a remarkably basic question about Roon

Roon needs a server (they call it "Core") to run the program, and a streamer (what they call "end point") to stream to your DAC. They can often be one and the same (i.e. a laptop you connect directly to DAC via USB).

A quick look at the Roon Ready list, shows several compatible Bryston BDP streamers:

You will still use your current laptop to run the Roon server (the "Core"). Based on what you already have, you can certainly give it a try. They do free trials, I believe 30-day. Then you can see for yourself if you like it or not.

P.S. I forgot to mention the third component of a typical Roon setup - the remote. This is what you use to control and play via Roon, and can be your smart phone (app), or a tablet. Of course, you can also use the laptop you use as a Core as a remote too. The same laptop. But, controlling everything via a phone or iPad makes it much easier and elegant.

So, if I get Roon, would I be doing the same thing from the Roon app on my laptop or phone?

You would be controlling it from your laptop or phone but, as the previous poster says, the Roon Core is doing the work and it will reside on your laptop (or other computer).

Would I be completely bypassing "Manic Moose"? and doing everything on the Roon app, including such things as volume and song selection?

Yes. I will be using the BDP (if it is Roon Approved) as an endpoint/DAC.

I understand that Roon is an effective organizer of music from multiple sources; is it also a "media player??

?? What media do you have in mind? Roon is a music player, library manager and streamer application. It will not support video, TV, etc.

Thank you, thyname. That confirms what I've been reading. One of the reasons that I find their website confusing is that they seem to have moved away from the "end point" language and now primarily talk about "apps" and "devices," using the term "Roon ready" to signify a device that can stream Roon.

I think that part of their logic is to cater to multi-room set-ups, which is fine, and to selling their Nucleus, but I personally find it easier to think about Roon as an organizing app that I download on my laptop that will interface with my streamer, either through the laptop or phone, and allow me to control my music. That makes sense to me!

By the way, they're running a three-month trial, so that's got me a bit more motivated!

And thank you as well, kr4. Very helpful! 

I'm sorry about the confusing term "media player." That's the term that Bryston uses for the part of its software program that selects songs, shows streaming rates, and controls volume. It's the face of the interface, if that makes sense. I don't have any video set up. 

Roon. Is. Wonderful.

I wasn’t sure I would like it, and now I can’t imagine not using it. It is so much better, imo, than the interfaces/apps for Tidal and Qobuz. It’s like Wikipedia merged with Tidal/Qobuz, where you have artists, albums, discographies all hyperlinked and searchable. I have found SO much new music and so many new artists by following the rabbit trails from other artists and albums.

Having my ripped music (>600 CDs) stored on my Roon core/server (Small Green Computer), and being able to pull that up, integrated or separately along with my Tidal favorites, and to be able to search by genres and all the other sort criteria, in addition to being able to custom tag, is wonderful. I love being able to pull up the different versions of records (MQA, redbook, etc) and compare.

I am sure I am forgetting things that I love, but I can’t imagine not using Roon. I can’t wait to have other rooms running when I get some Roon-ready speakers or devices. I use a 10" Kindle Fire tablet as my remote control (or the phone in a pinch) and it works great. Oh, Roon Radio is nice too!