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@Dramatic_Hammer that makes me hesitant to put the question I came here to ask...
Tl;dr: Can I use a cheap crappy laptop to run Roon Core as long as its not connected directly to the system?
If you’ve ever run Roon Core on a laptop you’ll know it seems to muller resources and gets really hot, especially when you start chucking DSP and upsampling at it. If you’re using the same machine as the endpoint and plugging directly into your system then I get how all that noise generated messes with the signal. If you use a separate endpoint like a stand-alone streamer which is receiving the Roon data over WiFi, then it won’t matter that the Roon Core is running flat out, other than fan noise from the computer which can be put out of the way right?
I will be able to actually test this and see if there’s any audible difference, but not for a while so it’s all a bit abstract.
Stevethecoffee-
Yeah, separating (electrically and spatially) your DAC and analog amplification from RF generators is a good idea in general.
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I've just started with an NUC7i5 running Roon ROCK having been running Roon on a computer. Your example would be different a bit different as the laptop is still running an operating system and Roon runs on top of that. I don't use any upsampling but I do run convolution filters and the there are a lot of individual room speakers.
I've enjoyed the freeing up of resources on my main computer and the Roon remotes controlling the whole house have been a bit more responsive with Roon running on a separate computer.
If you can spring for an NUC I would recommend that, otherwise definitely try the laptop. I have a second system which runs off a laptop and that seems pretty stable although it's only running one endpoint.
Just don't lose sight of the fact that most RF interference is at levels so low it really doesn't factor in the enjoyment of almost any source. Any audio transmitted via ethernet or wifi should be free of added rf interference though.
Dramatic_Hammer
Airhead
Digital source upgrades (not inc DAC) are some seriously bad science and seemingly misunderstand the USB standard. Unless you’ve got a problem with RF noise on the earth connection, there aren’t audio upgrades to be had. Aesthetics/usability/etc are another matter!