Newbie setting up!

Audio Gear Talk
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Hi - just bought a music room dedicated tablet and downloaded Roon / signed up for Qobuz and Tidal. Love the interface - then discover that I need a Roon core up so:

#1- will go out and buy a mac mini as a core. (i have my business laptop as a core rn, but it is not a long term solution)
#2 - will buy a dedicated DAC. leaning towards a wiess 204 - but might go Schitt bitfrost

question - do I just connect my mac mini (with roon core installed) to the internet, and then connect the DAC to the mini via USB?? and use my tablet as the controller? is it that easy (and expensive :wink:

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@Jay_Thornton, welcome to the Community. Yes, you basically have the configuration correct with a new Mac mini as your Core and a USB-attached DAC as an endpoint option. Roon has two options for running a Core from a Mac or PC:

  1. Install the full Mac Roon image and install it, providing a GUI and the Roon Server functionality for your Roon Core on the mini, which then can be controlled and accessed by other Roon Remotes from other Macs, PCs, and mobile phones and tablets.

  2. Install the Roonserver image which typically is used in headless (no monitor directly attached) installation. This then is controlled by Roon Remotes, but needs a Mac or PC Remote to fully access all the Core options (the mobile Roon Remote app has almost, but not all the same functionality as a Mac or PC Remote).

I have used Macs and PCs for my Core for years and for new users recommend to install the full download until you decide if a headless solution may be an option for you.

Roon also allows for streaming across cabled Ethernet and wireless WiFi networks and devices, not only USB-attached devices. Your options for playing music across your home are pretty unlimited once you are set up with your Core, and ARC now allows for playing your library to your mobile phone outside your home.

Does this help?

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You could also read this article:

… and the other related articles.

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Thanks so much Robert - yes I definitely want to go headless - I saw some other posts on how to do that correctly.

The connection from Roon server to DAC had me puzzled - thanks for clearing that up!

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Hi Robert - one last question - I’m attaching the Roonserver to a DAC via USB, then to my amp. If I buy a DAC that isn’t listed as supported will it still work, or will I have to add on a streamer or the like for roon to broadcast to it.

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@Jay_Thornton, if the DAC is directly connected via USB to the Core (i.e., the Mac mini) and then connected to the amplifier, you should be fine. USB DACs do not need to be ceritifed by Roon, they just need to ensure they are seen by the host OS (for Macs, it would be rare that a DAC is not identified and functioning).

The only time you need to ensure something is Roon Ready or Roon Tested is for network-attached devices such as streamers, network preamplifiers, and all-in-one devices that are connected via Ethernet cable or WiFi.

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