I found a cheap Roon Endpoint with HDMI output + OSD + Multichannel FLAC/DSD support!

[PHD]

Hi

I was long time looking for a multichannel Roon endpoint solution which could also display the music info on my TV and connect to my Denon AVR as an alternative to using the terrible HEOS. I've had the Zidoo Z9X (non pro):

zidoo,mediaplayer,z9x

ZIDOO 4K UHD Media player Z9X

www.zidoo.tv

But until today, it was detected as a Roon rectified 2-channel capable endpoint. But after today's Roon core and player update, it's now being detected as Roon-ready multichannel capable endpoint. I'm able to play both 5.1 FLAC files (up to 192kHz/24bit) as well as multichannel DSF (DSD) files up to 5.6Mhz per channel.



See the attached images as proof.

Roon app on Win 11:

My TV (Ziddo Z9X connected to Denon X4400H via HDMI and from AVR to TV):

The newer Ziddo Z9X Pro also supports this with even better quality video processing (my non-pro Z9X supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ via MP4 abd MKV as well as full HD BD ISO files via network).

Moreover, the Z9X also has an HDMI input. When I connect my PC to it's HDMI input, I can even play multichannel bit-[erfect WASAPI music from either Roon, Foobar2000, or Jriver (PC to Z9X HDMI in and from Z9X HDMI out to AVR).

I'm more than happy and can now get the Cinema 50 w/o worring about it's still useles HEOS...

 

[PHD]

Also, the Z9X can side-load Google Play so any Google Store app could be installed such as Tidal, Qobus, or Deezer with HI-FI support (Ziddo support says even Atmos via Tidal and Amazon HD could be added in the future).

 

[ban25]

Great news!

 

[tomchris]

@PHD
Interesting I am looking for a streamer/player capable of playing my local audio/video files without the need to be connected to the internet. I really like the capabilities of the Z9X (pro).

Does the optical out support 24bit/192kHz?

Which phone apps can you use to control the Z9X, preferably not dependent on always being online?

 

[PHD]

@PHD
Interesting I am looking for a streamer/player capable of playing my local audio/video files without the need to be connected to the internet. I really like the capabilities of the Z9X (pro).

Does the optical out support 24bit/192kHz?

Which phone apps can you use to control the Z9X, preferably not dependent on always being online?

No, because it's optical which is limited to 96kHz. There is an official Ziddeo controller app on Google Play. The High-Res music is limited to HDMI output (must be set to RAW mode). It might be possible to use an HDMI to SPDIF coax adapter.

 

[Haskil]

Here is a device that I would like to see Amir test!

But can you stream multichannel audio over WiFi from Roon without connecting the computer to the Zido's input HDMI socket?

 

[ban25]

Here is a device that I would like to see Amir test!

But can you stream multichannel audio over WiFi from Roon without connecting the computer to the Zido's input HDMI socket?

There's not much to test because the whole point of the device is to serve as an endpoint for lossless streaming.

 

[Haskil]

There's not much to test because the whole point of the device is to serve as an endpoint for lossless streaming.

Bad hardware implementation is always possible... we've seen others...

 

[Chrispy]

As in a reasonably priced subscription to Roon? Haven't seen anything close to reasonable for their limited options.

 

[Trev_VM]

is the USB output a USB audio out on the Z9X pro?

 

[Snoopy]

As in a reasonably priced subscription to Roon? Haven't seen anything close to reasonable for their limited options.

Lifetime subscription

 

[Chrispy]

Lifetime subscription

Pretty pricey at $830 and I can organize my own music anyways. High pricing might ensure they stick around more than some tech companies do in the long run?

 

[Snoopy]

Pretty pricey at $830 and I can organize my own music anyways. High pricing might ensure they stick around more than some tech companies do in the long run?

Only looks high if you think about the next 2-3 years..,but I think the lifetime subscription started at 500$.. i purchased it a couple of years ago for 700$ ..

Roon does not only organize your music, but i don’t want to go into it. Maybe it’s just not for you

 

[Chrispy]

Only looks high if you think about the next 2-3 years..,but I think the lifetime subscription started at 500$.. i purchased it a couple of years ago for 700$ ..

Roon does not only organize your music, but i don’t want to go into it. Maybe it’s just not for you

I appreciate the thought but I know what it can do for the most part and don't need it either for hardware nor organization/information especially for that cost. Hopefully they're still viable is 2-3 years, tho. Maybe if lifetime were $50 but at $500 I passed but at $830 I could just piss into the wind and tell myself its raining

 

[Snoopy]

I appreciate the thought but I know what it can do for the most part and don't need it either for hardware nor organization/information especially for that cost. Hopefully they're still viable is 2-3 years, tho. Maybe if lifetime were $50 but at $500 I passed but at $830 I could just piss into the wind and tell myself its raining

Well that’s nice
It probably all depends on how much u use the software etc …for me its well worth it and its not that crazy expensive.


But if you could get a Netflix or Disney+ lifetime subscription, would it be so different ?

 

[ObiWanKenobi]

Well that’s nice
It probably all depends on how much u use the software etc …for me its well worth it and its not that crazy expensive.


But if you could get a Netflix or Disney+ lifetime subscription, would it be so different ?

You're comparing Apples to Banannas.
Netflix and Disney+ provides content. ROON does not.
You can only compare ROON to Plex and Plex is as a media organizer and you only pay if you want it to provide content.
foobar2000 is free and with a few plugins you get Lyrics, Aritst data, Similar Artists, Statistics, LastFm and more.
foobar2000 is far more flexible in creating playlist and you can create playlists using tags which ROON cannot.
ROON does not support ISO, CUE and many more things that foobar2000 does for free.
foobar2000 has plenty of ui customizations which ROON does not.
They only component I had to pay is $2.99 for MonkeyMote which is a great remote control for foobar2000 and it turns on my PC when I run it
so it works perfect.
ROON does support multizone which I don't have/need and same goes for HQPlayer.

 

[Chr1]

Just to add that with Foobar2000, you also get to use MathAudio RoomEQ free of charge.