Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Hardware with Roon Application How do I test run Roon?

OK, so I'm curious now. How do I actually set this all up? I have a Sooloos C10 and a TwinStore as well as a QNAP 451. I use a Lyngdorf Preamp fed by the Sooloos to make THE MUSIC. I also use a 2009 Macbbok Pro that is hard wired to my network to administer (this is an overstatement!) the network, rip CD's, etc. I bought the QNAP for extra storage, but really have only used it for backups of ALL my files (computers, Sooloos, iTunes). I have plenty of extra room. From what I've read I need to:

1. Export my music via Control:Mac (I can do it via Control:PC as well on the same computer if I boot to Windows vice iOS).

2. Download and install Roon

3. Point Roon to the QNAP directory containing the music files.

4. ? How does the signal from the MacBook running Roon now get to the Lyngdorf? Do I need USB DAC? This is the part that confuses me.

5. Down load the Roon app to my iPad Air and make it all work.

If someone has a diagram of the system connections that would be best, I can go from there.

Now I'm not saying I will ever give up the Sooloos, but color me curious yellow (very old reference to a movie).

Brian

You might consider purchasing a MS200 that has a optical SPDIF (and SpeakerLink out) for your preamp. The Roon would be able to stream to the MS200 zone which would feed your Lyndorf pre.

If you have a large library and a TIDAL subscription, it is worth a look. Perhaps you could borrow one from a premium partner to try it out.

Roon has an automatic importing functionality that is quite good and handles Various Artists in a superior way (to Sooloos). It is also shaping up to be semi platform agnostic with Meridian DSP algorithms to stream the PCM ... interesting.

Thanks for you reply.

I've tried to reasearch the cheapest way to implement this test drive, and in that spirit I've ordered a Peachtree T1 24/96 USB to SPDIF converter. I'll need to keep my total cable run to < 6 feet, but that should be possible. I'll connect the SPDIF up to my Lyngdorf preamp and go from there.

So, now that the hardware issue is complete (I hope!) I have few easy steps left:

1. Export my music from my TwinStore to the QNAP TS-451.
2. After arrival of the Peachtree, download and install Roon.

That should be enough to do the test drive I want. If anyone has any thoughts please feel free to chime in.

Brian

When you do the export make sure you do a native export.

Cheers

Russ

Yes,

I started the export last night, in native format. It will take some time with >1100 albums. I'm exporting to my QNAP to a directory called "Roon". It will be a week or 2 before I get the Peachtree USB to SPDIF. However, the real problem may be keeping the runs as short as possible. I'll try to keep it under 3 meters total.

Brian

BLH

When I did the export I did it to a local USB disk on the PC, once that was complete I checked and then copied it to my NAS, I found it quickest and easiest way to do it.

For 1100 albums you should only need a 1TB drive.

Russ

I'm clearly doing this the SLOW method. I'm over half way through the export at this point. Both Contol:PC and Control:Mac simply stop working. Not that this is unusual, but I just check regularly and pickup where I left off. It's slow but steady.

There is nothing difficult about the process so far.

Will keep you all informed.

Brian

PS Thanks for continuing to help Russ

BLH

Patience is required I'm afraid, the restarts in Control:PC / Control:Mac are frustrating but seem to carry on where they left off.

It's well worth making a backup of the export from the NAS when it is all done, you don't want to have to do the export again

Russ

It took 3 days (with the on again off again behavior or Control:Mac), but all is well. The export appears to be complete, but is there any way to be absolutely sure?

At this point I am waiting for the Peachtree USB to SPDIF converter to come in. Once that comes in I'll download Roon, connect up all the kit and take it all for a test drive.

To be honest I don't see my giving up on my Sooloos any time soon. There is a LOT of cash invested and I still get loads of happiness from it.

One wonders what Meridian will do with the Sooloos hardware and what software will power it. Maybe a Roon analogue?

Russ thanks for always being so helpful.

BLH

Congratulations your persistence has paid off! You can download Duncan's excellent Sooloos library interrogator which will look at you Sooloos core and provide an excel output of all albums, once you are up and running with Roon you can do a similar operation with the built in tools, I would join the Roon forum and discuss how you plan to set up for Roon, you may get advice that will save you time and head scratching! As for your Sooloos investment I have also invested heavily but since moving to Roon I have found only the C10 and MD600 are unused, and if required I could use the MD600 as a NAS as you could use your TwinStore.

Cheers

Russ

I got the Peachtree Audio T1 24/96 Adaptive USB to SPDIF Converter (a digital connection vice analog) and downloaded Roon this weekend. Some results and thoughts...

1. Seems despite my best efforts only half of my collection exported to my Roon directory where I have the FLAC files. Not sure what happened, but trying to export again has not worked...any thoughts would be welcome.

2. Interface. Nice, this is definately the direction to go. However, interacting with the Roon interface really should be with a touch screen. Seems my 2009 Macbook Pro's screen is a bit too small (13"). So one definately should have a big touch screen to interact with. The speed is just fine nearly instantenous on my old repurposed Mac. No complaints there. Roon considers my collection small (about 1100 albums) so I expected it would work fine.

I need to do come critical listening, but I also know I don't have an optimal setup. Afterall, this is just a test drive. I'm hoping that Roon 1.1 comes out within my 2 week trial period so I can try the improved interface and also get it on my iPad Air 2.

More thoughts to follow as I become familiar and play. Any help on my Sooloos export issue would be appreciated.

Brian

Brian

Can you let us know the export you did and how you had things connected?

Russ