Hello!
I am looking for a one box roon core / endpoint, as I’d like to reduce the amount of boxes in my setup. I know of Grimm Audio MU1 & MU2 and Mytek Brooklyn Bridge II. I only need a digital output in the device; preferable USB, alternatively SPDIF. I consider using my Cirrus 7 Nimbini nuc as a server/ endpoint, but would like a device made for audio. I would be grateful for any suggestions.
Best regards Lars
Roon’s own Nucleus One meets that criteria…
Thank you.
As I dont have I2S input om my DAC, I’m afraid it wont offer me anything different from my Cirrus 7 fanless nuc.
Well yes, technically it won’t, but you wouldn’t expect any modern computer capable of running Roon to offer an advantage there - unless you’re looking for a device that can also support Airplay / Chromecast etc..
I guess I took “but would like a device made for audio” as meaning you were looking for something without a fan, that would look visually / aesthetically nicer in your living room than your current NUC, otherwise yes… why would you not just stick with the NUC if it’s already fan-less.
I apologize for not being totally clear on what I’m asking for. Except for the devices I mentioned from Mytek and Grimm, I’m not sure that it exists. A server and endpoint in one box with digital output that has an effective clock, galvanic isolation to reduce jitter etc. I hope it makes sense.
Best regards Lars
Suggest you read this thread before putting any Mytek products on your shortlist.
Any modern computer would have USB ports. And there still are sound cards that might have coax or optical S/PDIF.
As long as the clock in the DAC is good enough, any asynchronous input (like USB) could not care less about the clock in the source. And even with synchronous connections any decent modernm DAC would reclock them anyway.
These are two completely different and unrelated things, and jitter (for reasons above) hasn’t been a problem (unless one uses something silly, like I2S into a very “audiophile” but very low quality DAC) for many years. If electric noise over USB is an issue (most likely it isn’t) it’s probably a not too well designed DAC, but can be fixed with a $30 USB isolator box.
The cirrus7 is fanless and looks very nice IMHO 
Thank you. I read it already. An extremely frustrating experience. You have my sympathy!
As much as I appreciate your insight it does not point me in the direction of an nuc alternative.
Best regards Lars
Yes, thank you. I may just stick with that.
I believe the point was that you don’t really need an alternative, at least not for any audio reasons.
There is this
“https://nadac.merging.com/product/merging-player”
But, in each of these products, you have a PC inside, sometime with a DAC; which to me is the opposite of keeping noisy PC processing away from the digital to audio stage.
The original Roon suggested setup was a Core that was far away from the listening area, presumably right next to the router or switch, a low powered ethernet Endpoint that feeds a DAC. IMHO, this is still the best way to implement a Roon setup.
Edit, OR, if your DAC has an ethernet IN, that works as well and you can dispense with the endpoint.
$13K, €16K 
Thank you!
WiiM Ultra amp
Are you sure the WiiM Ultra amp has a “Roon server” onboard? When was it “added”?
It does not it is just an endpoint.
It’s obvious!
[moderated]
My bad…I thought @Lars_Lidsmoes wanted an endpoint. — I’m not advertising anything…