I have just purchased Roon Lifetime and have build my own core.
(Intel NUC10, i7, 16GB Ram, 512GB System SSD, 2TB internal SSD, Akasa case fanless)
As endpoint I use a NAD C658 with Audiolab MB8300 monos and Wharfdale Elysian 4. (NAD connected via RAAT and cabled network)
So far all is working perfectly, but I’m hunting for further improvement. I assume that the NAD is the weak spot in my chain, so I developed the following idea:
Replace the NAD and the monos with a Rotel Michi X5.
The Rotel is Roon tested, has as DAC an AKM4495 (!) and meets my requirements.
As my core is without any noise I have it place in the living room next to my system. Therefore I could connect the Rotel directly with an USB cable (1-2m) to the core.
As my core has power enough and the Rotel is a little painful investment I could save a dedicated endpoint for this system in my opinion.
Do I miss something or am I totally wrong?
Is there a disadvantage comparing to a setup with a Roon Ready endpoint in between that is connected via RAAT?
Has anyone experience with the Rotel Michi and can tell me if I can controll the volume within the Roon remote app in such setup?
Just to point out:
The idea is to improve the sound further. If such direct USB connection is not recommended (would be nice to learn why in case) and I need an endpoint in between, I will look for a Lumin or Hifi Rose, but it would be of course nice to save the money and have one device less.
Has nobody experience in using a core as well as an endpoint?
Thanks. I have all network wired and the option to connect the core directly with USB to a Roon tested DAC (would be the X5 if I decide to buy it).
There is no real disadvantage in such setup?
Is it possible to control the volume with the Roon app in such setup?
1 Like
There is nothing really wrong with what you suggest but true best practice is to seperate core, endpoint and remotes per roon. You can read why below;
https://help.roonlabs.com/portal/en/kb/articles/sound-quality
Volume control, yes → means it is in general possible to do it when you’re connecting a DAC directly with USB to the core or does it mean it works with the Rotel Michi X5 or does it work in your setup (which one?)?
1 Like
I’ll borrow a Michi X5 again from my dealer and test it over eastern. Idea is a direct USB connection from my core to the DAC and testing if a) any sound issues and b) how it works in the daily usage.
I’ll give a feedback with my experience here so that others that may struggle with a similar idea have (hopefully) all information they need.
My concern is: if I setup the output of the core to fixed volume I will lose, comparing to todays setup with the roon ready NAD, the comfort of full volume control within Roon remote and have to handle a secondary remote (from the Michi) . BUT: If I don’t, I will have redundant volume control what may have an impact on the sound quality.
THX Menzies. I will test your “50% approach”. That sounds reasonable.
1 Like
Little update:
I have tested to connect the core directly with USB to a Roon tested DAC (Rotel Michi X5).
To make it short:
I will buy tomorrow the X5 as it just sounds amazingly good. No need at all for a Roon bridge or other streaming device.
If the hardware of the Roon Core is a clean and dedicated setup and has a good performance I see no point for an additional device as long as you can place the Core close enough to the DAC.
For the volume adjustment:
I have no yet tested it as I need to get some old speakers for a testing.
The Michi has the option to set the USB to volume fixed, what means that Roon can control it within Roon Remote.
But the actual firmware of the X5 is a little buggy and I will wait for a fix. I will not take the risk and blow my Elysian 4 with the 600S power of the X5 to hell, just due to some bugs in the firmware. So I will test with some ■■■■■■■■ speakers or wait until the firmware is stable and ok.
1 Like