High-end Music Server recommendations?

[bluecar]

I have spent quite a bit of time trawling through the forums, but I'm after a specific steer here and would be grateful for your ideas....

It needs to be capable of operating as a Roon Core
It doesn't need to do any upsampling/DSP at the core
It's going to serve a couple of different streamers/bridges via the network, but only a couple
It doesn't need to be able to stream in its own right, but if it does, not a problem
Needs local storage + support for NAS attachment
Needs to have separate general and audio network connections (want to isolate all audio networking behind this device)
Needs to be quiet, electrically and acoustically
Needs to perform well from an audio perspective (insofar that a PnP/RAAT server can do that!!)

need to keep it under £5k.

What's your view folks?

 

[alexl993]

I have spent quite a bit of time trawling through the forums, but I'm after a specific steer here and would be grateful for your ideas....

It needs to be capable of operating as a Roon Core
It doesn't need to do any upsampling/DSP at the core
It's going to serve a couple of different streamers/bridges via the network, but only a couple
It doesn't need to be able to stream in its own right, but if it does, not a problem
Needs local storage + support for NAS attachment
Needs to have separate general and audio network connections (want to isolate all audio networking behind this device)
Needs to be quiet, electrically and acoustically
Needs to perform well from an audio perspective (insofar that a PnP/RAAT server can do that!!)

need to keep it under £5k.

What's your view folks?

Innuos Zen (MK2 or Zenith) or Roon Nucleus Rev B meet your requirements. I’ve not heard either but have read every review I could find as I’m in the market as well with the same requirements.

 

[silversurfer616]

Read up on the EVO432 server/streamer/ripper. Very happy with mine.

 

[xcom]

Roon nucleus
https://roonlabs.com/nucleus

 

[albertmuc]

I recently put the "Innuos Zen MK III" into operation, currently using it with iPeng, later possibly as a ROON core. The integrated CD drive saves me having to go through external software and Mac. Comfort is becoming increasingly important to me, so it was the right decision for me.

 

[alexl993]

I recently put the "Innuos Zen MK III" into operation, currently using it with iPeng, later possibly as a ROON core. The integrated CD drive saves me having to go through external software and Mac. Comfort is becoming increasingly important to me, so it was the right decision for me.

I was in the market for the Innuos as well since it has easy CD ripping functionality. However, I just found out that the latest software release for the ROON Nucleus allows you to plug in an external USB drive and rip CD's automatically as well, just like the Innuos.

 

[koven]

You don't need an expensive server for core-only w/ no DSP. Nucleus is plenty sufficient. Even cheaper would be a sonicTransporter or installing ROCK on a NUC. I had the Zenith 3 and now I have a Nucleus. It sounds the same to me as a network server i.e. not using USB out to DAC.

 

[alexl993]

You don't need an expensive server for core-only w/ no DSP. Nucleus is plenty sufficient. Even cheaper would be a sonicTransporter or installing ROCK on a NUC. I had the Zenith 3 and now I have a Nucleus. It sounds the same to me as a network server i.e. not using USB out to DAC.

So you’re going USB direct from the Nucleus to your DAC?

 

[koven]

So you’re going USB direct from the Nucleus to your DAC?

No I just use it as a server, it's tucked away in my router closet.

 

[F208Frank]

I have spent quite a bit of time trawling through the forums, but I'm after a specific steer here and would be grateful for your ideas....

It needs to be capable of operating as a Roon Core
It doesn't need to do any upsampling/DSP at the core
It's going to serve a couple of different streamers/bridges via the network, but only a couple
It doesn't need to be able to stream in its own right, but if it does, not a problem
Needs local storage + support for NAS attachment
Needs to have separate general and audio network connections (want to isolate all audio networking behind this device)
Needs to be quiet, electrically and acoustically
Needs to perform well from an audio perspective (insofar that a PnP/RAAT server can do that!!)

need to keep it under £5k.

What's your view folks?

I happen to have a Lumin U1 for sale and it is highly rated, you can search roon community forums or other online forums to do research, I bought it couple months ago brand new.

Edit: My apologies, Lumin U1 is not for you as it is not fitting your requirements.

 

[bluecar]

I happen to have a Lumin U1 for sale and it is highly rated, you can search roon community forums or other online forums to do research, I bought it couple months ago brand new.

Edit: My apologies, Lumin U1 is not for you as it is not fitting your requirements.

Indeed - the U1 is a fine player, but wont; fit well into my setup

 

[bmichels]

Read up on the EVO432 server/streamer/ripper. Very happy with mine.

Dear Sir, since I also have a EVO432 (AEON), I wonder if you could help me: how can I upload on my EVO432 HD some music files that are on my MacBook or on a USB Drive ? Is it posible ? how to do this ? thanks in advance

 

[Whazzzup]

5g won’t get you any high end music server

 

[silversurfer616]

Dear Sir, since I also have a EVO432 (AEON), I wonder if you could help me: how can I upload on my EVO432 HD some music files that are on my MacBook or on a USB Drive ? Is it posible ? how to do this ? thanks in advance

I am afraid, I can’t remember how to do it. I said that in 2020 and not long after I sold the EVO and moved to Antipodes, mainly because Antipodes is a local company(New Zealand) and has a much better customer service…in fact EVO customer service is not accomodating and the brain behind it not easy to deal with. I am glad to have moved on and for the last 4 years I am a happy Antipodes fanboy.
There should be info online on how to transfer files on to the EVO or if you dare…ask the guy himself.
Good luck and sorry that I can’t be of more help.

 

[bmichels]

I am afraid, I can’t remember how to do it. I said that in 2020 and not long after I sold the EVO and moved to Antipodes, mainly because Antipodes is a local company(New Zealand) and has a much better customer service…in fact EVO customer service is not accomodating and the brain behind it not easy to deal with. I am glad to have moved on and for the last 4 years I am a happy Antipodes fanboy.
There should be info online on how to transfer files on to the EVO or if you dare…ask the guy himself.
Good luck and sorry that I can’t be of more help.

thanks for your reply. I tried to contact "the guy" and he sent me back to the dealer