Roon, Just Roon

[morphsci]

So I have been running Roon as my go to audio software for listening to my digital library and integrating it with Tidal and Qobuz. The software works very well and they have kept upgrades. I have been using a 2018 Mac mini to run my Roon server and it has worked very well though not without a few hiccups in keeping it running on a continuous basis. A picture of that setup is below.

It consisted of the mac mini and a 10 TB USB disk to hold my library and Roon backups, a 27” monitor, wireless keyboard and mouse. The previous generation of Roon nucleus appliances were quite pricey compared to the Mac mini so I never really considered buying one. However when they announced the Nucleus One for $499 that changed everything. The nucleus has an advantage over the Mac mini as you can install an additional drive internally to hold your library so even with my $600 8TB SSD the price was actually less than the Mac mini and external USB drive. Obviously the Mac is capable of doing more than the Nucleus but I was only using it as a Roon server. So the primary goal was to simplify the setup and hopefully provide a more stable platform with higher up time. Replacing the Mac with the Nucleus One allowed me to get rid of the pieces below.

This is all now doing duty as an additional workstation in our guest room. The new audio system is below.

It has been very reliable and has been running continuously as long as power and the network is up. It also comes back up with absolutely no intervention when power/network connectivity is restored. It has also motivated me to reconfigure my network as we have both a personal network as well as the University network. Prior to this last week neither my Ropiee devices nor Roon Arc worked. But after a weeks worth of network reconfiguring and port forwarding hell, everything works correctly. I now have the Oppo attached directly to the network via a Ropiee device and I was able to use my iPad to connect to my Roon server from work using Roon Arc. I am happy with the purchase and most people with standard home networks should be able to get everything working in a day. The longest part will be transferring your library to the internal disk if you decide to go that route. It does have two USB ports on the back so you can also use an external disk.

EDIT Note. Corrected price of Nucleus one from $599 to $499

[skullguise]

Very cool, Jim!  And yes, the new unit is a great price.  The previous units could be bettered by a cheaper NUC running Roon Rock for about 1/3 to 1/2 the price.  Smart of Roon to recognize and deal with that.

I use a NUC at home with a 2TB internal SSD, and a NUC in Maine with a 3TB (I think) external drive.  Both work well and as you say come up quickly and easily after shutdown or power loss.

[swt61]

(I'll pretend I understand half of that)

[jpelg]

On 7/17/2024 at 12:06 AM, morphsci said:

I now have the Oppo attached directly to the network via a Ropiee device

Given that everything is on the same rack, in close proximity, is there a benefit to this vs. connecting the Nucleus One to the DAC directly via USB?

(pls forgive any misunderstanding, as I know nothing about Roon or network audio)

Edited July 18 by jpelg

[morphsci]

In its present configuration there is no advantage in having the Oppo connect via Ropiee directly to the network. However, the Oppo will eventually be replaced with a minDSP SHD so I can use Dirac Live since I now listen mostly with speakers. The Oppo will be moved down to my bedroom so I can listen via headphones at night. The network connection will make its move totally seamless.

Edited July 18 by morphsci

[Voltron]

I fully admit to being mostly out of it on the state of streaming and Roon especially, but I'm confused by your decision to get the Nucleus One and the miniDSP SHD, because the description of the latter makes it sound duplicative. In that setup does the Nucleus One run Roon software and manage your files and then the miniDSP SHD is your dac and preamp? Without the Nucleus One, would you need a computer even if you have the miniDSP and network drives?

If I already have a dac and preamp, can I just get the Nucleus One and a drive to run Roon and play files, along with Tidal, Qobuz or Spotify through it and into the existing system that is not Roon ready? I guess my question boils down to that--does the output from the Nucleus One still require a Roon ready dac/streamer/preamp?

[swt61]

Those are questions that I'm also interested in.

[dsavitsk]

@Voltron for roon, you need a server and a streamer. The nucleus one is a server (it's just a small computer in a fancy box). It can also work as a streamer so long as you have a dac that can take it's output (USB or HDMI). You can then also add additional streamers for other systems.

For an existing DAC that is coax/toslink only, you'd need some sort of USB to spdif converter, or a stand alone streamer.

Edited July 19 by dsavitsk

[Voltron]

Thanks Doug. Jim was talking about using Tidal and Qobuz with the Nucleus One so it can stream those if you have a USB dac?

[dsavitsk]

Yes. Roon acts as a library aggregator. So it will combine everything you have stored locally with everything on the services you subscribe to. You don't have to worry about what is where, you just play it. The system will figure out where to get the file.

Edited July 19 by dsavitsk

[swt61]

[morphsci]

Yes to what Doug said. If you have a digital library then Roon is very useful. So the Nucleus One acts as my server, you tell it where your digital files are and it aggregates those into a library for you. You also tell it what services you have, which includes Tidal and Qobuz here in the States, and also makes those libraries available to you in Roon. You  can use any Windows, Mac or Linux computer as you server as well as several different NAS systems. When you are listening you can also call up Lyrics, songwriting and performing details, etc. and you can then branch out from a particular song to listen to other similar style music within your library or services. So what you listen on can be any zone within your area. So my current zones include the Oppo and then my KEF LSX speakers. The reason they are set up separately is that the Oppo also connects to my Headphone amps. I control the Nucleus One output from one of my computers which also are running Roon or from my iPad which runs an iPad version of Roon Remote. I could also run Roon remote from my phone but I am old and benefit from a bigger screen and keyboard. There is also another program, Roon Arc that allows me to access my Roon server (the nucleus one) from outside my local network. So I have been able to access my Roon library from my iPad at work, airplaying to my office speakers as well as listening in my car while tooling around VT on my phone using Roon Arc on Carplay. Roon Arc is still a bit primitive as it is only available as a mobile IOS or android app. They do not even have a separate iPad OS version. So if you have a digital library, Roon works well and allows you to access your digital library easily from anyplace on your local network as well as from off network as long as you have a network connection. I am in no way an IT guru so I consider it a pretty good testament to its effectiveness. Most streamers are Roon capable at least and you can use a Ropiee appliance or any number of commercial products such as the Pecan Pi’s to make any DAC Roon capable. Anything you have connected to a computer you are using to run Roon automatically becomes a Roon endpoint. 

Edited July 19 by morphsci

[morphsci]

So I bought a pair of Edifier S1000W Wireless Speakers for our rec room, which we call, “The Lodge Room” for obvious reasons as seen below

They use the wireless network and connect through Roon using airplay2. Pretty easy setup. Plugged the speaker in and connected the other pair, turned them on, downloaded the Edifier Home app to my ipad, connected the speakers to my network using the app, opened Roon, renamed the speakers, set them as the audio output zone and we now have music in the lodge room. Not exactly audiophile quality, but for their purpose, background music for gatherings and while I am puttering around downstairs, they work pretty well.

A question: How do I rename this topic to just “Roon”?

Edit: Dan, thank you for an excellent renaming.

Edited July 23 by morphsci

[Voltron]

Ask @n_maher or @grawk to rename it. 

[justin]

On 7/18/2024 at 8:26 PM, Voltron said:

I fully admit to being mostly out of it on the state of streaming and Roon especially, but I'm confused by your decision to get the Nucleus One and the miniDSP SHD, because the description of the latter makes it sound duplicative. In that setup does the Nucleus One run Roon software and manage your files and then the miniDSP SHD is your dac and preamp? Without the Nucleus One, would you need a computer even if you have the miniDSP and network drives?

If I already have a dac and preamp, can I just get the Nucleus One and a drive to run Roon and play files, along with Tidal, Qobuz or Spotify through it and into the existing system that is not Roon ready? I guess my question boils down to that--does the output from the Nucleus One still require a Roon ready dac/streamer/preamp?

if you still have the Brooklyn Bridge you can use it with a Roon core..if a device isn't Roon certified, you can still use it if it supports AirPlay, Chromecast, or USB (by plugging it into a computer or a WiFi/LAN to USB adapter aka 'Roon end point'). Computers don't need to be Roon certified and this includes this like NUCs

get on Roon now!

Edited July 23 by justin

[Voltron]

I have it still and I know I should be on Roon but I'm very lazy and don't spend too much time listening to music. 🫤

[skullguise]

Pretty much all of my music at home and in Maine goes through Roon.  Pi-based players, standalone speakers (Elac, BluSound, KEF), and a bunch of other gear.  It's just so easy, and you can play around with EQ per endpoint as well....  I'm still on the annual plan, but should see about lifetime at this point.

 

[justin]

I've thought about making a pocketable, portable amp for Roon, does anyone have any ideas for a name?

[Grahame]

6 minutes ago, justin said:

I've thought about making a pocketable, portable amp for Roon, does anyone have any ideas for a name?

Gemini says ...

Here are 10 bulleted suggestions for a catchy and memorable name for your portable Roon amp:

 

RoonPuck: This name playfully combines "Roon" with "Puck," a small and nimble mythical creature, alluding to the amp's portability.

RoamRoon: This option emphasizes the freedom to "Roam" with your Roon thanks to the portability of the amp.

PocketMaestro: This name combines "Pocket" with "Maestro," signifying that you can conduct the music anywhere you go with this compact amplifier.

R-Mini: This keeps it simple and directly references Roon with a designation of its miniature size.

RoonRafale: This name is a combination of "Roon" and "Rafale" (French for "burst"), suggesting a powerful and surprising output from a small device.

R-Bit: This short and catchy name incorporates "R" for Roon and "Bit" for the digital nature of audio.

RoonGo: This straightforward option combines "Roon" with "Go" to highlight the portability aspect.

Tiny Maestro: Similar to Pocket Maestro, this emphasizes the small size and control over the music.

RoonAmp Mini: This descriptive name clearly states the function and size of the device.

StreamMini: This general name indicates a portable streaming device and allows for broader use beyond just Roon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[justin]

I was thinking maybe Roonba or the poon as a Neil Young/Schitt homage

[Grahame]

Will it come in tangy orange?

 

Edited July 24 by Grahame

[morphsci]

I kinda like Roon Poon. I would probably buy one just for the name.

[dsavitsk]

Funcooker!

 

[rod]

I  got lifetime in 2018 and a nucleus+ rev A , it is good but Roon support ,which is on the Roon community site is not the best, they seem to place it as a premium product but rely on users to carry the load of support. I thought that harman buying them up might make things improve  but it seems not.

I have on the whole had only minor problems with it now and again as they tend to introduce updates to fix bugs  that introduce new bugs almost every time.

It is totally dependent on how you use it and what with that will decide if you have problems or not being  as there are so many systems with different operating systems and equipment.

For example, the most recent update means that I have to turn my DAC (T+A)off and  on several times for it to pick up and play music. This was a bug in an earlier iteration which was fixed and now seems to be back again.

when it is working it is great. 

Edited July 24 by rod

[morphsci]

11 hours ago, skullguise said:

I'm still on the annual plan, but should see about lifetime at this point.

 

That is exactly where I am at this point. I have until December to decide.

4 hours ago, rod said:

I  got lifetime in 2018 and a nucleus+ rev A , it is good but Roon support ,which is on the Roon community site is not the best, they seem to place it as a premium product but rely on users to carry the load of support. I thought that harman buying them up might make things improve  but it seems not.

I have on the whole had only minor problems with it now and again as they tend to introduce updates to fix bugs  that introduce new bugs almost every time.

It is totally dependent on how you use it and what with that will decide if you have problems or not being  as there are so many systems with different operating systems and equipment.

For example, the most recent update means that I have to turn my DAC (T+A)off and  on several times for it to pick up and play music. This was a bug in an earlier iteration which was fixed and now seems to be back again.

when it is working it is great. 

I also agree about Roon support. My longest running problem was getting Roon Arc to work for me. To be fair it was basically a network configuration issue so not sure they could have done more for me than the few clues they provided. My other disappointment is that they only have IOS and Android versions of Roon Arc, not even an iPad version so I do not get to use the screen real estate on it. Pretty minor for me but still the lack of support is a negative point for many. The community is pretty helpful though.

Edited July 24 by morphsci