How to connect everything together?

[Tricky]

Hello,

I am moving in a new appartement soon and was thinking of taking the opportunity to create my dream multimedia setup.

That consists if on projector (samsung lsp9), the screen, the revel m106, a computer, a synology with roon on it, 2 consoles (switch and ps5) and an apple tv.

As you can see there’s one thing missing (at least) : the amp/dac or avr.

So I have 2 questions :

Should I use a dac/amp combo or an avr (avr seems to be the best option since there is a lot of gear to connect)? And which one for the revel m106?

I was thinking of an upgraded (16 gb ram) DS923+ but I can’t tell if it’s powerful enough for roon, any idea if it’s gonna work ?
The Roon website says « i3 » for the specs required bit that’s really vague knowing how different 2 i3 can be.

Thanks in advance

 

[ChenHui]

I would also lean towards the AVR, you have too much equipment and most DACs shouldn't have that many input ports.

 

[Chrispy]

Roon never appealed to me but if your gear must be an endpoint probably want to review devices that comply? An avr would seem the better form factor for your use.

 

[Tricky]

Roon never appealed to me but if your gear must be an endpoint probably want to review devices that comply? An avr would seem the better form factor for your use.

The idea is to pay the life subscription and use it instead of subscription based streaming service (like tidal that I am currently using). But I need a server for that, hence the NAS.

 

[kyuu]

As far as the AVR, what's your budget look like? Is this strictly a 2-channel setup or surround?

 

[Tricky]

As far as the AVR, what's your budget look like? Is this strictly a 2-channel setup or surround?

I won’t go full surround but I may use a sub ( so I just the option to upgrade to that in the future).
As for the budget, let’s say 2k max for the AVR. I think that it should be in the same range that the speakers.

 

[kyuu]

Hm, you're in a tricky situation indeed. You need the connectivity options of an AVR, but you don't need all the channels. Plenty of good AVR options in the $2k range at least.

Safest bet for an AVR under $2k is Denon X3800H. Comes with Audyssey XT32 and can be "upgraded" to Dirac Live and DLBC if desired. You could also move up to the X4800H or a slightly older but higher-spec model like the X6700H if you want more wattage, and those can be found under the $2k mark if you look around for open-box or reconditioned deals.

Or you could look at the new JBL line. TOTL model MA9100HP is rated for 140W @8Ohm or 240W @4Ohm, which should be plenty to drive those Revels (as should what the Denons put out). It's impossible to make any definitive declarations about how much power you need since that depends not just on the speakers but your listening position, listening habits, etc. Generally though, I would expect that to be more than enough headroom.

Like always with this stuff, I would recommend buying from somewhere with a good no- or low-cost return policy so you can try it out for a bit and, if it doesn't work out, send it back and try something else.

 

[Chrispy]

The idea is to pay the life subscription and use it instead of subscription based streaming service (like tidal that I am currently using). But I need a server for that, hence the NAS.

I thought Roon itself wasn't a streaming service, more an organization of your own and streaming content you subscribe to....

 

[Curupira]

The idea is to pay the life subscription and use it instead of subscription based streaming service (like tidal that I am currently using). But I need a server for that, hence the NAS.

You'll still need to pay for Tidal/Qobuz while using Roon, it's just a platform for those services and your local library,

 

[kyuu]

You might also consider just getting the Denon X3800H and pairing it up with a couple of Fosi monoblock amps if you really want moar power.

 

[Tricky]

I thought Roon itself wasn't a streaming service, more an organization of your own and streaming content you subscribe to....

Yeah, but with a NAS you can access it remotely with roon app. All I need is to fill my NAS with my music, and use roon to get a nice interface on my phone.

 

[Tricky]

Hm, you're in a tricky situation indeed. You need the connectivity options of an AVR, but you don't need all the channels. Plenty of good AVR options in the $2k range at least.

Safest bet for an AVR under $2k is Denon X3800H. Comes with Audyssey XT32 and can be "upgraded" to Dirac Live and DLBC if desired. You could also move up to the X4800H or a slightly older but higher-spec model like the X6700H if you want more wattage, and those can be found under the $2k mark if you look around for open-box or reconditioned deals.

Or you could look at the new JBL line. TOTL model MA9100HP is rated for 140W @8Ohm or 240W @4Ohm, which should be plenty to drive those Revels (as should what the Denons put out). It's impossible to make any definitive declarations about how much power you need since that depends not just on the speakers but your listening position, listening habits, etc. Generally though, I would expect that to be more than enough headroom.

Like always with this stuff, I would recommend buying from somewhere with a good no- or low-cost return policy so you can try it out for a bit and, if it doesn't work out, send it back and try something else.

Thanks for that detailed response ! I will check those out

 

[Petrushka]

WiiM Ultra is now Roon Ready and can handle lots of devices,

 

[kyuu]

WiiM Ultra is now Roon Ready and can handle lots of devices,

I was looking at various integrated amp and things like the WiiM, and the issue is that they never have connections for multiple HDMI devices like an AVR.

 

[Petrushka]

I was looking at various integrated amp and things like the WiiM, and the issue is that they never have connections for multiple HDMI devices like an AVR.

Is multichannel a goal?

 

[kyuu]

Is multichannel a goal?

Nope, but you don't get analog RCA outs, or even TOSLINK, on a PS5, Switch, or Apple TV. Everything is HDMI regardless of how many channels you want.

 

[kyuu]

After more consideration I have a different recommendation: Onkyo TX-RZ50 with the Fosi monoblock amps. The Onkyo can be found at around $1k, does what you need and comes with Dirac Live included. Its weakness is the amplifier section, but using the Fosi monoblocks will get around that nicely.

What sucks about it is its a big, giant, ugly box that's ultimately just being used as a video processor and pre-amp, but what can you do. Except wait to see if the much more attractive JBL line measures decently enough.

 

[Tricky]

After more consideration I have a different recommendation: Onkyo TX-RZ50 with the Fosi monoblock amps. The Onkyo can be found at around $1k, does what you need and comes with Dirac Live included. Its weakness is the amplifier section, but using the Fosi monoblocks will get around that nicely.

What sucks about it is its a big, giant, ugly box that's ultimately just being used as a video processor and pre-amp, but what can you do. Except wait to see if the much more attractive JBL line measures decently enough.

Well, I´ll wait for the jbl review just in case, it’s not urgent since I am still in the process of buying my appartement which takes months in belgium.
I was just planning everything out
I’ll keep the onkyo idea in mind if the jbl doesn’t work out.
Thanks again !
By the way do you have any knowledge on synology and roon ? I’m wondering if the 923+ with a ram upgrade would be enough as a core ?

 

[kyuu]

By the way do you have any knowledge on synology and roon ? I’m wondering if the 923+ with a ram upgrade would be enough as a core ?

I have a Synology NAS, but no knowledge of Roon beyond what I have looked at on their website. They claim that you should have an i3 or equivalent, which is extremely vague to the point of bordering on meaningless.

It appears that the 923+ is using the Ryzen R1600, a CPU meant for embedded systems. This would seem at first glance to be under-specced. However, Roon specifically recommends the QNAP TS-473, which uses the RX-421ND, another embedded AMD processor that, from what I can tell, is roughly comparable in performance.

My best guess is that, with sufficient RAM and making sure to run the Roon database on an SSD, it would probably work fine. However, I can make no guarantees of course.

 

[Tricky]

I have a Synology NAS, but no knowledge of Roon beyond what I have looked at on their website. They claim that you should have an i3 or equivalent, which is extremely vague to the point of bordering on meaningless.

It appears that the 923+ is using the Ryzen R1600, a CPU meant for embedded systems. This would seem at first glance to be under-specced. However, Roon specifically recommends the QNAP TS-473, which uses the RX-421ND, another embedded AMD processor that, from what I can tell, is roughly comparable in performance.

My best guess is that, with sufficient RAM and making sure to run the Roon database on an SSD, it would probably work fine. However, I can make no guarantees of course.

Thank you very much The i3 thing bothers me too since an i3 first gen is less powerful than a smartfridge chip while a last gen i3 is way more powerful than the 923+ (assuming we are speaking of a desktop version of the said i3…)
Really they should have include the whole chip model.