In-Memory playback from Roon Core mode

[alextanght]

Hi All,

I am using ZenMini MK3, and my dealer told me that the Sense OS will automatically use In-Memory playback to improve the SQ. But that doesn't apply to running it as a Roon Core. Unless you also enable the Squeezebox support in Roon, it can use In-Memory playback as well.

Is this the case? Are there any SQ and drawbacks or limitations I need to consider?

Thanks, and looking forward to your advice.
Alex

 

[Stephen Healy]

Hi Alex, the dealer was correct that Sense does in-memory playback, but Roon does not.
One correction however, is that even in the Roon experimental Squeezebox mode option that we have, this still cannot use in-memory playback. What it does is replace the Roon player engine one with the Squeezelite player, but we cannot combine our in-memory playback into this, it causes too much instability in Roon. So, this experimental feature does help improve things, but is still not on the same level as native Sense playback. It also cannot play any resolutions higher than DSD64.
Do also note that it only applies to do the direct audio output of a ZENmini to a DAC; over a network to a separate renderer it would not make any difference, i believe.

 

[alextanght]

Hi Alex, the dealer was correct that Sense does in-memory playback, but Roon does not.
One correction however, is that even in the Roon experimental Squeezebox mode option that we have, this still cannot use in-memory playback. What it does is replace the Roon player engine one with the Squeezelite player, but we cannot combine our in-memory playback into this, it causes too much instability in Roon. So, this experimental feature does help improve things, but is still not on the same level as native Sense playback. It also cannot play any resolutions higher than DSD64.
Do also note that it only applies to do the direct audio output of a ZENmini to a DAC; over a network to a separate renderer it would not make any difference, i believe.

Thanks Stephen.

How about making the ZenMini an Innous endpoint mode and connecting Roon via the Squeezebox player? I understand that this will be limited to 192k and dsdx1 only.

As I found, Innuos endpoint mode will also turn off ripping and library functions, which I hope will improve SQ with fewer functions running.

 

[Stephen Healy]

Thanks Stephen.

How about making the ZenMini an Innous endpoint mode and connecting Roon via the Squeezebox player? I understand that this will be limited to 192k and dsdx1 only.

As I found, Innuos endpoint mode will also turn off ripping and library functions, which I hope will improve SQ with fewer functions running.

Putting in Endpoint mode won't benefit things much - running either as Roon Core or Endpoint disables Sense library management, but keeps ripping, import, and backup facilities available. These are passive functions though, they don't create noise or disruption unless they are actively processing a task.

Do also keep in mind that if you are in fact playing local files stored in the ZENmini, then these files have to be sent back to be processed through the Roon Core only to be sent back to the ZENmini again to be played, so the amount of network latency and activity this creates is the far bigger concern/detriment to sound.

Putting the ZENmini in to an 'Innuos Endpoint' may work via Squeeze support enabled within Roon Core, this is not something i have actually tested before. Theoretically it could work, but it could clash with the instance of LMS running on the ZENmini. Also, Roon is making an emulation of LMS - I don't know what the implication of this is in terms of which actual playback engine is being used and its consequential impact on sound.
But certainly if you are feeling curious then feel free to give it a try and report back your findings!