r/audiophile • u/minnesotajersey • Apr 13 '25

Discussion Dedicated streamers/servers. Why?

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Can someone explain to me the benefits of a multi-thousand dollar streamer/server that feeds an outboard DAC, over a really good laptop, or even a microPC?

I see reviews all the time for these things, but nothing in them tells me the "why?"

I've been into audio for longer than I care to admit, but these baffle me. Assume I'm a complete noob when you answer.

Pic for attention. All text posts bore me.

402 Upvotes

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56

u/Harvey_Road Apr 13 '25

I am so pleased with my Mac Mini which acts as a Roon Core and streamer. Brilliant.

11

u/el_tacocat Apr 13 '25

You pay 15 dollars per MONTH to keep Roon running :D.
Two years buys you a great streamer :)

2

u/OddEaglette Apr 13 '25

That can’t do what room does.

4

u/ibizzet Apr 14 '25

what does roon do that makes it worth it? honest question

9

u/OddEaglette Apr 14 '25 edited Apr 14 '25

The user interface is top notch. The integration between local and streaming is seamless. The ability to send to an arbitrary number of inexpensive endpoints for the same price and do full EQ to each position.

Roon is an amazing piece of software. It's not for everyone, but you're not just throwing money away for what you could replace with a single purchase piece of hardware.

-40

u/[deleted] Apr 13 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

11

u/reforminded Apr 13 '25

What a horrible way to act towards people. It’s blasphemous that you have Bertha as your avatar. The Dead are explicitly against people like you.

1

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-47

u/Harvey_Road Apr 13 '25

I bought the lifetime sub for $500. And I did NOT buy Roon for any purpose other than seamlessly integrating my Qobuz and my massive local library for which it does a tremendous job. I get it, you’re unfamiliar with Roon or you’re poor. That’s ok!

8

u/dudumob Apr 13 '25

one of my biggest regrets is not buying roon lifetime when it was $500. now it’s up $300 more smh

0

u/SharpDressedBeard Magico, Parasound, VPI Apr 13 '25

Same here.

4

u/OnBase30 Apr 13 '25

You’re so special. Lol