bobh3501

Thanks @lpost that was it. I can say that after listening for an afternoon I really like the sound from this Roon/AL configuration vs. Roon/HQplayer Win10/AO on the same server.

OK - thanks @austinpop

thanks for the reply @austinpop but I have tried that several times!! Now the "show running audio services" is blank!!! It is obviously running (after manually starting, again) since I can connect. I broke it...

Hi @bobfa, I am experimenting with audiolinux on my Roon server based on some of the posts in this section. It's fun to get back into Linux - I worked with BSD Unix in the 80's which I barely remember now. I have audiolinux running on an optane stick in my server and it works great - except for one issue - the Roonserver audio service does not autostart on reboot. I have to manually start it with the menu or systemctl commands each time. This happens whether I am in RAMroot mode or not. Other changes I make from the menu - such as changing boot mode or realtime priority persist across boots (as long as I "save changes" if in ramroot). Any ideas? Thanks.

I just got into the Beta yesterday and it worked great with Roon. I spend some time yesterday looking to replace Tidal albums with Qobuz. Only learning curve was figuring out how to get ALL favorites selected in Qobuz app to appear in Roon Library. I know they say that they are still in the process of getting rights in the US but I still have a few hundred Tidal albums that are not on Qobuz - I guess a switch will involve keeping both services active for an extended time. It sounds great - but I thought CD quality on Tidal sounded great too. Is there a date/target for the full release? I don't want to lose the work I put into building Qobuz favorites during the beta.

I am a new HQP user and experimenting with roon/hqplayer on a WS2016/AO build. I am currently running roon on a NUC/ROCK but miss getting my hands dirty. WIth much fiddling I have almost everything working. I have a few test configurations I am trying out in my office system with a Chord DAC and I am also trying to get a configuration working using my Berkeley Alpha USB (my main system DAC is not USB). Everything works great direct USBto the Chord, however I can't get HQP to recognize the Alpha USB. I can select it from the dropdown device list but HQPlayer shows a big red volume knob. After stopping and starting HQP, it comes up with a "no device" warning, so it is not even saving the dropdown device selection. The Alpha works fine in WS2016 Windows "Sound". The Alpha also works fine in Win10 with HQPlayer so it is related to WS2016. Is this a thing, or do people have some ideas. Thanks. BTW I do really like the sound I am getting from HQP in the office system and would like to try it in my main system. I am hoping to use HCP upsampling PCM to my NOS DAC. I have tried Roon upsampling and this led me to HQP.

It was the original mR. I was contemplating the upgrade when the NB was released.

Hi Rickca - First - the dCS network bridge costs about the same as my microRendu + LPS-1 + Berkeley Alpha USB + various associated cables (my best DAC is not USB friendly). I passed the equipment on to nieces and nephews. I would have upgraded to the ultraRendu as an alternative but wanted to simplify and eliminate USB. The NB replaced 3 other boxes in my rack. Second - I loved the sound I was getting from the microRendu. My system has sounded very good with a variety of computer front end configurations over the years (different CAPS builds, etc). This hobby keeps evolving and I enjoy trying things and optimizing them. Every couple of years I try and shake it up - serving and streaming with lightweight Linux based solutions was new to me last year and I am exploring optimizing and tweaking it. I love the sound I am getting from the Network Bridge now. I would describe the NB as more refined, more detailed, and less fatiguing than the mR. There is a clear difference in presentation from the 2 devices. Having lived with the NB for a few months I switched back to the mR for a few days of listening and decided to keep the NB. I will say that some of my poorly recorded but deeply loved favorites sound a bit more engaging on the mR.

I have been using a Network Bridge for about 3 months. For the first few weeks I thought it sounded a bit thin, though nicely detailed. It started sounding better after breaking in for awhile (both it and my ears, I guess). Now I prefer it to my microRendu which it replaced.

I had the JS-2 before I switched to NUC/ROCK. I originally bought it for the win10 server (12v)/SoTM USB card (9v) I used with JRiver. It looked very nice in my rack - no transformer dongles or thin plastic cables overcomplicating the area behind my rack. I also thought it had a positive impact on the sound. It is now running the NUC and the wireless switch in my home office. I don't think I would buy it new specifically for the NUC unless you have a solid use for the second output - I believe there are other cost effective choices for a single output (NUC).

Chris's article will answer all of your questions

Chris has a complete write-up (Check the Home Page of this site): The Definitive Guide To Roon Optimized Core Kit (ROCK) I am running an i5 version of the NUC with ROCK now. It is fanless and the size of a couple of decks of playing cards. It replaced a fanless, headless, win10 server with a SoTM tx-usb card and Audiophile Optimizer. The NUC is much simpler to maintain (ie. no maintenance at all). It sounds about the same, certainly not worse. I like it slightly better. On the win10 server I preferred JRiver to Roon - even though I used Roon most of the time because I love the interface. The i5 NUC runs on the same JS-2 linear power supply that was running the win 10 server and tx-usb card,

After many, many years of systems big and small, this is where I'm at today. It sounds very good, even in a too small room. There is a RoonROCK NUC and NAS in an office space with the switch. The most recent change is the dcs network bridge (replacing a micro-rendu/Berkeley Alpha USB). I am off the usb merry-go-round for awhile.

Hi Coot - I use Auralex Subdudes under my subs (actually the Gramma version which is larger).

Hi Beowolf - the caps2 motherboard cannot use the switching power supply that comes in the Origen case. It is a laptop style motherboard with a DC input jack for an outboard 12v power supply. I believe that Chris recommends the Origen case because it is both well made and looks very good - if you agree, you can use it and just remove the internal PS. I use a different Origen case for my HTPC that uses a standard mATX motherboard, but for my CAPS V2 PC I use a Silverstone case. It looks pretty nice and has a smaller footprint (and is cheaper) than the Origen. Like the Origen, it came with a custom sized power supply - this is common with SFF PC cases as the design may not accomodate a standard ATX sized power supply. I don't believe the case is critical to the build as long as you account for appropriate ventilation especially if you plan to run without any fans, per Chris' recommendation. If you want to splurge, you can look at an A-Tech Fabrication case (like the mini-client 2500) which looks even nicer (and more like a stereo component) than the Origen! Bob