Roon Optimized Core Kit (ROCK) lets you build your own Roon Server appliance on an Intel NUC. This article explains what RoonOS and ROCK are, which hardware ROCK supports, and how to get the installer.

RoonOS 3.0 comes to ROCK installed in UEFI mode on a supported Intel NUC once 3.0 reaches it. Until then, it runs RoonOS 2.1. A ROCK installed in legacy BIOS mode can't run RoonOS 3.0, so it stays on RoonOS 2.x.

What is RoonOS?

RoonOS is a custom Linux-based operating system built to run Roon Server. It gives you an appliance-like experience, so there's nothing to maintain.

RoonOS boots quickly and works with the Roon apps for updates, discovery, setup, and support. It also includes a disaster recovery mechanism.

RoonOS includes a web-based Web Administration Interface. You can open it from a computer, phone, or tablet. It lets you check system status, change network settings, manage storage, start or stop Roon Server, and reset the device. In Roon, go to Settings > Setup and click Find next to Find Roon OS to get a link to it.

So, what is Roon Optimized Core Kit (ROCK) then?

ROCK is the do-it-yourself version of RoonOS. You buy the hardware, assemble it, and install ROCK yourself.

Here's what ROCK offers, and what it doesn't:

• It's free. ROCK itself costs nothing.
• It replaces a general-purpose OS. It's an alternative to running Roon Server on Windows, macOS, or Linux.
• It runs Roon Server, but doesn't include a Roon subscription. You can start a free trial or subscribe here.
• It's very lightweight. It's closer to an embedded system than a desktop or server operating system.
• It's turn-key. You don't need any prior knowledge of Roon or Linux.
• It updates itself. RoonOS updates appear in Roon under Settings > About, alongside Roon updates. You can also update from the Web Administration Interface.
• It can't be customized. It can't run other software, and updates overwrite any changes made to the operating system, so we don't recommend modifying it.
• It's set up from a web browser. Network settings, storage, reset, and power controls are all in the Web Administration Interface.
• It supports multichannel audio over HDMI or DisplayPort, if your NUC has a working port.

On RoonOS 3.0, ROCK also adds:

• An HDMI display: show Now Playing on a TV connected to your NUC. For details, please see Using Your Nucleus or ROCK as an HDMI Display.
• Tailscale: connect to Roon ARC away from home without port forwarding. For details, please see Tailscale Setup Instructions.
• File Sharing options: keep guest access to the network share, or turn on a username and password. For details, please see File Sharing.

You can move your existing Roon library to ROCK using our backup feature. ROCK shares its internal storage and any USB drives over the network. You can copy music to it, and back up your music with the tools you already use. You don't need to back up the operating system, because you can reinstall it at any time.

What hardware does ROCK run on?

Looking for a ready-made, fanless system in a finished case? Please take a look at Nucleus by Roon Labs.

If you're happy to buy the components, assemble them, and install ROCK yourself, we suggest the configurations below.

ROCK For Small to Medium-Sized Libraries

For small to medium-sized libraries, we recommend the NUC11TNHi3 with 4GB RAM and a 128GB M.2 SSD. You can find these components on Amazon at the links below.

If you plan to add a 2.5" drive for internal music storage, please note that this NUC only accepts drives up to 9.5mm thick.

ROCK For Large Libraries (12k+ albums) or DSP Use

For large libraries (12k+ albums) or heavy DSP use, we recommend the NUC11TNHi7 with 8GB RAM and a 256GB M.2 SSD.

If you plan to add a 2.5" drive for internal music storage, please note that this NUC only accepts drives up to 9.5mm thick.

How do I get the ROCK Installer?

If you're buying a Nucleus, you don't need the ROCK installer. Nucleus comes with RoonOS pre-installed.

For a do-it-yourself build, ROCK is a free download. You write the installer to a small USB flash drive, then start your NUC from it to install ROCK. To get RoonOS 3.0, please install ROCK in UEFI mode.

For step-by-step instructions, please see the ROCK Install Guide.

More about ROCK's hardware support

We've worked with Intel to support its NUC line. These are low-power, high-performance computers that work well as a Roon Server. ROCK supports these models:

• NUC5i3xxx
• NUC5i5xxx
• NUC6i3SYx
• NUC6i5SYx
• NUC7i3BNx
• NUC7i5BNx
• NUC7i7BNx
• NUC7i3DNx
• NUC7i5DNx
• NUC7i7DNx
• NUC8i3BEx
• NUC8i5BEx
• NUC8i7BEx
• NUC10i3FNx
• NUC10i5FNx
• NUC10i7FNx
• NUC11TNHi3
• NUC11TNHi5
• NUC11TNHi7
• NUC11PAHi3
• NUC11PAHi5
• NUC11PAHi7
• NUC12WSHi3
• NUC12WSHi5
• NUC12WSHi7

Any other hardware isn't supported. It may work today, but it could stop working after any update.

Please also keep these points in mind:

• BIOS: you'll most likely need to update your NUC's BIOS. To run RoonOS 3.0, ROCK must be installed in UEFI mode, and Secure Boot must be turned off. For details, please see our BIOS Configuration Guide.
• Network: please connect your NUC to your router with an Ethernet cable, using its built-in Ethernet port. RoonOS 3.0 doesn't support Wi-Fi.
• Memory: 4GB RAM is the minimum. 16GB is more than you'll ever need.
• Operating system drive: please install ROCK on an SSD, not a spinning hard drive. The drive must be SATA or NVMe. The NUCs above have an M.2 slot for this. ROCK uses a small part of it for the operating system and the rest for your Roon database. This drive can't be used for music.
• Internal music storage: a second drive inside the NUC can hold your music. It can be any size, and either an SSD or a hard drive, as long as it fits your NUC. Please check your NUC's specifications for the maximum drive height.
• Internal storage is formatted: ROCK formats the internal music drive before you can use it, so please don't load music onto it first. Afterward, you can copy music over the network or drag it into the Roon app. For steps, please see Formatting ROCK Internal Storage.
• USB storage: USB drives aren't formatted, so you can plug in a drive that already has music on it. ROCK supports ext2/3/4, FAT16/FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, and HFS+.
• USB drives that weren't safely removed: on RoonOS 3.0, ROCK repairs FAT and exFAT drives automatically when it mounts them. An NTFS drive that needs repair mounts as read-only. You can run Check & repair from the USB Drives section of the Web Administration Interface.
• Network shares: ROCK can use SMB shares on a NAS or computer. AFP and NFS shares aren't supported.
• Audio devices: USB DACs and your NUC's built-in audio outputs are supported, and all of them play in exclusive mode.

Which NUC do I need?

Since the 5th generation, NUC model names follow the same pattern. For example, NUC7i7BNH breaks down as NUC, 7, i7, BN, H:

• NUC: the product line.
• 7: the generation, here the 7th generation.
• i7: the processor. You'll also see i3, i5, C for Celeron, or P for Pentium.
• BN: the model's code name.
• H: the case has a slot for a 2.5" drive. K means there's no 2.5" drive slot. B and E are board-only and embedded models, which aren't consumer products.

With this pattern and the supported list above, you can work out which NUCs are likely to work. You can look up every NUC model on Intel's website.

Will ROCK run on my existing hardware?

We've only tested ROCK on the NUCs listed above. It may work on other computers, but the drivers it needs might not be there. Since we haven't tested other hardware, we can't say whether it will work.

If you do get ROCK running on other hardware, we can't guarantee it will keep working with future updates.

ROCK is great, but I want to do X, Y, and Z.

Please read this community post. A member of our community wrote it, and it sums up our thinking well.

Have a question about ROCK hardware that isn't covered here? Please get in touch with our Technical Support team here.