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Sound quality of Roon vs. Lighting

I’d like some feedback from the more experienced users here.  I have an Auralic Aries G2 streamer.  I also have Roon Core running on a Mac Mini.  This allows me to compare the sound quality of Roon vs. Auralic’s Lightning app.  Complicating things are that the Auralic has filter options and I can send data to my DAC via USB or S/PDIF etc.  A couple of quick details
1) I’ve found that I prefer USB to S/PDIF going into my DAC.
2) I’m using the filter Auralic says is most preferred by listeners (smooth w/ little pre-ringing).
3) When running Roon - I’m not doing any processing - no up conversion, equalization, etc.


Am I imagining that Lighting sounds slightly better than Roon?

Of course, Roon is a much better interface than Lighting but Lightning is usable - and doesn’t cost me anything.

So the question is - have others experienced this?  Or, do I need to tweak Roon to get the best out of it?  I know Audiotroy would suggest I do some up-conversion w/in Roon but over USB I can only do up to 192k - correct?

Can some of you suggest to me what settings I should try in Roon to get the best out of it?  Or, should I try different filter settings on the Auralic?  Too many variables....

Best, 
mgrif104
mgrif104 OP
350 posts
 
audphile1 - thanks for the feedback.  Now that I’ve been using LDS more, it’s pretty clear that it sounds better than Roon.  Re the interface - no question Roon is better in that regard. However, like you, sound is more important to me so I’m going to drop Roon.  And, I can find what I want through LDS easily enough.  

I wonder if our experiences are echoed by other platforms. For instance, does music via the Lumin app sound better than via Roon? Same for Innuos.  I know there are some users of devices much more expensive than the ones we’re using that swear by Roon.  I wonder if they’re actually missing out on in some way,  I’ll likely never know...
Best,
mgrif104
dpac996's avatar
dpac996
709 posts
 
Very interesting discussion; I have noticed variation in SQ with Roon over the past 18 months; used many different PC’s including OSX and some dedicated Roon core servers; 
IMHO, I think much of this SQ variation has to do with USB. The hallmark signature of the degradation is the same; sounds less dynamic, less open, top end sounds mid fi. Reboots /rejiggering USB always restored SQ;
Ever since I moved to a dac with Ethernet renderer this “sonic crapification” has disappeared; I run the streams from Qobuz directly to the Eth renderer wo/ Roon often; but when I want to stream local DSD I use Roon over ETH network; the SQ has been excellent;
YMMV, as always.


macdude
187 posts
 

@mgrif104 Yes, the Lumin app sounds better than Roon.

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