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To Roon or not to Roon

I'm about 9 days into my 14 day free trial of Roon (with Tidal) on my iMac. It`s really cool
I`m thinking about buying a network streamer, either Bluesound Node 2 or an Aries Mini.
Both of which come with their own App, which I've heard is pretty good. My question is
whether Roon is going to "do anything special" for me. Any thoughts?

Thank you, 
Jeff
audioslain02
jond's avatar
jond
5,675 posts
 
I have an Aries Mini and like the Auralic Lightning DS app very much. I've been curious about Roon but the combination of cost, Lightning is free, and need for extra computing power has kept me from trying it.
gdnrbob
4,411 posts
 
There is another post here. The OP wanted to use Roon with Bluesound because the BS app messed up the album info.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/best-server-software
kdude66
1,200 posts
 
Roon is a outstanding database and library for your local files and or tidal if you use that.Also Roon intergrates with HQ player which is the best music player I’ve heard yet.
The Roon folks implie that they will make some substantial upgrades this year,time will tell.

Kenny.
russellrcncom
305 posts
 
I have a Sonore UltraRendu that I'm using with a Linn Kazoo app.  I'm streaming Qobuz.  I'm not a big fan of Kazoo but won't bore you with the details.  I really don't have a music library to speak of.  My question is whether it is realistic to expect a difference in sound quality?  I can justify the $499 expenditure for that reason alone.  Getting rid of Linn Kazoo would be an added benefit. 
mdelrossi1
79 posts
 
I started with a Bluesound node2, great piece of kit. Recently went down the Raspberry pi rabbit hole.
I was using the Node with a Schiit Bifrost multibit, and was happy, until...

The Bluesound node did everything I needed, streamed my music on a NAS, Tidal integration, excellent web radio stations, and more web music services than I thought existed.
However, after experimenting with the pi, and Roon, I’m happier with my new setup. Roon is more than a simple music player, it gives you info on the album, musicians, producers, etc. It helps you explore musicians that you might not have heard of and looks(to me) nicer. The Bluesound app doesn’t do that, it relies on Tidals’ suggestions for you to find new music.
If that is worth $12 a month to you, is up to you, it is to me.

If you have a dac already, the pi route is the least expensive option, but requires a bit of work on your part. It sounds better to me (Allo Digione sig -> ADI-2 dac)

good luck
mdr
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