If Nucleus is connected directly to router via ethernet and to streamer via USB, can it be placed behind a cabinet door and still be connected easily by iPad?
Sure, the iPad running Roon will access the server via Wi-Fi, which is connected to your router.
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Better yet, connect your streamer to your network by ethernet. WIFI can usually work also.
Is there any advantage (sonically or speed-wise) to connecting the nucleus to the streamer via usb or hdmi versus the WiFi connection if both are connected to router via Ethernet?
Generally no. (Though you can do 5.1 audio typically only by HDMI, except with some small number of streamers).
Theoretically there might be a difference if the streamer has a poor implementation of either USB or networking, but that would be unusual.
Some DACs are able to accept higher bitrates by USB than over the network, and with extremely hi-res source material this may cause a need to downsample in Roon if using the network input. Whether that’s audible is another matter.
Roon Labs generally recommends separation by network
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HDMI for multi-channel, I think. Otherwise, I don’t think so.
If it is one of those fancy streamers with a display, using the network connection has the advantage of displaying track info and cover art on said display. With USB or HDMI you won’t get that. How important it is… that’s another matter.
Sonically, all of them should be equivalent (barring a terribly bad implementation of one or the other in the streamer). Technically, e.g. my Rose units can play DSD512 through a direct connection (USB) but only allow up to DSD256 over RAAT/Network. Not that anyone could realistically hear any difference though.
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Yes this is the case on the Cambridge audio CXN , you get a bald “USB” on the posh colour screen. Same with all the digital inputs
So what I am getting out of this thread, I already have my router and Nucleus connected by ethernet cable. My iFi Audio micro iDSD Black Label Portable Headphone Amplifier DAC is connected to my Nucleus with the IFI USB/Power cord to keep the Dac charged up. The DAC is connected to my preamp for audio system listening.
I just got a Hegel streaming integrated amp H190V, for a second room. I can’t make another connection with my router, too many walls. Could I split the signal to my Nucleus for an ethernet connect to the new amp? I guess I should not use the Nucleus USB connection to the Hegel USB for good sound?
Wherever there is an internet connection between two devices (e.g. router and Nucleus) you can break that connection and insert a network switch (nothing fancy required - e.g. Netgear 5 port switch). Don’t bother with “audio grade switches” and don’t get “managed switches”.
You can then connect your router to your switch and then your switch to your nucleus and the new streaming amp. The use of a switch is the way that you “split” ethernet. You can place the switch anywhere within reach of the cables so it can go close to the Nucleus if that is most convenient or, in other situations it could go close to the router or it could be located anywhere in between.
So currently you have:
Router ------------------------- Nucleus
With the switch you would have:
Router ---------------------- Switch ------------ Nucleus
|---------------- Hegel
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You have a Nucleus, which is designed to sit in the hi-fi rack, so make use of the USB connector now, and don’t worry about the “what ifs” or over think things.
Later, if you want to add a small, silent $€£20 switch, do so. But this isn’t essential, and you may or may not perceive a difference.
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I forgot to mention I have a HDD in my Nucleus with some music on it. I am not using any streaming services currently. I have plenty of LP’s and CD’s. I am transitioning to more computer audio, I download Hi-Res files.
As some anecdotal data, I’ve had two Netgear switches go bad within the past few months (one in a rather subtle and hard to diagnose, but very annoying way). I would recommend getting an equally cheap switch from some other brand…
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Interesting. I’ve been using a Netgear 8 port 1Gbps switch for several years with no issue.
Anyway, as you say, any cheap (unmanaged) switch will do.
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I have 2 Netgear switches over 5yrs old no problems
Not sure brand and reliability gel …
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I had a Netgear to fail. I replaced it with another Netgear. I have two in my setup.
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Just shows, no logic to it
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They don’t make them kike they used to 
Well, sometimes certain brands are more reliable than the others.
But yeah, it probably is fine, I just found it unusual that two switches, from different series, would fail so close to each other. Obviously too smll a sample, but I will be upgrading my backbobe with ZyXel’s
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Since we are talking here about Nucleus and connecting to my core, I have another problem. I may need to start or get into another thread. I can log into Roon and see all my music. I can’t get into my storage on the HDD I installed in my Nucleus. I had to get a new laptop a month or two ago. My old computer had Windows 11 home. My new laptop has Win 11 Pro. When I try to get into storage, I get this red screen about not having access to Nucleus! I am the administrator but that doesn’t matter in the Windows network scheme. I don’t see why if I have to re-format my Nucleus HD. Help.
This is probably due to Microsoft’s SMB access changes. I think that Win 11 Pro had this for a while (at least in some variants). It seems that with the recent Windows 11 update, 24H2, they pushed this into the Home edition as well.
The change is that Microsoft does not allow a Windows client anymore to connect to SMB shares with unauthenticated guest access. The instructions in this post will help you reinstate it:
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