TRM ?
Please help?
Roon works just fine on my Samsung phone and tablet. Wherever you got the idea that doesn’t you are happily incorrect. It works on Apple stuff too.
Oh, and a Gryphon Diablo 333 will work wonders with absolutely any speakers you ever own. One nice box containing a Preamp and MASSIVE amplifier. Mmmmm.
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I have 2 Samsung phones and 2 Samsung tablets. You may have just saved me $1,000.
Thank you.
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TMR is the 3 letter acronym for a used audio gear online store called the music room. They are at https://www.tmraudio.com
The app to control your Roon Server is available for damn near everything. It is just a remote control app, except with Roon you get all the art and details.
I have used the PS Audio Stellar M1200 for over a year with my 3.7i Maggies and could not be happier. I have used some big Class A/B amps with these speakers in the past and the M1200s are superior. Highly recommended!
@ [adifferentpaul]
I was aware of Audiogon but not TMR, thank you.
@ [aangen]
With some of the money you saved me tonight I purchased a 4TB Samsung 870 EVO SSD. I just learned that the ROON Nucleus One arrives needing a hard drive. 8TB would be much larger than I need.
@ [richter250]
I never considered the PS Audio Stellar M1200, thank you. I researched them a little tonight and will do more research tomorrow. They are on my short consideration list.
@ everyone
Do I need a DAC between the Roon Nucleus One and the power amp?
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Yes. You will need a dac with a usb input for the nucleus. So you will also need a usb cable.
USB cable is easy. I have boxes of them.
Looking for DAC recommendations. If I’m intending a PS Audio Poweramp, and the ROON is the only source I think I could use a DAC that isn’t much of a preamp as long as I have basic volume control?
Correct me if I’m wrong please.
I can be wrong, often …
Roon digital out is USB or HDMI.
DAC Digital Inputs are USB, RCA, or HDMI.
I thought for sure you must be wrong regarding USB connect?
I wonder if HDMI would not be a superior choice?
Thank you. I find that when I pay attention to details like this my projects work out better.
PS audio Gain Cell DAC would be an excellent choice, it’s a buyers market on the used market right now.
So this is where it gets tricky. The hdmi on the Roon core and on the GCD are not compatible. It’s because PS audio users the i2s codex OVER hdmi as a high resolution digital connection between its components.
I used my Roon core (a home built NUC running ROCK) USB out into my GCD for a while with great success. Especially using Roon up sampling capability’s to up sample to DSD 128. My GCD loved that.
@ [club_pizzazz]
You guys are worth your weight in gold, thank you.
Over the decades I have learned to make detailed schematics of the back side of my stereo racks in advance.
So this is where it gets tricky. The hdmi on the Roon core and on the GCD are not compatible. It’s because PS audio users the i2s codex OVER hdmi as a high resolution digital connection between its components.
So Damn? So one MUST use the USB because the HDMI is worthless?
My plan this morning, before I read your good news was to sketch a line drawing of the back side of all components. Label all the rear connects and know how everything connects before I order all the components.
Enclosed are two schematics from decades ago. I will start making my schematic today however physical purchase of the GCD, Roon Nuclear, and PS Audio power amp could be a few months away.
Thank you again.
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Sorry for the delayed reply, snow events (that’s what we call them in Buffalo) disrupt my life quite a bit
Sounds like you’ve got your answer. Roon compatible server with app on phone/tablet, a pair of 1200’s, and a possible upgrade to the Rotel
Keep us updated on the journey, I for one am interested!
Best,
-JP
Saturday Progress Report:
I went to purchase a “Roon Nuclear One” this morning and had to first create an account. I never got a verifying Email from Roon and now Roon tells me my account is no good so I am unable to make a purchase 10 days before Christmas. If I could purchase Roon Nuclear One from “Big River Retail” the thing would be here on Monday. For all their sins and short comings Amazon does know how to deliver on e-commerce. The Roon website has serious issues.
The PS Audio Stellar DAC has 2 HDMI digital inputs each labeled “I2S”. PS Audio website lists the DAC as “Currently in Beta Testing” even though Audiogon has one used for sale. If the HDMI on the Stellar does not talk to the HDMI on the Roon maybe I should not rush into purchases. (Roughly new $2,000 when for sale). I think I’d like to try the Stellar DAC as opposed to a less expensive PS Audio DAC with HDMI problems.
The Stellar DAC balanced Analog Outputs connect to the Inputs on either the BHK 300 monoblocks ($7,000 used) or PS Audio Stellar M1200 ($7,000 new) depending on availability, cost and personal finances.
The huge 300 monoblocks would satisfy my virile desire to let my stereo absolutely dominate my living room. The M1200 might do just a good a job and have a much higher “wife acceptance factor” except my X had a dishonorable discharge 40 years ago and any possible replacement is not even in “Currently in Beta Testing” stage. I like to joke that “I might have been widowed if my X were not so nimble”. Conclusion: I only have to please myself however I should use the discretion, common sense and good judgment single men are so well known for. (Eye roll)
I wonder at my age if I could hear the difference between the 300’s and the M1200? Could be the 300’s end up being a PITA taking up floor space? I could regret getting the big boys? Will my cleaning lady lather the floor amps with her wet mop? Will my dog shed all over them and fill them with dog hair?
With my current setup I play too loud searching for better sound quality. Lawd willing with a better system I can moderate that vice.
No one has quality manuals anymore. If I need line drawings of components for any of my own system schematics I will need to draw them myself. Roon instructions are particularly bad. No details, no drawings, nothing is numbered or labeled. Roon is managed by inexpensively conceived little offspring.
Not that I’m bitter . . .; Sorry to rant.
I suspect that I will be very well pleased when the project is complete.
Stage One - Damage done today.
Roon Nucleus One, $551, not counting monthly fees
4TB Samsung 870 EVO, $305
HP External 24x USB W/R optical drive, $39
So I am invested for small change under $900 however I don’t need to buy an Apple anything; thanks to those who shared their expert experience. All the people who helped me should know that they were helpful and their ideas were both researched and acted on.
This will feed my existing Rotel pre-amp and Sanders amp. The Roon Nucleus is shipping by the least expensive and slowest method all for $15 so Lawd knows when it might arrive.
I’m told the Roon will read and rip CDs, thus the USB optical drive. I have a short back log stack of CDs that I need add to my archive.
Stage Two - Mañana
Sometimes one does get what they pay for. I learned from several sources that one should bargain hunt for PS Audio and few brands in their price range play as well with Magnepan speakers. 45 years ago I spent a small fortune on the very best that Yamaha offered in amp and pre amp and it was money well spent in that day. If I pull the trigger on PS Audio the purchase(s) should last my lifetime.
I read up on the M1200 and BHK 300 Mono and to me a used BHK at three times the weight for the same price seems appeals to the cave man in me because the Magnepans can make cruel demands on power amps. It’s part of my nature: “We’ll need a bigger boat.” and “don’t hunt bear with a handgun”. That’s my first impression anyway, for a guy who upgrades only once every 45 years.
Yesterday I wanted a Stellar DAC, then for “only” twice as much the Stellar Gold has “Discrete fully balanced JFET BJT hybrid” what ever that is. If it brings better clarity, sound stage, presence and detail I want it. I’d like to test listen.
Then for the price of those two combined there is the DirectStream DAC MK2 and honestly I’m interested in it because of it has an exceptional reputation. For me this is a significant investment and my worst fear is buyer’s remorse. Better flawless music at 80 dB than 2nd rate music at 100 dB. If I must wait a year or two, well that what I did when I save up for my Magnepan.
When the Roon Nuclear is working I’ll report back.
Thank you one and all for the generous hospitality.
With everyone raving about the recent update to the MKII and the current sale going on, I would go for the MKII. Three main components that make a difference are, in no particular order:
DAC, preamp, power amp.
Interconnects also make a difference, power products also make a difference, power cables also make a difference, but getting the DAC, preamp and power amps right is a good place to start.
I have a bedroom TV that I seldom view. It plays documentaries and “Great Courses” while I sleep. Unless I am in a very deep sleep state one might be surprised what I can learn.
Last night I downloaded a whole lot of PS Audio videos on to my NAS and went to bed.
I learned.
Today after Mass I will:
-
Pull the Magnepan outwards slightly so the 75” TV does not obscure the tweeters.
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I will remove the window curtains, Bi-polar speakers don’t like absorptive surfaces to their rear.
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TV and stereo run off of a 3000 VA UPS. I am told stereos don’t play well with UPS so maybe the TV only will stay on the UPS.
Thank you and Blessings on Blessings to the whole tribe at PS Audio.
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I am surprised no one has mentioned Bryston amplification for Maggies. When I was shopping for an amp for my Maggie .7’s, the default recommendation was Bryston due to the reputed special synergy between the two. I ended up with a Bryston 4B3 and never looked back. In fact, Magnepan would demo its speakers with Bryston amps (I do not know if this is still true). See, for example:
https://www.stereophile.com/content/magnepan-amazes-’s-iamazesi
https://www.stereophile.com/cedia2007/091007megnepan/index.html
@ bootzilla
I have been unable to find a Bryston dealer near me. However everything I read about Bryston is very favorable. Thank you.
Just home from Mass, I removed the curtains which have been sucking up a lot of dB. I also moved the speakers slightly out and forward. These two changes alone made a day and night improvement.
Alleluia had two cans of dog food this morning and is still begging for more. Here is an updated photo. The Ninja in the black suit still hungry is Alleluia.
On the TV is Pentatonix singing “Mary Did you Know” which is one of my favorite demo tracks. So far these minor changes have been a major improvement. After further listening I’ll update the blue painter’s tape on the floor. Necessary because Alleluia has been known to move the speakers out of position.
Thank you again,
Blessings on Blessings
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I have very similar speakers (3.6Rs) and have been very happy driving them with a Bryston 4B3. With these speakers you really want to have the source sorted out. I run a DirectStream MK2 DAC direct to the Bryson. On the software side I have JRiver running on a MacMini, and JRemote on iPad/iPhone to select the music.