[ebag4]

Reading about Roon I believe I understand that it requires a "Core" which appears to typically be a network connected PC, connected via Ethernet preferably vs wireless.

Like others, I eliminated my very good sounding Battery powered Mac Mini from my system in an effort to simplify.  My preference would be not to introduce another computer into the system, but instead allow my Synology NAS (DS214 Play Dual Core 1.6 MHz) to act as the core to my Auralic Aries endpoint using an iPad as the UI.

Has this been done or does Roon require too much horsepower to allow this solution to work?

Any input is appreciated.

Best,
Ed

[brj]

It hasn't been done yet, but with the recent release of Roon 1.2, they made available a Linux version, so it's one step closer. They are looking at eventually supporting NAS distributions.

That said, Synology NAS units have traditionally been fairly modestly powered in terms of processor, so unless you have one of the newest units and a fairly small library, I suspect performance may be a problem.  Performance did improve with the 1.2 release, and if you aren't running any other applications (HQPlayer, etc.) it would certainly be worth testing if/when they make a version available.

(I have Roon 1.2 and HQPlayer running on a Mac Mini, fed by an Intel Atom powered Synology NAS with 4 GB of RAM.)

[ebag4]

Thanks brj, very helpful information.  I had my concerns regarding  processing power and ram in my Synology, but at least it sounds like a single hardware platform solution will become available at some point.

Best,
Ed

[zybar]

It hasn't been done yet, but with the recent release of Roon 1.2, they made available a Linux version, so it's one step closer. They are looking at eventually supporting NAS distributions.

That said, Synology NAS units have traditionally been fairly modestly powered in terms of processor, so unless you have one of the newest units and a fairly small library, I suspect performance may be a problem.  Performance did improve with the 1.2 release, and if you aren't running any other applications (HQPlayer, etc.) it would certainly be worth testing if/when they make a version available.

(I have Roon 1.2 and HQPlayer running on a Mac Mini, fed by an Intel Atom powered Synology NAS with 4 GB of RAM.)

What size is your library?

Any performance issues?

I am going to install Roon this week and I am trying to decide which pic to put it on.

George

[brj]

What size is your library?

Any performance issues?

I've had libraries of up to 3.5 TB connected to Roon at one point, but that is not the limiting factor in my case.

I have the 2012 2.6 Ghz quad-core i7 Mac Mini with 16 GB of overspecced RAM.  That is a reasonably beefy machine by most standards which I pursued not for any concerns about Roon, but because I'm implementing driver EQ digitally via convolution filter in HQPlayer while upsampling via poly-sinc filters to DSD128 in order to feed my Auralic Vega at it's native rate and thus bypass it's own upsampling filters.

(My speakers are active with the frequency splitting implemented via analog line level crossover.)

And no, I've had not the slightest hint of a performance issue even with that level of workload.

[brj]

Thanks brj, very helpful information.  I had my concerns requiring processing power and ram in my Synology, but at least it sounds like a single hardware platform solution will become available at some point.

It seems likely.  The Roon Labs folks are very responsive on their forum, and the request for NAS versions has been discussed quite a bit.  Roon 1.2 seems to have implemented the fundamental changes in their architecture needed to enable that eventual support.

That said, if your current NAS doesn't have the grunt to get the job done, you could likely get a new, more powerful NAS for a equal or lesser price than rebuilding your Mac Mini approach, if that remains your preference.  (Assuming you transfer your existing drives.)  I admit that a NAS streaming to something like a microRendu sounds appealing in many ways.

I should note that I've had my Mac Mini serving Roon content from the NAS to two systems at once without issue - my main rig with the Mini connected directly to the Vega, and a secondary system that is temporarily using a 3rd gen Apple TV.  Again, no stumbles for the Mini, but I know that my NAS doesn't have the horsepower to handle that.

[ted_b]

Several have installed Roon Server on their Synology NAS systems these past few days.  I have the spk, etc.  I will likely try it on my DSd1513+ asap.  I currently have Roon+HQPlayer on my brand new HQP machine build (i7 6700k, 32GB RAM, Geforce 960 for CUDA ofloading, Mellanox fiber NIC, Fractal Define R5 case).  My former Roon machine, the CAPs Zuma, died a couple weeks ago, although after building the new one it could simply have been a faulty SATA cable!    Oh well, a good excuse.  My NAA is still running fine.

[zybar]

Several have installed Roon Server on their Synology NAS systems these past few days.  I have the spk, etc.  I will likely try it on my DSd1513+ asap.  I currently have Roon+HQPlayer on my brand new HQP machine build (i7 6700k, 32GB RAM, Geforce 960 for CUDA ofloading, Mellanox fiber NIC, Fractal Define R5 case).  My former Roon machine, the CAPs Zuma, died a couple weeks ago, although after building the new one it could simply have been a faulty SATA cable!    Oh well, a good excuse.  My NAA is still running fine.

That's quite a beefy PC Ted.

George

[Brad]

I like the Fractal cases - quite easy to build a VERY quiet computer, well-laid out too.

[ted_b]

That's quite a beefy PC Ted.

George

Yes, and it has currently the stock 140mm Fractal fans (nice fans) but will have 2 more, since my Mellanox card runs hot too (as does video card when CUDA offloading is being asked for).  The i7 6700k is cooled by a humongous Noctua cooler; it's laughable.

The thinking is to build a very powerful (if a bit noisy for silentpc standards but so far very quiet) upsampling HQplayer machine and stick it outside the listening area.  Mine is in my home office.  The minimalist silent NAA is found via the LAN, anyway, and quite isolated from the HQP work.  My whole music LAN is fiber (well, fiber switch, fiber NIC and three FMCs with very short copper umbilicals for router, NAS and NAA.  An additonal fiber run to the music room for streamer use).

[Odal3]

Ted
Sounds like you have a highway in your house. 

[brj]

Several have installed Roon Server on their Synology NAS systems these past few days.  I have the spk, etc.  I will likely try it on my DSd1513+ asap.

Please let us know how it turns out, Ted.  (My Synology is the same generation and uses the same processor.)  Thanks!

Gotta find time to install the Uptone Audio MMK into the Mini... been sitting here for months...