For the unit with the Hifiberry Digi2 pro HAT - I attempted to order the matching Hifiberry “Steal” enclosure but it was out of stock so I went with the plastic version. It was cheap and will do until I can order the steal version. I bought some heatsink kits to help out in the mean time. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VNSNMVX/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And for the unit with the Allo Digione HAT - I went with the Allo plexiglass. It is what it is…
And when I order the Pi2AES well, I’ll have to take what they give me there too…
EDIT FYI - This is the Steal Hifiberry case I will get when it is available - or If I decide the the Allo unit is better I’ll order another Allo HAT and case.
Context:
I will eventually build out a NUC/Rock ( IF ) I find that Roon is the direction I want to go in. But for now as I am testing/trying I’d like to take advantage of already owned and just taking up space in my closets.
Options:
I originally was thinking about using one of 2 machines that are already built out but that are idle, as in not even powered on. Even though they are idle and already built the hardware config in either of those is way overkill for this purpose.
Long story short while looking through the new/used parts and systems in my storage inventory I came across a nifty little Dell I took in on partial trade a couple years ago. It is a little better than the min specs for Roon. I think this is what I’ll setup for my trial/test.
CPU is Core i3 4th gen. (Haswell) 3.5Ghz 2c/4t w/16GB DDR3/1600
It’s clean, runs (Running win10 now), only thing to do is swap out the spinning rust platter, for an SSD and load a fresh OS install.
Do you think it’ll be OK ?
Benefits:
I save it from the PC salvage shop / landfill (for a little longer)
Get to experiment and test out Roon (knowing that performance will be enhanced w better hardware)
Has enough to get the job done with no outta pocket (basically saves enough to pay for roon and qobuz for a year while testing things out.)
I have been busy as heck this weekend with life and the upcoming work week is looking tight too but, I hope to stop talking, and start doing this week.
I’m not sure what you mean by Qobuz exclusive mode. Do you mean exclusive control of the audio output device? Like the windows exclusive mode setting required for WASAPI outputs? For the RP4 this isn’t an issue in Roon. Roon handles exclusive mode as follows (coppied from roon kb):
It depends on your use case but I think you’ll be more than fine. I’m running Roon on a Synology NAS with a Celeron processor, 6GB RAM and spinning drives. It’s working as well as it was on my Mac Mini with a Core I5, 8GB RAM and an SSD. That said, I do no DSP, stream to a single endpoint at a time and I have a moderate library (40,000 tracks).
I think the Roon recommendations are to make sure you don’t get crap performance when you dabble with the more resource intensive features.
Processor is fine especially if you clip the windows background crap and slim it. Memory is great with 12 gig and up. an SSD or better yet an M.2 drive for the Roon database and you’re covered.
Yeap. Also on my Windos box I don’t have a sound card enabled, disabled all ports and then removed the Wi-Fi board board. Trying to have the least amount of stuff going on as possible.
I run mine with 4 and don’t have an issue, you do have to ensure you run the server version.
The UI leaks memory horribly, and requires pretty constant restarting if you have limited memory.
For this “tryout” setup I am looking to just use the box I discussed that I already have to simulate what a NUC/Rock would do. I realize it is not ideal, AKA running from SSD vs M.2 NVMe, its not intended to be the permanent solution for a Roon core.
I’ll just running the core component (server) on it, and then running control from another host(s).
Didn’t even realize there’s a specific Roon SERVER version. I’d been running the Roon Windows 64 Bit version configured as a Roon Core. So you think I can re-install the Roon Server version over it?
I can probably worst case scenario just delete the Windows Core, install the Server version and import the database. Things working fine as is, but I def will correct that the next time I have a few days off.
I had to reconfigure and reindex when I did that.
And probably for much the same reason you did, I just clicked on the link at the top of the page.
You should be able to restore a backup though.
Old news to you pros but I had a few minutes tonight and I setup a Roon Core (Roon server on winders) just for grins and giggles, plugged in an external drive that has about 207 albums as a test and Bam -It works streaming to another endpoint (windows PC with soekris dac1541 connected) I also plugged in my qobuz info and am streaming that to the windows endpoint - NICE, and I am watching my DAC change sample rates / matching the tracks - Pretty damn cool
Oh I accidently sent the output to my wifes Sonos Bean upstairs once too , HA!
One of my PIs showed up today but the other 2 and the HATs won’t be here until Wednesday so I might try setting the one I have up real quick and plug a DAC into it - I got a soekris dac1321 sitting idle and a vio V200 head-fi amp. Damnit though, it is a work night so may not get to that.
Needless to say I am excited that it all worked out so easily and am looking forward to testing more.
As a test for potential use case I connected a ZenDac via USB to the pi (USB only) box took it all upstairs to the bedroom, and instant nightstand setup - (Wireless)Streamer → Zen Dac → D5000 Lawton. Pretty neat!
It was more the wireless capability / performance and ease setup I was working out.
I have a network jack in the bedroom but its on a opposite wall and behind a dresser, plus I have not toned it out - it my not be live to my switch and all I have is a bundle of cat 6 cables coming out of conduit in the mechanical closet, and none are labeled for the in wall stuff. I’m lazy and only patch in when I absolutely need. Also, not sure the wife would understand re-arranging everything just so I could get Ethernet to a music box… But it was nice to see how well and simple it can be. I am looking forward to the rest of my hardwares coming is and getting a pi setup with the 2ch setup.
I’ve put together a Roon network over the last month or so. I’ve got a NUC I bought on eBay for $200 as a Core. It’s shoved in a corner of a cabinet and I haven’t touched it since initial setup, ha.
For endpoints, I have a PI2AES on the way, and I’ve just set up listening station near my favorite spot on the couch. A Schiit Stack on an unused portion of shelf:
I have to say, the setup was pretty straightforward (despite my best attempts to mess it up). The only thing that I could imagine intimidating people is setting up the bios in the NUC. The rest is just Windows based direction following. No prior experience needed. A fun project!!
