Which hardware only for streaming

Roon Software Discussion
1

Good morning, I have a Naim ND5XS2 and I’m considering of using Roon to stream music from Qobuz.
I don’t have local library, I will only us it for streaming and I’m wondering if using ROCK on Intel device will improve my experience with Roon for only streaming or if it will be exactly the same if I install Roon Core on a Macbook or PC ?
The ROCK or the PC/Macbook will be connected to the Naim streamer network by Wifi or RJ45

If ROCK is better for this use than a PC or a Macbook, does a Intel NUC i3 is good for only streaming or do I need a i7 ?

Thanks for your help

2

Hi Vincent,

A PC or a Mac running Roon Core will work just fine.

A NUC running ROCK has the advantage of being a “set and forget” solution. It will update all by itself and you’ll be sure there won’t be any problems with operating system updates like there have been with MacOS a few times.

A NUC i3 will be fine for streaming Qobuz.

Use RJ45 connections if you can. Some users have problems with Wifi.

Enjoy.

3

Hi Frank,
Thanks a lot for your help and advices

4

And what do you think about using a Raspberry Pi to run ROCK ?
I read that it’s not powerful enough, but perhaps it changed
What do you think about that ?

Sorry for these questions but I’m not really confident with computer

Thanks

5

A pi can’t be used as a roon server.
If you want to save some cash buy a nuc 2nd hand.

6

You specifically asked if running Roon on a NUC will improve your experience. I think it will be the best experience possible now and in the future. Not necessarily better or worse but certainly consistent.

7

Ok, thanks for your answer
I tried to find a second hand Nuc 10 here in France, it’s not really easy
We find a lot of 6 to 8th generation but not 10th

8

Ok, thanks @Henry_McLeod

9

You don’t need a 10th. The 8th generation would be fine.

10

Ok thanks for the information
I was looking for a 10th generation because of what is written here https://help.roonlabs.com/portal/en/kb/articles/roon-optimized-core-kit

11

They are reccomending the most up to date but supported are

  1. We have worked with Intel to support its Intel NUC line of products. They are low power high performance easy to install units that work very nicely as a Roon Core Server. The models we support are:

  2. NUC5i3xxx

  3. NUC5i5xxx

  4. NUC6i3SYx

  5. NUC6i5SYx

  6. NUC7i3BNx

  7. NUC7i5BNx

  8. NUC7i7BNx

  9. NUC7i3DNx

  10. NUC7i5DNx

  11. NUC7i7DNx

  12. NUC8i3BEx

  13. NUC8i5BEx

  14. NUC8i5BEx

  15. NUC8i7BEx

  16. NUC10i3FNx

  17. NUC10i5FNx

  18. NUC10i7FNx

12

thanks a lot

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