I am looking for a Roon endpoint device that is an upgrade from my iNode2. I am hoping for suggestions from the community under the $5k price point. I have some particular desires and limitations.
Limitation: I run Roon off of a Nuc+ ethernet connected to my router. For reasons of listening space vs. where the cable guy has my router (can’t be moved according to HOA), I have to connect to the endpoint device via wifi. No, I won’t just tape an ethernet cable to the floor or ceiling and run it to another room–I am married and the bride already thinks this is a crazy hobby. In sum, I cannot cable straight into my system, and the Nuc+ must be in another room from the endpoint device.
Desire: I would like an endpoint device with either HDMI or (good, audio dedicated) USB output. I would like it to be able to handle PCM up to at least 192/24 but preferably higher, and also DSD (at the moment, I don’t think I have any DSD files higher than 64, but I have a couple hundred albums). I don’t need or want a built-in DAC–I have a good one that has both USB and HDMI input, it can handle DSD via either of these, and my intention is to use this external DAC. I don’t want or need the device to rip discs or store music. Finally, of course, I want it to be fully Roon ready.
The iNode2 model I have does not have USB output, so I am limited to what the co-ax jack can pushout–for PCM, this doesn’t include 192kHz, and I have a fair number of files in 192/24. I would upgrade to a newer iNode2 which has USB output, but this still won’t handle DSD.
Nothing listed here seems to ver very high-res or particularly esoteric, but interestingly enough, generally you would end up paying more for a dedicated DACless streamer than for for a full-featured end-point with a perfectly fine DAC as well as working as a streamer with quality indistinguishable from a dedicated one.
Eversolo DMP-A6 would do everything you want for under a grand. If you want to spend more money, HiFi Rose works well with Roon (their own software is another story) and WiFi was trouble-free across a Texas-sized house.
You don’t necessarily need to tape an Ethernet cable to a wall or ceiling. A good low-voltage electrician can “fish” a cable through walls so that it’s completely concealed except for the connection jacks on the wall, which would look no worse than cable or electric outlets.
Your ethernet limitation is a concern , Roon is often not happy on wifi depending on the end point chosen.
One thing I have used in the past is a WiFi extender as a “big aerial” and then an ethernet cable from the extender to a switch of the like . Ugly but out of sight !!
I used this one a TP-Link RE450 , I still use one to boost wi fi signal for iPads etc
It could work and remove the wi fi limitation to your choice.
