Roon End-Point Simplicity

Audio Gear Talk
23

Thanks for the contribution.

24

I think Iā€™m going to try the iFi (https://ifi-audio.com/products/zen-stream/) which seems the closest UK option to the Sonore and see how it compares to the Bluesound Node X that I currently own.

For separate reasons of interest to this post, I may have a play with a Raspberry Pi for fun also.

Thanks for everyoneā€™s input.

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25

Not quite the answer to your question but I would consider the KEF LS50 or 60 wireless iiā€™s the simplest of ROON Ready solutions. These speakers include the streamer, DAC, Amplifier and support most streaming services. The only thing you need is an internet connection. There are other manufactures also including the PSB Alpha iQ getting into this segment. Sound quality is extremely good.

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26

The RaspberryPi does not sound. A Raspberry Pi used with RoPieee/RoonBridge gets digital music data via LAN/WiFi (ā€žbit perfectā€œ) and just sends this data via USB to a DAC. The only part which could bring errors is the USB cable between Pi and DAC because there is no error correction, just a stream.
So nobody needs to buy a snake oil device for thousands of $ as an Roon endpoint.

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27

Zen uses basically a Raspberry Pi, so think twice

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28

You can say the same about any streaming device including the LS60s at Ā£5k. Everything that streams has a board inside it with a processor in it.

The Zen Stream is a dedicated streaming device running a dedicated OS with high quality Audio components in it and is run by many users on this forum.

Unlike a Pi it only has one function (as a streamer). I have multiple Piā€™s (including two with audio hats), a WIIM Pro plus and a Zen Stream and it is easily the best quality of the external streamers I have. It has settled down after a bad start with the software and runs really well for many of us.
Hopefully @Oliver_Buxton you will be very happy with your purchase

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30

Yes, there is no need for such devices. There is no need to ā€œimprove sound quality and eradicate noise, distortion and hissā€œ because such errors are not present in computer network connections. Even Zen has to use a standard USB connection to the DAC.

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31

Hmmm . . . I dunno about that. Itā€™s sounding pretty good to me right now :wink:

32

I see on the iFi website the Zen Stream has:

  • SB and S/PDIF interfaces regulated by femto-precision GMT clock to eradicate jitter
  • Active Noise Cancellation II and iPurifier technologies for USB and S/PDIF interfaces respectively
  • Intelligent Ethernet switch controller
  • High-PSRR, low idle current, low-dropout voltage regulators with soft start
  • Synchronous 1.6MHz high-speed precision power supply controller
  • C0G capacitors and Taiyo Yuden and Murata low ESR inductors

So it does look like itā€™s designed around audio quality.

Regards network (LAN) connectivity, they sell this product separately: https://ifi-audio.com/products/lan-isilencer/

And regarding USB connectivity, they sell this product (which appears to be an included feature in the Zen): https://ifi-audio.com/products/ipurifier3/

All interesting stuff!

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33

Off their website - Zen USB ā€œactively ā€˜restoresā€™ the USB audio+power streams which eliminates jitter and ensures smooth passage for your music. REbalanceĀ® actually removes distortion caused by DC offsetā€ by using iFi Active Noise Cancellation2 tech to decrease noise by 100x or -40dB in comparison to the common noise filter.

34

IĀ“ve been using the ZS for almost 2 years now and like it very much. ItĀ“s an excellent Roon End Point (bridge) and has a dedicated Roon Mode. The USB and SPDIF ports have their Active Noise Cancelling technology so donĀ“t bother with external devices. I power it with the IpowerX 12v and many people claim this is a good pairing. I wouldnĀ“t know because IĀ“ve never used any other power supply with the ZS. IĀ“ve always used it with ethernet, with zero dropouts. Just my experience. I wouldnĀ“t be surprised if iFi comes up with a new version soon (theyĀ“ve been doing this for many products).

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35

I have just moved mine onto WiFi for the first time and did not expect great results, but even streaming DSD256 to it over WiFi has been perfect so far.

I do have a decent Mesh network and it has been a revelation.

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36

I came across this useful video about electrical noise and jitter: https://youtu.be/Jvu_doQfAI0?si=7u9vidYVtUsX-ttI and explains the benefit of a Digital to Digital Converter (DDC).