Small Green Computer sonicTransporter i7 CDR Gen 3 media server

[@iepdeklein1701]

Thank you for diving into the audio server chapter of streaming audio. Remember Diretta server ( Pachanko) uses 2 LAN ports.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I know

[@digitalmandave]

Thank you for your comprehensive review Hans!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

My pleasure entirely

[@DavidGraeberWasRight]

the best no-nonsense audio channel on YT

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

🙏

[@matthewhoult1350]

Looks a nice unit I like the full width format and the casework looks first class. Can multichannel audio be sent out via the HDMI ports when running ROON?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have no multi channel music so I can’t try. But Small Green Computer states on their website that the HDMI port is for diagnostics only.

[@haroldm4600]

I’m presently using my Synology NAS with the Synology DS Audio app to stream my ripped cd library to my Oppo BDP 105 and 103. Do you have any knowledge or thoughts on the relative audio quality of this as streaming solution? I’m planning to upgrade the DAC, probably to a Holo Audio May. What other type of digital streaming component might yeild the greatest improvement in fidelity to this setup? Thanks!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

The influence of the NAS will be very low if any.

[@stephensams709]

I would have thought that they would add I2S. I really prefer that over any digital interface to my DAC.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It is a server that should be connected to an endpoint over the network.

[@geoffreyvanhouwaert8677]

Nice work!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

🙏🙏

[@UfukDirim]

Thanks for the comprehensive coverage of Roon Server options. A (used) Mac Mini is also a good, cost effective Roon Server option to be considered.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

An Intel NUC running Rock would be my choice.

[@IsaacChew]

I use hqplayer w roon. And a nuc cannot have both roon and hqplayer on the same machine. So mac mini for such users is still a very good choice.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

@IsaacChew good point

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

@IsaacChew good point

[@stephendixon8575]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannelI too have been using a Mac Mini for quite some time (principally as all my other computers are Macs and we have iPhone and iPads etc in our ecosystem). However a couple of things turned my head and I got a bit confused in the process - First was the Uptone Audio JS-2 Linear Power supply for Mac Mini and also their Mac Mini DC fan converter kit (now discontinued I think), and then more recently was the new, more affordable Roon Nucleus unit. The reason for my confusion was I wasn’t clear to begin with whether either of these options would offer me any actual sound quality improvement, given that I don’t need the Mac Mini in or near my listening room, nor would I ever connect a DAC to it or use it as a Roon endpoint. So putting aside aesthetics or functionality, I eventually came to what I think was the right conclusion, that neither ‘upgrade’ would improve the sound quality obtainable from my network connected Roon Endpoints. Obviously that presupposes I’ve done everything right to minimise noise and jitter between Roon server and my Endpoints through other means - i.e. quality of network connections and switch (and it’s power supply), and I am using an Auralic Aries G2.1 or Musical Fidelity MX-Stream to feed DAC’s in some cases. I also have other network players - Auralic Altair G1 and CA Edge NQ (oh and my Chord Mojo/Poly combination) Can I just sanity check with those that know better if this assumption was correct, or are there sound quaintly benefits to be obtained by using a quieter computer to run Roon server on (rather than my Mac Mini) that I’m missing out on this way?

[@ronaldmcdonald2456]

My NUC's entrails are housed in an Akasa Turing fanless case measuring 95 x 113.5 x 247.9 mm (W x D x H).

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

That's another good possibility if you are able and willing to take the NUC apart.