I’m a long time tube guy too.
You need a PC to use Roon. Think of Roon like an operating system for your music, it knits together all your digital music, whether stored on a hard drive or bought on iTunes, or streamed through a high Rez service like Tidal or Qobuz (but not Spotify).
it won’t help you on your physical collections of cd or vinyl unless and until you transfer them onto a PC.
Roon aggregates all this music into one seamless interface, which you control and search and playback via a range of devices including your phone, iPad, or PC, which act like remote controls. It then let’s you play your music back, on up to six different systems, which can include playback on stand alone devices like your phone, PC, or iPad, or via gear like a receiver (if it supports Airplay), Sonos, or a Roon ready hardware device like a DAC. It supports over 40 different hardware manufacturers who are Roon-ready or Roon Tested.
I like like not being tied down to the usually crappy software apps that most manufacturers release (and then stop supporting after several years). I wish all hardware makers would stop producing apps and software and just leave it to Roon, who does a much better job.
it costs $120 a year or a lump lifetime fee of $499. Plus the cost of a PC to host it, if you don’t already have a PC or MAC or a dedicated server.
Roon isn’t mobile, meaning you can’t access it when you are away from your home network.
For me, a guy who wants to simplify and integrate all his music into one place, and easily discover it and play it back across all of my music systems at home (and those of my kids and spouse), Roon is a revelation. The ability to discover and experience new music and old favorites has made Roon the best music purchase I’ve made in over six years.
