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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
341 posts
 
Noted.  But, it’s actually easy to check that the volume is the same from both controllers.  So, that’s not the difference.

Best,
jond's avatar
jond
5,764 posts
 
I posted this question on the Auralic forums asking if people thought Roon sounded better than LDS as I was curious about maybe getting Roon. I would say most people who responded said LDS sounded better. Obviously the functionality isn't as advanced as Roon but that doesn't bother me personally. You will find that thread here:
https://community.auralic.com/t/roon-vs-lightning-ds/936
erik_squires
16,025 posts
 
Between S/PDIF and USB 2.0, USB has the higher bandwidth. You can up convert at least up to 384kHz in Roon with USB.  I just tried it. :)  No problem.

However, with modern DAC’s I honestly don’t hear a difference like I used to with older DACs, and it’s not my hearing, I’ve tested this out at the same time.


highpeakrider
43 posts
 
I’m doing something similar as a service I don’t think Roon actually delivers value for money.
However I’m using a LUMIN D2 fed by local library and Qobuz.
I actually think using the LUMIN directly sound more musical than using Roon and it’s free.

Roon although it says a single interface for discovering it still splits your local music and streaming service and for me does not deliver new content unless I use the radio feature.

Im currently using Apple Music to discover new music and mobile usage then using Soundiz to transfer playlist from Apple Music to Qobuz.

Not a single interface but for me it delivers the music a want in a better sound without the complexity and cost of Roon, I have a one year membership and won’t be renewing unless something fundamentally changes.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Sometimes it's not easy getting the volumes matched going by controls in the app but if it sounds better to you not using roon then you can save a little cash. I tried the same but with volumio and roon and roon was clearly better  not only in sound but ease of use , in my case going through the same streamer and dac. 
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