The Roon Nucleus-Plus is designed to run “headless” (without a monitor), by way of the Roon Remote app on an Apple, Microsoft, or Android tablet. From the start of Shakespeare's Othello, Iago makes it very clear that he holds no love for the title character. But for a power user or a customer who needs any specific feature of the Nucleus, it has much to recommend it. I’d have to conclude that Roon’s goal of user-friendliness for the Nucleus has been met. StereoNET (Australia) is part of an international network of publications owned wholly by Sound Media Group (Australia). you set it up, you never need to worry about it again. I tried twice to hear any difference between the two devices and could not. My musical tastes are highly diverse, and my love of music (acquired probably in the church choir of Grace Baptist Church) has been passed on to my daughter, who got her B.S. By the end of the review, I had received a significant education. After graduation from LSU, I took a job in the chemical manufacturing industry, learning about industrial hygiene and the mechanics of hearing. ROON NUCLEUS PLUS MUSIC SERVER SPECIFICATIONS, © Copyright 2021 Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity /, Show Reports, Film Festivals and Concerts, Anker Nebula Cosmos Max 4K Projector Review, BLACK ICE FUSION F11 VACUUM TUBE INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER REVIEW, A Collection of New Vinyl for the Audiophile: February 2021, What We Are Watching Vol. So, there you have it. Roon’s second goal, superior audio quality, is far more difficult to quantify, and its evaluation will rely entirely on the complexity of the user’s system. My chosen track was from the Dash Rip Rock “Ace of Clubs” CD. forget it. It completely ... this is a very, very handy thing to have to hand. From the CD “A Charlie Brown Christmas” comes Vince Guaraldi’s popular “Skating.” I like to hear piano when evaluating music for differences because, knowing what a live one should sound like, I find it easier to hear distortion or tonal issues that shouldn’t be there. Roon recommends the Plus model for large music libraries. The track “Highwaymen” by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings is not only well recorded, but also great fun. Vol.13 January 2021, A COLLECTION OF NEW VINYL FOR THE AUDIOPHILE: January 2021, What We Are Watching Vol. In theory, the Mini would be burdened with greater overhead such as the Mac operating system and other computer background processes that would simultaneously demand CPU clock cycles. The more sources and endpoints in a Roon system, the more likely it is that the Roon Nucleus Plus will deliver a better audio experience. external USB drive, or internal storage drive. Perfect! Connect one or more external, large, and inexpensive USB drives for virtually unlimited storage. Open-back headphones: Abyss AB-1266 TC | HiFiMAN Susvara | Audeze LCD-4. degree in music and her M.S. The Project Stream Box S2 Ultra is also worth your consideration. It is a close relation in design terms to the Zen Blue Bluetooth DAC we looked at recently but there are some crucial differences too which we’ll cover in due course. Because of the size of my music library (3.5TB on an external USB drive), I requested the Roon Nucleus Plus rather than the base Nucleus. Our customer support team has your back. I learned to play the guitar in high school, hoping to persuade Berma Sanchez to date me, but alas, no such luck! It can also play from internal SSDs or 2.5-inch format laptop drives as sources. Do-it-yourselfers can duplicate most of the features of the Roon Nucleus and Nucleus Plus at significant cost savings with off-the-shelf components and a bit of elbow grease. Certain combinations of DSP + DSD may not be possible, * CD ripping requires a USB CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or Blu-ray drive. And I definitely liked the extra “oomph!”. Roon says they’re working on this. The Nucleus connection panel is recessed, dark, and ergonomically hard-to-reach. I responded and was excited to be selected. But my experience is not typical of all. The different solo voices lend variety to the collection of “mini-stories” told within the song. I want to setup a Roon Nucleus and both rip to Nucleus (or Vault) and stream through the system. Since the Nucleus is so low-powered and so robust, it can be left on all the time. cost. The iFi Zen DAC is a single input USB DAC. Set it up and With a recessed connector panel on the back and no light on the front, the Nucleus is designed to be minimally intrusive. Integrated amplifiers are available with a wide range of features and power ratings. The Roon software for such devices is called “ROCK” (an acronym for Roon Optimized Core Kit). millions of tracks from TIDAL and Qobuz! The Nucleus Plus is a solid and heavy component covered with cooling fins that eliminate the need for internal fans. Since there is but one endpoint in my network, I did not test the use of simultaneous multiple endpoints. Based on its appearance, the SA30 could well slip into a line-up of Arcam amplifiers from the past few years. Throughout college, I used that knowledge to modify Dynaco vacuum tube equipment for friends. sound of music, when the Nucleus is connected via USB to my Demonstrations are available from our Cambridgeshire showroom The Roon Nucleus Plus Music Server under review is the B version of the original Roon Nucleus and is optimized for Roon’s music playback software. A few years ago, the Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity website issued a call for authors. of use! 2020Featuredmulti-channelMusic ServernetworkedNucleus Plusplayback deviceReview 2020Ron NucleusRoonSECRETSStreamerwhole-house. And unlike home computers that have resource limitations due to the overhead of the operating system and background programs, Nucleus Servers are custom-built for music and can devote ALL their resources to ensuring music delivery without slowdowns, gaps, or loss of quality. Setup 1: Roon Nucleus > Auralic Aries G2 > Chord Hugo M Scaler > Chord DAVE > XIAudio Formula S + Powerman. 7: December 2020, A COLLECTION OF NEW VINYL FOR THE AUDIOPHILE: DECEMBER 2020, Setting Up a Bryston BDA-3.14 Streaming DAC and Qobuz Streaming Service – A How-to Series, Part 2, Setting Up an AURALiC ARIES G1 Streamer and Qobuz Streaming Service – A How-to Series, Part 1, DCI-P3 Color – What It Means in Today’s Ultra HD World, AVR-Audio Video Reciever-Build Quality: Part V. Does Your Projector Display Accurate Color, and Why Is That Important? The more I learned about Roon’s Nucleus, the more I realized how much functionality it offered. Even though the Nucleus was designed to be connected to your network, it also offers the option of connecting directly to a DAC through a USB digital output. replacement or a refund. Music storage is similarly flexible. By clicking links on our site, we may earn affiliate commission, but our editorial remains entirely independent and unbiased. box. The sound is unusually delicate for this track and again sounded equally great on both the Nucleus Plus and the Mac Mini Roon Cores. I don’t know. SQ is quite good... (calvinandhobbes) Hi @mesch .Bluesound Node2i is a great starting point. But since my system lacked sufficient complexity to test this, I am speculating. 20 Best of Big Bands Our publication is supported by its audience. Dante: Networked AV Distribution – Q&A with Audinate’s Brad Price, JBL Synthesis SDP-55 & SDR-35 Q&A Nick Clarke – Senior Director of Global Engineering, Thank You To All of Our SECRETS Fans and Supporters, RIAA Vinyl Sales Q&A with McIntosh Group CEO Jeff Poggi. The But the Nucleus can also access data from its own USB port, the HDMI ports, and/or a network. Outstanding review! Both Roon Nucleus servers are capable of streaming music to multiple “endpoints” (Roon-speak for playback devices including powered speakers, DACs, music streamers, etc.). Can you explain these quotes from Act 1, Scene 1? Make sure your Marantz product has the latest firmware/software update installed. HDMI, and your wired or wireless network. Get your Nucleus sent right to your door in the USA at no extra On only three of the seven tracks could I hear ANY difference between the Roon Core of the Mac Mini and Roon OS of the Nucleus Plus. For more than one, an adapter will be needed. “Cast Your Fate to the Wind”, Allen Toussaint Innuos Zen Mini MK III Switching HDMI inputs on my TV (used as a monitor) from the cable box to the Mac Mini, Using Disk Utility to mount the external Library drive, and then starting Roon, Waking the iPad, logging in, and waiting for Roon Remote to establish communication with the Roon Core, And reversing the process when the listening session was over, Black Ice Fusion F11 tube integrated amplifier, Emotiva BasX T100 solid-state integrated amplifier with internal DAC, Starke Sound AD4.320 Class-D power amplifier, Emotiva PA-1 Class D monoblock power amplifiers, Ashly ATX-2001 MOSFET pro stereo power amplifier, Kimber Kable interconnects and 4TC speaker cable, Multi-device input (more than one networked/internet source can be simultaneously accessed), More clearly marked power switch (doesn’t affect function), Any color option other than black (doesn’t affect function), Non-recessed connector panel (doesn’t affect function). Even for beginners, the Roon Remote software has a very mild learning curve, and users will quickly be able to access all the features. The Anthems AVR/AVPs I understand do not allow a USB input. Over the years, I’ve published a number of equipment reviews and am honored, in 2019, to be given the title of “Senior Editor.” So onward to listening. At Oxford Audio Consultants we are passionate about music and know how important audio quality is to our customers. This is a small-format computer that allows low-power, quiet, and fanless operation. It is fair to say that with the possible exception of my 3.5TB Roon Library data content size, neither the Mac Mini’s Roon Core nor the Roon Nucleus Plus was at all stressed by the demands of my setup. For a power user who needs the flexibility that the Nucleus series offers, and who wants to avoid the time and trouble of building their own Nucleus-type device, the prices are justified. With the Nucleus, I never have to think about updates because The Nucleus Plus combined with the Innuos Phoenix (which I bought from you! ), catapulted my digital rig’s sound to a level of sonic refinement that I find absolutely ravishing! Buy Now: $1,398. Fanless; 2 USB ports for USB audio devices or external storage devices; 2 HDMI audio outputs for connecting to your AVRs The one thing to remember is that better sound quality and a more extensive features list comes with a much higher price tag. And, confoundingly, two of the three “I hear a difference” tests favored the Mac Mini, and the other favored the Nucleus Plus. It’s also fair to say that I particularly like this song…. The Roon Nucleus Plus Music Server under review is the B version of the original Roon Nucleus and is optimized for Roon’s music playback software. Power users can build their own Nucleus (or Nucleus Plus) equivalents from readily available parts for less than half the cost of the genuine Roon products. Roon Nucleus only has USB or HDMI out. “Highwaymen”, A Celebration of American Folk Music, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings In the 1990s I learned to write, initially as the newsletter editor for my local Safety Engineering chapter. most of what I have read and understand is the USB is … The My USB DAC (the Audioquest Dragonfly) was plugged directly into the Nucleus Plus for purposes of sonic evaluation. answers in our help center or chat with a specialist today. Other on-the-box digital outputs such as S/PDIF coaxial, TOSLink optical, and/or AES/EBU might have been convenient, but since most use their Nucleus with one or more independent Roon endpoints, the existing outputs are enough for most users. Designed by the team that made Roon, Nucleus is the only music server on the market that is designed from the ground up to provide the best Roon experience. Our magazine, which began with the publication of the SECRETS Primer, is available exclusively on-line and offers to our readers an extensive information resource about home theater and high-end audio. Rotel RAP-1580MKII Surround Amplified Processor Preview, Benchmark Media HPA4 Preamplifier-AHB2 Power Amplifier-DAC3 B DAC Preview, Apple AirPods Max Over the Ear Headphones Preview, PSB Alpha AM5 Powered Loudspeaker Preview, Cambridge Audio – Edge A Integrated Amplifier Preview, Lenbrook Americas Launches DALI OPTICON MK2, James Tanner to Acquire Bryston in Partnership with Colquhoun Audio, McIntosh Announces MHA200 Vacuum Tube Headphone Amplifier, PreSonus Eris E3.5 and E4.5 Powered Desktop Speakers Compared, Yamaha A-S301 Stereo Integrated Amplifier Review, The MediaLight Flex Mk2 6500K LED Bias Lighting System, G.E.M. Your Nucleus comes with a two-year warranty. The same DAC and amplifiers were used for both playback sessions, so why the difference? But once connected, no repeat access should be required. At some time in the fairly near future, my hearing will decline and I’ll no longer be able to listen analytically. ... How does the number of neutrons in the nucleus of … The Nucleus units have onboard digital outputs limited to USB, HDMI, or Ethernet. But as to audible differences between the Mac Mini and the Nucleus Plus, I just couldn’t hear any. 8: January 2021, What We’re Listening To. The first piece of hardware offered by Roon, the Nucleus can even be used to play your files from multiple devices all through your home. Qobuz Studio was used for internet streaming, but TIDAL was not. The associated components used to evaluate the Nucleus-Plus include: Comments in this section compare and contrast the sonic differences between my Mac Mini used as a Roon Core and the Nucleus Plus using Roon OS. iFi Audio has been steadily increasing the breadth and scope of its product range and the Zen marks its entry level, and at £129, it is very firmly that. The Roon Nucleus and Nucleus Plus differ by the speed of their processors and the amount of internal memory (RAM) installed. The Plus version is capable of handling larger music libraries and multiple zones without delays. I used a standard external USB drive for my Roon Library. Also, by buying the Nucleus, one gets a full two-year repair or replacement warranty from Roon. And even when I could hear a difference, the differences were VERY minor. I have a roon nucleus and trying to access files on a windows desktop. Today, many users no longer bother to maintain their own music libraries. These endpoints can be in multiple locations, so a single Roon Nucleus can suffice as a musical “traffic director” for an entire building. Another valuable aspect of the Nucleus is that it can run without a monitor, mouse, or keyboard (all of which a computer would need). At the center of every Roon system is a Core. Go figure! Popular protocols like Airplay, Chromecast, and the no-compromise Roon Ready devices all work out of the box. Nucleus also seamlessly merges your files with With low heat production and zero noise, it can be placed virtually anywhere. And finally, for users who want to have different music in different parts of their building, the Nucleus can feed multiple endpoint devices simultaneously with concurrent or independent programs. Dash Rip Rock or The Reverend Horton Heat – Take your choice, but DEFINITELY get yourself a copy of “Jenny Says!” Clever lyrics, slamming dynamics, and vocals with LOTS of nuance make this cut just plain fun to hear. I made it the center of my home audio system. The miniature systems for this purpose are called NUCs (Next Unit of Computing). SQ is quite good... (calvinandhobbes) Hi @mesch .Bluesound Node2i is a great starting point. But this was one of the ONLY tracks that I could tell any difference at all between the Mac Mini and the Nucleus Plus, and the nod goes to the Mac Mini on this track. The well-recorded piano and bass were pitch-perfect and separated in the soundstage equally by both the Mac Mini and the Roon Nucleus Plus. Got questions? By the “Sexteto Mayor Orchestra” comes “A Passion for Tango” including, specifically, the excellent cut “Los Ojos Negros, Negritos.” The album is subtitled “Authentic Tangos from Argentina.” This is dynamic music, and once again, the Mac Mini’s Roon Core application seemed to be just slightly more boisterous than did the Nucleus Plus.