Roon Hardware Specification Recommendations

Recommended Server Hardware

Roon Server is the heart of your library. The hardware needed for your server machine can vary based on a number of factors, such as library size, number of simultaneous zones, and DSP use. You can run Roon Server on Mac, Windows, Linux, or a dedicated appliance like Nucleus or mini-PC using ROCK.

Roon OS

We’ve optimized Roon OS to be the most efficient Roon server available. Devices running Roon OS are designed specifically for Roon, and you don’t have to worry about background processes that aren’t important to managing your library affecting performance or sound quality. 

If you’re looking for a turnkey solution that fits most libraries, look no further than the Roon Nucleus. The Nucleus is the perfect machine for managing your Roon library, and its ease of use means you don’t have to be techy to get great performance. 

If DIY is more your style, our Roon Optimized Core Kit (ROCK) option is another great solution. ROCK allows you to have greater control over the specifics of your machine while still getting great Roon OS performance. 

Typical Usage

For libraries that contain fewer than 100,000 tracks, with moderate DSP and multiroom usage, the following specifications will typically be sufficient: 

Device Type	OS Version	CPU	RAM	Drive
Nucleus	Latest Roon OS	N/A	N/A	N/A
ROCK	Latest Roon OS	See supported NUCs	4GB	SSD
PC	Windows 10	Intel Core i3	8GB	SSD
Mac	macOS 10.15+	Intel Core i3	8GB	SSD
Linux	Latest Ubuntu or Arch distro	Intel Core i3	4GB	SSD

Other Linux distributions may also work, but we do not test these distributions. 

We strongly advise against using older macOS and Windows versions than are listed here. As Roon’s technology continues to improve, older Operating Systems will not be able to properly provide a quality experience. 

Larger Libraries, Multiroom, and DSP.

For large libraries over 100k tracks and/or if you plan on using heavy DSP and multiroom functionality, the specifications of your server will need to increase to meet the demand. Ultimately the specifications will vary depending on the size of your library, but here are some key points to consider: 

1. Your server should be based on a more powerful CPU and the Nucleus Titan is an ideal platform. Other options include ROCK or Linux running on an Intel Core i7 or i9 CPU, Windows on a Core i7 or i9 CPU, or macOS on a Core i7, i9, or Apple Silicon CPU.
   
2. You will need sufficient RAM for Roon as well as any other tasks the machine may perform. We recommend 8GB as a minimum for Roon in addition to the base RAM for the machine. For Linux, Windows, and macOS this will typically result in a system with 16GB RAM or more.
   
3. We highly recommend a solid state drive (preferably NVMe) for the OS and Roon database.

Largest Libraries

If you have over 250K+ tracks in your library, consider us impressed! You’re among the top .01% of Roon users, and you have a library most of us could only dream of. 

With libraries this large, we expect the right hardware will work, but it's not something we test in-house.

Your best bet will be to get a beefy Roon OS setup with a fast new CPU and plenty of RAM, but a very high-spec system running Linux, Windows, or macOS can work just as well.

We strongly recommend you engage with members of our user community when making any hardware purchase decisions for a very large library. There you will find a number of music collectors, like yourself, who have first-hand experience with getting the most out of Roon when the library track count is best represented in terms of fractions of a million tracks.

Remote Requirements

Remotes are used to control the UI of Roon, and since it isn’t doing the same amount of work as the server machine, the requirements are a little looser here. As long as your remote meets these requirements, you should be able to use Roon without issue: 

Desktops & Laptops

OS	CPU	RAM	GPU	Resolution
Windows 10	Intel Core i3	8GB	OpenGL 3.0	1920x1080+
macOS 10.15+	Intel Core i3	8GB	N/A	1920x1080+

If also using the machine as a server, the recommendations for the server machine must also be met

We support a wide range of resolutions, but we recommend at least 1920x1080 or better for best results

Android

Device Type	Android Version	CPU	RAM	GPU	Size
Tablet	8.0+	ARM or x86 based	2GB	OpenGL ES 3.0	8 inches +
Phone	8.0+	ARM or x86 based	2GB	OpenGL ES 3.0	< 8 inches

Android devices that are at least 8 inches run the full Roon interface. Tablets smaller than 8 inches run an interface designed for smaller screens and phones.

iOS

Device	iOS Version
iPhone	iOS 11+
iPad	iOS 11+

Still unsure about what to use for your Roon setup? Get in touch with Roon experts over on our Community! Having issues with your Roon Server or Roon device? Our Technical Support team is here to help. 

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