Getting Started

ihmeyers · Aug 8, 2020

I have been an audiophile for more than 40 years and know the ins and outs of most amps, preamps, turntables, cables, etc. My knowledge of computer based audio however is barely passable at best.

I bought a Lumin T2 about 8 months ago to give computer based audio a try. I read up on Roon, liked it and purchased it. I downloaded a bunch of music I store on my desktop PC and now can stream that through Roon to the Lumin (which feeds a Lampi Golden Atlantic TRP). Everything I have read says that a multi-purpose windows PC is not the optimal way to extract sound quality from Roon and my music files. I am interested in setting up a stand-alone box just to use Roon. That's way I get confused. I got close to buying an Antipodes (used) but the reviews I read talked about connecting the USB out of the Antipodes to a DAC. That's not what I want to do. I just want another 'PC' just running Roon. I've looked at the Tube Audio USA Roon server solution but I wasn't 100% convinced I wanted to spend $3000 on one (I never see them used). Maybe a Roon Nucleus or Nucleus+? I know there are many on the board doing exactly what I want to do. Any suggestions? Any prebuilt Roon server you'd like to sell?

Thanks very much.
Ian
Boynton Beach, Florida

Kal Rubinson · Aug 9, 2020

ihmeyers said:
Everything I have read says that a multi-purpose windows PC is not the optimal way to extract sound quality from Roon and my music files.

Then you haven't read everything.

ihmeyers said:
Maybe a Roon Nucleus or Nucleus+?

An excellent starting point.

ihmeyers · Aug 9, 2020

Thanks very much Kal. Maybe I missed an article that disagreed with my statement on multi-purpose WIndows PCs, but I recall reading that the multitude of background programs as well as the design itself generated a lot of digital noise. On my PC I will frequently have Firefox or Chrome open, Excel, Word, Plex, etc in addition to Roon. My system sounds good so maybe there isn't as much noise being generated as I feared.

Kal Rubinson · Aug 9, 2020

ihmeyers said:
Thanks very much Kal. Maybe I missed an article that disagreed with my statement on multi-purpose WIndows PCs, but I recall reading that the multitude of background programs as well as the design itself generated a lot of digital noise.

I have yet to see strong evidence that additional PC activity generates "digital noise" that effects the digital output sent via a good digital interface to a well-isolated DAC input. Remember, the computer is not processing music, only data and if the data is bit-perfect, it is bit-perfect (timing included). Of course, these other options can compromise data processing bandwidth but that's a matter of having enough CPU for what is needed.

ihmeyers said:
My system sounds good so maybe there isn't as much noise being generated as I feared.

How would you recognize that noise?

ihmeyers · Aug 9, 2020

I don't dispute your expertise Kal, but when I just swapped the $2 PC cable for a custom 12ga Furutech I had sitting around the difference was night and day. Everything was better,bass output, width, height, naturalness of vocals. If that isn't due to cleaner power (i.e. less noise) into the PC I can't come up with anything else it could be.

Kal Rubinson · Aug 9, 2020

I don't dispute your observations but I have had no confirming experience or (horrors) measurements to validate it.

ihmeyers · Aug 9, 2020

I'm perfectly willing to accept that for whatever reason, mine is a particular noisy set-up. I really didn't think it would make a difference. My son had to scoot behind things to swap cables (he grimaces when I ask for help) so I'm glad it did matter.

Gregm · Aug 10, 2020

ihmeyers said:
I'm perfectly willing to accept that for whatever reason, mine is a particular noisy set-up. I really didn't think it would make a difference.

If you feel that noise is the issue, it might be worth cleaning up your mains. An isolation transformer outputting balanced power could be a simple, low-cost solution. I hooked up my digital devices on such a device and couldn't be happier; low-level detail & low frequencies became allegedly, the transformer not only cleans the incoming power but also protects devices dumping noise into the circuit...

td19 · Aug 12, 2020

ihmeyers said:
I have been an audiophile for more than 40 years and know the ins and outs of most amps, preamps, turntables, cables, etc. My knowledge of computer based audio however is barely passable at best .....

I bought a Lumin T2 about 8 months ago to give computer based audio a try. I read up on Roon, liked it and purchased it. I downloaded a bunch of music I store on my desktop PC and now can stream that through Roon to the Lumin (which feeds a Lampi Golden Atlantic TRP). Everything I have read says that a multi-purpose windows PC is not the optimal way to extract sound quality from Roon and my music files. I am interested in setting up a stand-alone box just to use Roon. That's way I get confused. I got close to buying an Antipodes (used) but the reviews I read talked about connecting the USB out of the Antipodes to a DAC. That's not what I want to do. I just want another 'PC' just running Roon. I've looked at the Tube Audio USA Roon server solution but I wasn't 100% convinced I wanted to spend $3000 on one (I never see them used). Maybe a Roon Nucleus or Nucleus+? I know there are many on the board doing exactly what I want to do. Any suggestions? Any prebuilt Roon server you'd like to sell?

Thanks very much.
Ian
Boynton Beach, Florida

The Antipodes would run Roon Core and Roon Ready connected via USB to your Lampizator DAC. Actually, the same as a Roon Nucleus would.

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Getting Started

ihmeyers

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Kal Rubinson

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ihmeyers

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Kal Rubinson

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ihmeyers

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Kal Rubinson

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ihmeyers

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Gregm

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td19

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