Hello, I am a beginner with this stuff so please bear with me.
I am setting up a stereo system and have most of the hardware figured out. I would like to use Roon to stream music from Tidal or Qobuz.
My first question is about which device to use as the Roon core. I would like to have tablet such as the Surface Pro 6. Would this be a good option?
My other question is does the Roon core device connect directly to the DAC? What does that connection look like?
Thank you in advance!
While the Intel Core i5 or i7 that is present in the Surface Pro 6 models is in line with the hardware recommendations for Roon, the main issue is that Roon Labs strongly recommend that the Roon Server component (formerly known as the Roon Core) be connected with a wired ethernet connection to the network.
The Surface Pro 6 has only a WiFi connection.
It may work with a WiFi connection, but in general you are more likely to run into problems.
Which DAC are you proposing to use? Does it have a USB or ethernet/wifi connection and if it connects to the network, is it Roon Ready?
Having recently migrated to a dedicated Intel NUC running Roon Core, from my previous experience I would strongly recommend a wired ethernet PC / Laptop to act as the server. Bear in mind it will need to be switched on whenever you want to listen.
Start with this and as your Roon journey progresses, consider migrating to a Intel NUC. I changed to this in August 2023 and all the hardware (I went for above min spec recommended) cost me around ÂŁ400 from Amazon. In the world of HiFi, I considered this good value. Itâs worked seamlessly ever since.
Hope that helps!
To add to the beginner questions. I currently run Roon Core storing and playing my music on my PC. I was considering an Intel NUC since the PC can be in sleep mode and I will likely want to start using Roon Remote to play music in other rooms. If I was go down this route would I also need to move my music library ? I also do not currently use Roon ARC because I was concerned about opening a remote connection to my PC. Is a dedicated NUC a more secure solution ?
You only need one local instance of Roon Core/Server on your network, unless there is a special use-case.
Donât worry about opening a port for ARC. I think we can safely trust Roon if setup per their instruction.
Yes, because when your PC is sleeping, an Intel NUC running Roon Server would be unable to access your music content on the PC.
If you are thinking about using ROCK on the Intel NUC, then you would need to purchase a NUC model that has room for a 2.5" drive in order to store your music content.
Yes I understand I only need one instance of Roon Core but was wondering if I would benefit moving from my PC to a NUC.
Okay, so, IMO, yes. A dedicated NUC/Rock install is preferable to a shared setup, especially if you want to use ARC. Start here: Roon Optimized Core Kit.
A NUC with ROCK with an internal SSD Is a compact unit, ROCK once installed self manages.
The ROCK shows on your network and you can simply drag n drop files to its drive
Itâs tiny and mostly quiet and with a self contained drive a brilliant way to use as a Roon server
For eg mine is the 10i7 tall unit, 32GB RAM, 4Tb SSD (the spec depends on your library size, my local library is quite big hence my choices) unless itâs actively loading and analysing music it is silent
I moved from a desktop to the NUC around 18 months ago, not touched it since
I am planning on using a Schiit DAC which are all roon ready.
Er, are you sure? According to this page, the listed DACs are Roon Tested - which is NOT the same as Roon Ready.
Im sorry, you are right, i thought i saw it somewhere on schiitâs website.
On schiits site it says all Dacs are roon ready. Schiit Audio: Audio Products Designed and Built in Texas and California
That appears to be a miscommunication by Schitt. Roon Ready means that a network device supports the Roon RAAT protocol natively and can be configured and controlled to a much finer level of detail from within Roon. Roon Ready also means that the device can be grouped with other Roon Ready devices and remain synchronized.
Devices that are Roon Tested means that they support Appleâs AirPlay or Google Chromecast (or even Squeezebox and some other protocols) and can be grouped within the same type of device (e.g., all AirPlay to each other, but not mixing AirPlay and Chromecast devices), and do not natively support the RAAT protocol.
Typically, DACs that are not network streamers donât require direct support or testing by Roon, but OEMs may want to test with Roon to ensure compatability. I canât speak for Schitt, but it appears that they may have tested some of their devices, but Schitt still requires a network streamer to connect to the Roon RAAT network protocol (or natively if directly connected via USB, which all DACs should support).
Schitt is full of it. Roon Ready is not USB.
AJ
What he said ^
Yeah, Schiit DACs are Roon âReadyâ, i.e. theyâre ready to connect to a Roon streamer, like (as the ad copy mentioned) an RPi. They donât have a network port.
Someone needs to tell Schiit they are mis-using the term âRoon Readyâ.
I think I will. Probably wonât do any good.
You can get a USB-c to Rj45 network adapter to provide a more sound network interface. That being said, a wifi 5 AC 5ghz network link should also suffice although AC6 would be better.
Most DACs would connect to the Surface Pro using USB. An alternative is to add a device (cheap low power Windows or Linux NUC or Raspberry Pi) as a roon bridge which connects to the DAC via USB. The NUC connects to the network and is seen by Roon.
So you still have to have a seperate device to run roon core?
No. Roon core can run on most x86 devices ie. windows or Linux PC with Intel or AMD processor whether acknowledged by Roon or not. However, ideally it needs to be always on and permanently attached to the network (ideally wired) for connectivity to the various devices. Also for remote ARC support. Roon core also demands internet access.
If it is close to your audio rack then it should be silent. Most DACs connect over USB although a few are âRoon readyâ - built in network RAAT support (eg. Chromecast and Gustard R26) and can be connected over the network.
Roon music access can be controlled from a PC, tablet or phone.
For example I have a dedicated headless PC always on running Roon Rock in my server room. I can then run Roon on my Office PC. to access the Roon Core and usb connected devices. I also have a Windows HTPC in my lounge which likewise has a USB DAC connected to my Denon 3700h AVR. The HTPC can also play music through HDMI to my Denon 3700h AVR. I could also optionally have a simple NUC in my lounge running roon bridge and connected to my AVR and or USB DAC. Roon core can also network connect âroon readyâ (built in Raat support) devices such as a Chromecast. I would then manage Roon using a tablet, phone or notebook.