Tidal app vs Roon. Wich one sounds better?

@audiotroy 

I tried the free trial over the weekend and I've already cancelled.  I could hear no overall improvement in sound (it didn't sound worse)  But I didn't feel like for my use and interests I was getting much value from the Roon platform and perhaps it was adding layers of signal disruption (I'm not knowledgeable enough to really have an opinion on that but simpler seems cleaner to me).  In many ways I preferred the simplicity of Auralic's free Lightning DS app for my Vega G1.  I like that there is no core, computer, and wireless transmissions in the way between stream and my DAC.  I use a Wireworld CAT8 ethernet plugged directly into the Vega and I like that the iOS-based app lets you see the streaming rate in real time.  Roon doesn't show this, only the tortuous path that the signal is being routed through and the ideal quality rate.  It's kind of cool being able to drill into bios and concert dates but this is all free info you can find on your own and I just don't need it in a paid platform.  It was worth a try and perhaps I will try again at a later date and if my interests change.

 

Hello guys,
I've just found out that Audinirvana since this year has a Windows 10 version and they are working right now to make it compatible with Dirac Audio Processor.
As I understand that Audinirvana should sound better than Roon, I will wait until they have their soft modified and I will try it.
I will post my impressions after trying it.

The Auralic Vega G1 will always sound better than any computer based audio output.

Three Easy Payments, how were you using Roon with a Vega G1?

Were you using a Laptop directly into the Vega via usb,? Or a Laptop or desktop into the Vega over ethernet? Were you using the DSP function?

For a Vega user Roon, if you are using the DSP function, might sound better there is a difference how and what device you use as a Roon server to your Roon endpoint.

Cytocycle thee are are many people who own the Innuous Zenith who will disagree with your statement, any and all servers including your Auralic are exactly the same as a "computer" they all have cpu to do processing, something to hold the running program, ie Ram, and have a sound card, the difference is the quality of the device in tems of build quality and engineeering, a dedicated audio server is usually built with the sold purpose of isolating and sending a clean data signal.

An Innuous Zen or Zenith does a fantastic job so does the Auralic device, a fairer comparison would be to use the Auralic as a dac with a Zen or Zenith server running Roon core and then seeing if that made a difference. However for someone who owns a good streaming dac you don’t really need to run Roon if you just like to stream Tidal or Qbouz th overall experience using Roon is far superior to the native Auralic App,

We doubt that you got really deep enough to really try out Roon it has extensive features, if all you did was to quickly run through Tidal and did not try the DSP feature, Roon Radio, Focus on and a lot of the meatier functions of Roon we don’t think you got a valid taste of the program, but like we said earlier the Vega is a good device that goes its own way, the same can be said of the excellent Lumin devices or the Naim streamers.

We use a Zen or Zenith even with thoese devices and the sound quality still improves, we are not running a standard computer or laptop with these devices.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

Here’s an easy example where a PC comes ahead of the G1:

PC - Roon - convert to DSD 512 - T+A DAC 8 DSD single bit converter

That would easily beat a G1 sending PCM into the chip based converter on the T+A DAC 

The best DAC designs I’ve heard have been LESS sensitive to the source than more sensitive, as they take great care of keeping noise out of the system.