Ok, this eejit just bit the bullet and ordered an NUC 13ANHi5 to replace my older NUC core. Except I didn’t realise I’d ordered an ASUS NUC, not an Intel one. Doh.
It’s not on the officially supported list yet, has anyone got any experience of it (or other ASUS NUCs) before I break the seal and open the box. I’m so tempted to, but I bought it as an appliance and don’t want to start fiddling around to get it to work. Better to return it now…
I knew Intel had stopped building them - clearly ordering the ASUS one was a senior moment. The Intel 13 versions are supported now - at least I did that bit of homework right. The question is how the ASUS ones differ from the Intel ones. Probably in BIOS, I also read something about the networking card and about HDMI. All of which make it a no-go for ROCK, and I’m not a tweaker so won’t go the MOCK route. Giving me three options I think - run it on Windows (extra cost), on Linux (difficult to setup for me) or return it.
I don’t know if this will help as I don’t have exactly the same model as you: I use a Barebone NUC 12 Pro Kit NUC12WSHi5 Tall from ASUS. I have installed the latest version of the normal ASUS firmware. Then I installed ROCK:
Operation System - Version 2.1 (build 271) production
Roon Server Software - Version 2.0 (build 1462) production
I don’t need HDMI: But all connections are displayed as audio interfaces in Roon.
Hi @Phil_Wright?
Have you been able to read the topic I suggested? In there, someone is using the Asus NUC 13 as ROCK-server. That’s why I proposed to look in this topic.
Kind regards, Frank.
Thanks for persevering with me I re-read that thread and couldn’t see specific reference to an ASUS NUC13, only Intel ones. I may be missing something though…
Thanks, that’s useful to know. The Intel version of your model is on the supported ROCK list, as is mine. So one would assume the Asus version works the same as yours does. I’m just nervous about having to tinker all the time. As Roon (quite rightly) stresses, it may work now but may not in the future. And with software updates coming so frequently these days I’m reluctant to risk it. I have no need for HDMI either by the way.
Use DietPi for PC makes it a snap for Linux. Once the minimal Linux Debian OS is installed and runs, it has a menu that allows you to choose what else you want to install. Just choose RoonServer, and, if so inclined Roon Extension Manager. Done. Quick / Easy and is now the version of choice over ROCK, for me and others.
So I’ve installed DietPi on RPis before but thought it was only for SBCs, not ‘proper’ PCs like an NUC. And as I said, my tech knowledge is limited, so a few questions…
Does DietPi run on Linux Debian? If so are both installed when you write the downloaded image to the NUC?
And if yes, which of the downloads on this page do I use, it isn’t clear
Um, you could first try installing ROCK on your new Asus NUC - I believe it will work. Of course, it will be a MOCK system until Roon Labs pull their fingers out and add Asus models to the supported list.
And if it doesn’t work, then the PC version of DietPi will be your lifesaver…
Phil I moved from Rock to DietPi back in Feb this year and it has been a great experience so far.
If you can install Rock then you can install DietPi and it works great and is kept up to date with patches and is easy to manage through it nice menu system.
I run Roon, LMS and Plex Server as well as output now playing to my TV over HDMI
So, this has been an extremely useful discussion, thanks to all those involved. I think I’m going to go the ROCK/MOCK route first on the basis that I know ROCK and it will probably work.
Knowing that there’s the DietPi option as a backup reassures me. To the point I’m tempted to try it anyway (I know, I said I don’t like tinkering!).
And if all else fails I can add another 8Mb memory and go the Windows 11 route (the NUC I got has 8mb already).
On the DietPi option, I presume it caters for backing up the database automatically. Is that correct? And I’ll need to load my current database to start with. Again I’m presuming that’s not too difficult.
DietPi IS Linux Debian just with a preset minimal lightweight installation. After you finish the install which is about the same time to do as ROCK, you have some available menus to add or remove programs to the install. While Roon Server and Roon Extension Manager are options, there are also options for NAA (HQPlayer endpoint), for example.
DietPi is just a lightweight Debian linux install; and then using the menu you can install the Linux RoonServer which is the same thing that runs on ROCK. No difference with the RoonServer.
However, because you are using an OS which is not locked down, you can then use the internal drive to be location to do backups, ROCK needs either an external drive or a network location. AND, you can use one large drive and store your music on it. ROCK requires 2 drives, one for the OS and the other for music files only (no database backups on either).
Or use Windows, I do for one of my servers and have since Roon launched. If you go the Windows route, look to see if you can get your hands on Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC. It has no bloat, is supported until 2029 and is super stable and solid. It only gets security updates, so, no new features or updates to break anything.