Gyp48

CT, no I don't own a Music Vault. My understanding (correct me if I'm wrong) is Neil can provide a server with Roon Core? If that's the case, and having the QX-5 as an endpoint, I'd be set...correct? Yep, I'm a babe in the woods with this stuff, but I am wanting to move up to higher end digital audio, largely streaming Tidal and playing purchased Hi-Res files and ripped CDs.

Thanks Charles, To ensure I understand correctly: With the QX-5 being a Roon endpoint I would be able to use Roon with a Melco so long as I had Roon Core on a machine somewhere on my network? Thanks for helping the beginner here.

Thanks CT and Charles for the great info. I have been following forums and reviews for many months now, and the QX-5 seems to be exactly what I am looking for. State of the art DAC, great streamer with Roon endpoint being a major plus, and now I now it has a very strong headphone amp as well. I believed it is exactly what I have been looking for. While this newbie to digital audio has your attention, can you comment on the merits of the Music Vault line of servers for the QX-5? Thanks so much!

Apologize for going in a totally different direction here. Can anyone tell me if the headphone amp section of the QX-5 will adequately drive more demanding headphones, e.g. the Abyss and LCD 4? Thanks in advance any help.

Thanks Cycles2, very helpful!

Thank you, very helpful.

Can anyone tell me if the QX-5 Tidal streaming functionality can access the new 'Masters' higher resolution recordings Tidal is currently adding? My understanding these are only available on the Tidal desktop native app and not on the wireless versions.

At this point the Diamond Ultra and Music Vault II are potential contenders. Though I have an insane number of CDs, most of my listening has been via stream Tidal. Thus, my storage needs are not great. Along those lines I understand Neal can build Tidal streaming into his servers. Similar to my question above, is there any need for that with the Ayre which will stream Tidal. Thanks to all for helping this neophyte begin his climb up the learning curve.

OK, thanks...got it. The Music Vault would serve as the Roon core. I am rather ignorant of all things Roon, but very intrigued. The QX-5 and a Music Vault sound like a winning combination to me.

Is the Roon implementation in the Music Vault necessary in a setup with the Ayre which is 'Roon ready'?

Most folks seem to think Melco is the way to go, and I am certainly not arguing that point. Out of curiosity has anyone tried Music Vault's products with the QX-5?

Thanks for your response. As noted I have been streaming Tidal hifi via Chrome. I realized last night using the desktop Tidal app that I needed to set the volume in the app (dumb user error). Very happy now.

How did your Meridian Explorer 2 DAC workout? I have found with mine the volume through the Tidal app is not sufficient even with the volume on my Mac set on high. This was not a problem streaming Tidal via Chrome. Any thoughts besides buying a better headphone amp with its own volume control?

So I have a really dumb newbie question: Most of my listening is via streaming Tidal. Based on the above I would achieve higher sound quality streaming from my Mac than utilizing an ethernet connection?

I am curious to hear how the resolution of this problem plays out. I agree that a higher end 'digital hub' should not have basic switching issues between ethernet to USB. As my 'local dealer' is 250+ miles away I will wait to see how this plays out. Thanks Blackstone for posting your experiences.