aspiring user - rookie questions for streaming on a Expert (non Pro)

[mdconnelly]

Dear <Confused> and <mdconnelly>,

Thank you both!  I'm truly appreciative of your expertise, and of your generosity in sharing it.

There is no Devialet AIR driver/app for MacOS post Catalina, alas (and I'm Big Sur).  So that option is out.

I suspect there are multiple advantages in getting a Roon Nucleus+, both in terms of sound quality and in the ability to stream Tidal (or other hi-res).  My main objection to that is the hideously low revenue that artists/performers/composers get from streamed music.  But that's not a tech question

I'll circle back with more newbie/clue-impaired questions when I get to them.  THanks!

The Nucleus+ no doubt makes for an awesome Roon server, but I have to say that you can save a lot by going the Intel NUC route.  There are plenty of detailed instructions in the Roon knowledgebase that makes it quite easy to setup a NUC.  I switched from using a Win10 PC to a NUC about 5 months ago and it is rock solid and just takes care of itself.  I agree with you about the streaming services not optimally supporting artists.   Personally, I have a large and growing library of music coupled with using Qobuz as a means for discovering new music - a great combination with Roon.  If you find yourself still buying a good bit of music, Qobuz makes that quite easy to do  - particularly if using a Qobuz Sublime subscription.