The view from my listening position. Aside from the marked improvement (Roon and the M1 DAC) in digital sound quality, we're also happy about the improvement in user-friendliness. Most of the time when I'm listening to digital, it's as background music while reading, The laptop or phone is nearby to readily identify the selection if I or DW either like it, want to know more about what's playing, or needs to be FF'd. Playlists are easy to make. I had already been a Qobuz subscriber for some time, so its integration with Roon made the transition straight forward. At this time with all the changes made, streaming sound quality
in the main system is on par with the analog side. The upstairs is improved in sound quality and much improved in what's available for listening. We can now listen to music with good quality sound in the Sunroom. Fun!
Blue Jeans Cables BJC Horizontal 6A Cable, unterminated
My general approach to cables as elsewhere in my audio setups- important, but I'm on a budget. My cables were old, way longer in spots than needed, not needed in some places, and new ones needed in others. My IT friend gave me a quick tutorial in RJ-45 end attaching and a box of said terminals. I bought the boots on Amazon and spent most of last weekend in my house's crawl space.
Aruba Instant On 1930
Talked with my IT guy at work who agreed that routers are "noisy" but felt that it was not necessary to spend $$$$ to isolate the Ethernet lines carrying A/V data from the router's other functions. Thus this $ device.
Roon Nucleus
Another major change. Initially was placed in the main listening space downstairs. Given that 1) it could also be a server in addition to being the Core and 2) could be anywhere in the house as long as connected by Ethernet, it wound up upstairs. Big difference b/w being hooked up by USB to an old Burson DAC and by Ethernet to the Bricasti. That migration led to updating my router, and replacing my Ethernet cables.
Audiolab 6000CDT
The Bryston BCD-1 went on the blink and we needed something to play a CD when appropriate- still have several drawers full of them or when playing someone else's. This was a budget-friendly box that benefits from the Bricasti.
DIY Side cabinets
Began as one cabinet (see earlier system post- Improvements in Music Room. I was able to use all of the hardwood, made new parts and altered existing and had a granite shop cut the old top into two pieces. The lower part stores albums, the upper portion books and digital accoutrements.
Roon Nucleus
bricasti M1
Has the MDX board and the Ethernet module. The latter is what led me to stretch the budget (purchased from a A-goner).
KEF SLX ii
Our Sunroom is a bit problematic. It is large, spartan (very much on purpose), and has no soft surfaces. Being adjacent to the Music/Library/Living room. It's easy to hear music from there with the attendant degradation coming from a different room. Also, when there's company, if played at an appropriate level for the Music room, it gets inadequate loudness for the Sunroom. We wanted good sound quality w/o losing the feel of the space. The biggest disappointment is that they are not Roon Ready yet, thus can't pair them with the Music room (yet). We're happy with the aesthetics and (given the tough acoustics) the sound. If pairing them with the main system happens, I'll consider this a win.
@flashcider. Thanks for checking in. Most of the books are 12 or higher in altitude, or as a friend once quipped "neurosurgical height". DW tasked me with dusting this week. The vacuum hose couldn't reach the top shelves, thus the McGiver solution (see new photo). The room really does need a ladder for functionality.
@bayliner, that is one awesome room- it's like, there's only one purpose for that room. As for your avatar, Aladdin Sane is my favorite Bowie album. As for acoustic treatments, as @jumia notes they're pretty much limited to bookcase diffusers. As for the big empty wall, we're getting close to needing more shelving and that's one possibility (in early negotiations with DW)
@gwiilmot- for whatever reasons I was Roon tested but not ready back in 2019. This year I became Roon ready- having been on Qobuz for a couple of years was part of it. I'm definitely a convert now.
@Jond- Indeed it is a Brinkmann Integrated- the cornerstone of my audio system. Wasn't mentioned as it's discussed in the other posts. Thanks for the complement and for looking in. Checking out your system, tubes are the metropolis of rabbit holes!
Thanks mjcmt. One goal of posting this is to pick poster's brains re their setups. Our upstairs has a case of digititis. I read iFi streamers provide good value, but also read some quality control issues. How are you doing with yours?
Thanks to pdheher and vino_david for the the compliments. @pdreher- your system must sound amazing. Your experience/comments re Roon are similar to mine the second time around. The first time I only did a trial of the software; using a laptop as a Core was enough of a hassle that I didn't sign up. The Nucleus functioning as a NAS/server/streamer together with Room is a game changer. Have a question for pdreher which I'll post in your system's comments.
smortega on 