200US). They seem to be a REALLY well-engineered / STABILE platform. We have found them to be considerably more stable than the NUC - requiring nearly NO "babysitting" (set it up, let it run and mostly forget about it) If there is a Unix / Linux version of roon server, this little critter may be just the ticket. |
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Aug 6, 2019 15:06:37 GMT -5
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Post by wilburthegoose on Aug 6, 2019 20:27:07 GMT -5
PS. A simple Win 10 PC works too...
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Post by Loop 7 on Aug 8, 2019 17:45:54 GMT -5
tropicallutefisk - as DYohn explained Roon ROCK takes over the computer, in most cases an Intel NUC. Aside from a lightweight web control panel, the server is controlled via Roon remote. I know it's silly but I noticed a marked sound improvement but also interesting was performance - scanning new content and overall responsiveness is like lightning. 
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