[snatex]

Was hoping for some help and opinions on picking out the last components for my desktop headphone system running Tidal/Roon. I have my core, dac, amp and headphones bought. I'm just considering options for what to use as the digital source and how to feed it to the dac. I will be using 100% Tidal hifi/masters for content and Roon for control.

Option 1 - Mac Mini (Core) > USB > v850 > v280

Option 2 (+~$400) - Mac Mini (Core) > USB > X-SPDIF2 (AES) > v850 > v280 > Elex

Option 3 (+~$500) - Mac Mini (Core) Router > Cat5 > SOTM SMS200 w LPSU (USB) > v850 > v280 > Elex

Option 4 (+~$500) - Mac Mini (Core) Router > Cat5 > Bluesound Node 2i (COAX) > v850 > v280 > Elex

Option 5 (+~$200) - Mac Mini (Core) Router > Cat5 > Allo USBridge (USB) > v850 > v280 > Elex

Other recommendations?

 

[Nik74]

With a different Dac and amp but very similar need for advice so following your thread

 

[earChasm]

Was hoping for some help and opinions on picking out the last components for my desktop headphone system running Tidal/Roon. I have my core, dac, amp and headphones bought. I'm just considering options for what to use as the digital source and how to feed it to the dac. I will be using 100% Tidal hifi/masters for content and Roon for control.

Option 1 - Mac Mini (Core) > USB > v850 > v280

Option 2 (+~$400) - Mac Mini (Core) > USB > X-SPDIF2 (AES) > v850 > v280 > Elex

Option 3 (+~$500) - Mac Mini (Core) Router > Cat5 > SOTM SMS200 w LPSU (USB) > v850 > v280 > Elex

Option 4 (+~$500) - Mac Mini (Core) Router > Cat5 > Bluesound Node 2i (COAX) > v850 > v280 > Elex

Option 5 (+~$200) - Mac Mini (Core) Router > Cat5 > Allo USBridge (USB) > v850 > v280 > Elex

Other recommendations?

Instead of MacOS you could use the Elac Discovery with the included Roon light license. That is, if you don't mind giving up DSP. You can use it as a Roon streamer or as Roon server only. Thus forwarding your music to anotner Roon point.

 

[snatex]

I decided to pull the trigger on Option 3.